Chapter Eleven: Clint

Chapter Eleven – Clint

Clint and Martha stood in the middle of a mountain meadow facing each other. He watched Martha’s face intently, trying to gauge her reaction to what he had just revealed. “I know it’s a lot to take in,” he said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. “I’m a shifter, Martha. A bear shifter.”

The words hung in the air between them, the only sound the faint rustling of the wind through the trees.

“A shifter, is that what you call...what happened?” Martha’s eyes widened in surprise, and then confusion, as she tried to process what she’d seen. Clint could see the questions forming in her mind, the disbelief and uncertainty warring in her expression.

“Yeah, a shifter.” Clint nodded, unsure what else to say. It was as if his mind had gone blank, perhaps through fear that Martha might reject him.

“What does that mean, exactly?” she asked finally, her voice soft and hesitant.

Clint took a deep breath, bracing himself for her reaction to his next words. “It means that we’re fated to be together, Martha,” he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. “And I think you already know there’s a connection between us.” He took her hand in his, hoping she could feel the sincerity in his touch. “You do, don’t you?”

Martha slowly nodded her head, her gaze never leaving Clint’s. “I do. I don’t understand it, but I do feel...something.”

She was struggling to come to terms with the reality of his words, and Clint could sense her fear and uncertainty. He wanted so badly to reassure her that everything would be all right, but words were easy. He needed to prove to her that everything would be fine.

More than fine, his bear said. Perfect.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Clint replied.

“It is. Even though I’ve felt there was something between us from the moment we touched when you checked me in,” she said finally, her voice barely more than a whisper. “But believing what I saw...that’s tougher.” She paused, letting out a shaky breath before continuing. “It’s hard to believe, even though I saw it with my own eyes, Clint.”

Her voice trailed off as she looked away from him, lost in thought. Clint’s heart raced as he waited for Martha’s next words. He wanted so badly for her to accept him for who he was and believe in their connection, but there was still so much fear in Martha’s eyes.

“Come on,” he said gently, taking her hand. “Let’s get out of here.” He pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as they started walking away from the meadow and back toward the truck.

“What about the shack?” Martha asked. “You showed me you were a shifter for a reason. And that reason is connected to the backpack we found in the shack.”

“Possibly,” he told her.

“Possibly,” Martha repeated. “Are you being deliberately evasive?”

“Yes,” Clint replied, “the thing is...” He paused, and she stopped walking and turned to face him, her expression firm.

You’re going to have to tell her,his bear said.

I know I don’t want to add any more stress. She looks pale, and so cold.His forehead creased as he took in her pinched features and skin as white as the snow. All the color seemed to have drained from her face.

And it was all his fault. What if she got sick from being out here in the cold?

“The thing is?” Martha’s teeth chattered but still she jutted out her chin, ready to do battle with him.

“The thing is...” Clint hesitated. He could lie and tell her that he was certain that no one had been staying in the shack for weeks, that the backpack had likely been dumped by some kids messing around up here in the summer.

But lying was not an option when it came to his mate.

“The thing is to do with...shifters.” Martha was smart. She’d picked up on his hesitation and figured out the reason.

“Yes,” Clint replied firmly, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Whoever is staying in the shack is a shifter.”

Clint glanced back toward the shack, pushing his shifter senses to their limit to check that whoever had been staying in the shack wasn’t close by. But there was no one there. He could sense that much, although he couldn’t be sure how long ago they’d left.

Or when they’d be back.

Because we don’t have a crystal ball,his bear chuckled, in good spirits after his encounter with their mate.

“How can you be so sure?” Martha asked.

“Because I have enhanced senses.” He shrugged and cracked a grin as Martha opened her mouth to speak. “Yes, it’s a shifter thing.”

“You have enhanced senses?” Martha’s arms were tightly crossed over her chest, forming a barrier between them as she leaned in, studying him with the intensity of someone who’d just stumbled upon a mystery they were desperate to solve.

“All shifters do,” Clint admitted.

“And what do your shifter senses tell you?” Martha’s curiosity was piqued by this unexpected revelation, an infinitely better response than her freaking out over his unique abilities.

“They tell me that a male bear shifter has been staying there for a while. That he was there recently, but I’m not sure exactly when he left.” Clint took a deep breath. “I know he’s not anywhere within a mile or so.”

Martha turned around and looked out into the distant trees. “You can see that far?”

“No,” Clint sucked in a breath. “I have something that I suppose you could call a sixth sense.”

Martha was instantly captivated. Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward, eager to hear more. “A sixth sense?” she murmured. “Please explain more.”

“You’re very direct.” Clint’s lips curled in a relieved grin at the fact that his mate wasn’t freaking out about this bizarre turn of events.

His bear chuckled. Martha came here to find a home, instead she found us.

Yeah, she sure got more than she bargained for, Clint replied. But in a good way. At least, I hope she sees it as good.

“I’m a lawyer,” Martha told him. “At least I was until a couple of days ago when I quit to move here.”

“A lawyer.” Clint didn’t hide his surprise.

“Hey, you just told me you are a bear shifter and I’m okay with that. But you learn I’m a lawyer and you look at me as if I’m a freak.” Martha’s head tipped to one side, her brows arched in inquiry. Clint couldn’t tell if she was flirting or giving him a hard time.

“I didn’t mean it like that...” Clint was wary not to dig himself into a hole he might not be able to climb out of.

“So tell me what you do mean,” Martha replied. “I want to understand everything about you.”

“I don’t know if that’s possible. Can you ever know everything about a person?” Clint asked. “Even ourselves.”

“You’re right. We can never know everything about another person. But if we know their heart, their true essence, isn’t that enough?” Her voice caught in her throat. “And I think today you showed me your true essence.”

Clint smiled. “There’s so much more to me than what I showed you today. This is just the beginning of me revealing myself to you.” He stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders, their eyes meeting in a silent promise that he would show her more, and she would discover even deeper layers to him as time went on. “But for now, I think it’s time to go. We can talk more in the truck.” He glanced up at the sky, noting the fading light of day. “I’m worried you’re getting cold.”

Martha smiled as she looked up into Clint’s eyes. “I am cold,” she admitted. “I hadn’t realized how cold with all the excitement of meeting your bear.”

“One thing you should know about me is that you are my mate, and that makes you the most important person in my world,” Clint told her. “I’d do anything for you, Martha.”

“That’s a lot of power to hand a person,” Martha told him.

“I know, so it’s a good thing that I trust you with my heart.” He slid his arm around her and pulled her close, wanting to chase the chill from her bones. “And my life.”

“I still don’t see why I can’t join you on the stakeout,” she replied as they walked back toward Clint’s truck.

“Because when the shifter comes back, he’d sense you,” Clint told her.

“Won’t he sense you?” she asked.

“Nope, because I am going to use my shifter senses,” Clint explained.

“But as soon as you make a move, the shifter will know you’re coming, won’t they?” Martha was not letting this go.

I bet she is an amazing lawyer,his bear said in awe and respect.

I suspect Martha will be amazing at whatever she puts her mind to,Clint replied, equally impressed with their mate.

“Well, I’ll be far enough away that he won’t sense me, or even if he does, he won’t be suspicious. He’ll think I’m just passing by,” Clint told her.

“I...” Martha arched an eyebrow at him. “Does this mean you aren’t alerting the local sheriff?”

Clint looked down at the ground and then raised his gaze to hers. “I’m undecided.”

“Because you don’t want to waste Brad’s time on what could be nothing but a drifter needing shelter?” Martha asked.

“Ah, I don’t know.” Clint ducked his head once more, but then he decided to share his concerns with her. “Grant, one of my good friends, lives at a nearby ranch. He told Jesse that some ranches and houses around here had some stuff stolen.”

“So, you think the thief is living in the shack?” Martha’s eyes widened at this news.

“Yeah.” Clint nodded. “But looking at the stuff you found in the backpack, the thief might be a young person in need.”

“And you don’t want them getting a criminal record?” Martha asked.

“What if they just need a helping hand instead of the heavy hand of the law?” He held up his hand. “Not that I’m inferring that the law is always heavy-handed. Brad would likely assess the situation before going down that route.”

“So, tell me the reason you don’t want me here. Is it because I might get in the way or because I’m a lawyer?” Martha asked.

Clint snorted. “I don’t have a problem with you being a lawyer. I think it’s amazing.” He held out his hand to her. “That you are amazing.”

“Go on,” she prompted. “Because I sure could get used to this kind of flattery.” A small smile played across her lips.

“I think you get what I’m trying to say.” Clint’s cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.

“I think what you are trying to say is that you can handle yourself. And that since I’ve only just learned about shifters, it’s best if I’m out of the way.” She pressed her lips together. “If I’m not here, you can fully focus on this other shifter, without worrying about me.”

“Well, since I met you, you have overwhelmed my senses,” Clint admitted.

“I have?” Martha didn’t hide her pleasure at that news.

“You have,” Clint said with a gentle smile as he opened the door for Martha and helped her inside. “Okay, I think that’s enough flattery. It’s time to go, let me take you home.”

Martha cast one last lingering look back at the shack and said, “One day, this might be home.”

“One day it might be,” Clint agreed, wondering if it could really be possible.

But only if it’s safe,his bear growled. And that means finding out who has been using the shack to camp out in.

Clint sent his senses out one last time to search the area before opening the truck door and helping Martha inside. She was his mate, and that made her the most important person in his world, and he would not let another shifter hurt her in any way.

His bear huffed and sat down, resting his enormous head on his paws. We’ll find whoever has been staying here. And if it’s the same person who has been stealing from the ranches and homes around here, then Brad can deal with them.

Unless it was someone who needed their help.Clint had always given people a chance to explain themselves. Just because he’d found his mate, it didn’t mean that had to change.

“A penny for them,” Martha said and touched his cheek, her fingers icy cold.

He closed his hand around hers. “I was thinking how glad I am that you decided to come stay at Bear Creek Lodge.”

She smiled softly. “Me, too. So far, this new life of mine has not taken the direction I’d anticipated.”

“I’ve complicated things for you.” His mouth turned up at one corner. “I’d be lying if I said I was sorry.”

“I’m not sorry.” She cupped his face in her hands and leaned forward, her eyes searching his. “Today, you showed me your true essence. And that made any decision about us easy.”

Clint’s heart swelled with emotion. He knew she was talking about more than just the bear, but about all the parts of him that had been hidden away for so long. He leaned in, drawn by the intensity of her gaze, his heart pounding in anticipation. He felt a spark of electricity pass between them and suddenly, without warning, Martha leaned in and kissed him passionately.

Clint was surprised by the suddenness of her kiss, but soon found himself melting into it. His lips moved hungrily against hers, their tongues entwining and exploring each other. The intensity of the kiss felt like a sacred bond, melding two hearts together forever.