Chapter Twenty-Three: Clint

Chapter Twenty-Three – Clint

“A better idea?” Clint asked.

“Like what?” Freddy demanded.

Martha smiled at him and winked mischievously. “I’ll show you. This way.”

As they walked into the realtor’s office, Sammy looked up in surprise. “Hey, you guys are back!” she exclaimed.

Martha stepped forward, looking confident and determined. “I want to make an offer on the property,” she said firmly.

Sammy’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean the old shack?” she asked, sounding incredulous. “You liked it?”

Martha didn’t hesitate. “That’s why we’re here,” she said, her voice steady.

Sammy looked impressed. “Okay then,” she said. “I expected you to take one look at it and run the other way. It needs a lot of work.”

Freddy spoke up, his voice full of determination. “Work we’re willing to do,” he said firmly.

“And who is this young man?” Sammy arched a questioning eyebrow in Freddy’s direction.

Clint placed a hand on Freddy’s shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “Freddy’s family used to own the property.”

“Freddy’s parents died when he was small,” Martha began, her voice thick with emotion. “His aunt sold the property on the pretext of needing the money to raise Freddy, but instead she squandered the money on liquor.”

Sammy looked shocked and appalled, and Clint’s anger built within him as it did each time he heard the story. He couldn’t believe that someone could treat a child so callously, especially one who had already lost so much.

“I’d like to buy the shack so that we can turn it back into a family home.” Martha slid her arm around Freddy’s shoulders.

“Well, then.” Sammy fought to control her emotions as she picked up the phone, determination etched on her face. “I’ll do my best to get you a good price,” she said. “It’s the least I can do for Freddy.”

Clint felt a surge of excitement building within him. Everything is moving so fast, he told his bear.

It’s like the pieces of my life are slotting into place.His bear grinned, although it looked like a grimace.

“We’re doing it.” Martha slid her hand into his, and a sense of warmth spread through him. They were meant to be together, and they were meant to help Freddy and make a new life for themselves.

As they shared a moment of connection, Clint was overwhelmed by his love for Martha. He leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek, and a jolt of electricity shot through him. She smiled shyly, and a sense of contentment washed over him.

“Are you really going to buy the shack now?” Freddy asked in disbelief as Sammy spoke on the phone.

“We are,” Martha said firmly. “And together, we’re going to make this work.”

Clint nodded. “Together,” he said. “Always.”

One day soon, we’re going to have to explain to Freddy all about the mating bond,his bear told him. That’s what fathers do.

Clint chuckled. Now, that is one conversation I never thought I’d have.

Clint held his breath as Sammy finally hung up the phone, a sense of anticipation building within him. “So?” he asked eagerly.

Sammy turned to face them, a smile on her face. “The owner will get back to me,” she said. “But I think we have a deal.”

“We did it!” Martha threw her arms around Clint and Freddy in a celebratory hug.

“Thanks to Sammy,” Clint said, his voice filled with relief. He pulled away from the others and faced her. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

“It was no trouble at all,” Sammy said, her cheeks flushing as she smiled shyly. “I’m just glad I could help.”

“I can’t believe it.” Freddy pinched his arm. “Yep, it’s real.”

“I’ll start work on the paperwork.” Sammy shuffled papers around her desk, which seemed like a hint for them to leave.

“Come on,” Clint herded them out of the door. “Let’s go celebrate in style.”

“What did you have in mind?” Martha asked as they got outside, and the door shut behind them.

“I thought we could grab some food and head over to the shack for a picnic.” Clint shrugged. “I know it’s not the best weather...”

“But it’s the best idea,” Freddy said excitedly.

“That’s settled then.” Martha looked up and down the street. “Where’s the best place to get some food?”

“The bakery.” Clint held her hand, and they turned to the right and headed down the street.

After a quick stop at the local bakery to grab some food for a picnic lunch, they headed out of town. The drive through the mountains was breathtaking, the sun shone bright as the snow and ice began to thaw.

Clint felt a sense of freedom wash over him as he drove. The open road ahead that always made him feel as if the world was full of possibilities. Nothing was certain yet, but for now, he was content to enjoy the moment.

And believe in fate,his bear chimed in.

It certainly does feel as if fate is working in our favor,Clint said.

As they reached the shack, Clint parked the truck on the side of the road, the tires crunching on the gravel. He turned to face Martha and Freddy, a grin spreading across his face.

“We’re here,” he said with a sense of anticipation. “One day, this will be our new home.”

Martha smiled back at him. “I hope we’re this enthusiastic when the real work begins,” she said, her voice full of determination.

“Of course we will,” Freddy said and jumped out of the truck. He shifted before his feet touched the ground and sprinted off toward the shack.

“I hope he’s right,” Martha said.

Clint drew her into his arms, holding her close until there was no air between them. “Have faith.” He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent before he pressed his lips against hers. She sighed softly and placed her hands on his chest as his tongue explored the depths of her mouth, tasting the sweet nectar within.

With a trembling hand, he ran his fingers along her face, feeling every delicate curve of her skin. Breaking their kiss, he placed featherlight kisses along her jawline and neck, eliciting a low moan of pleasure from Martha.

“We should go catch up with Freddy,” Martha gasped, and when he looked into her eyes, they were dilated, filled with a desperate need for him. One he couldn’t satisfy here on the mountain.

Reluctantly, he let her go and took her hand in his. He could feel the heat radiating from her small palm as they walked together.

“It’s so peaceful here,” Martha said, her voice soft and full of wonder.

Clint smiled down at her before turning his gaze back toward the shack. “What do you think? About what Brad said. Do you think his aunt will really press charges?” He kept his voice low, so that Freddy didn’t hear.

Martha stared toward the orchard, her eyes distant. “It could go either way,” she said slowly. “I’d like to investigate the case and check out all the evidence before we make any assumptions.” She glanced up at Clint, a questioning glint in her eyes.

“You want to go back.” He swallowed down the lump of emotion that formed in his throat.

In his head, Clint’s bear let out a mournful roar, filled with anguish.

Martha shook her head. “No, I don’t,” she said firmly. “I love it here in Bear Creek. The mountain air, the forest, and all the wonderful people.” She stopped walking and turned to face him, her hands on his chest. “You.”

Clint caressed her cheek, his eyes filled with sadness. “But this is something you have to do.”

“I can’t imagine going back to my old life. But if it means that Freddy won’t have to worry about any charges being pressed against him... I have to do what I can to help him.” Martha cupped his face in her hands. “You mean everything to me.”

“And you mean everything to me.” Clint sighed and raised his head to watch the young bear gamboling across the meadow, his fur slick with water that sprayed up from his paws as the snow melted. “But that young man has nothing.”

She turned his head in her hands. “No, he has us.”

“I’ve only just found you, but now I have to let you go.” Clint lowered his head and kissed the palm of her hand, and she shivered before she pulled away.

“You could come, too,” she said. “I know how much this town means to you, and you have the lodge to run...”

“I can’t,” Clint said hoarsely.

“Can’t or won’t?” she asked without judgment.

“Can’t,” he replied. “Kay’s going to have her baby anytime now. There’s no way I can leave Curtis to manage the lodge when he has a wife and a newborn baby to care for.”

“Of course.” Martha put her palm to her forehead. “How could I forget?”

“You’ve had a lot on your mind.” He took her hand, and they walked in silence, their eyes fixed on the young bear, who was enjoying his freedom with carefree abandon, as all kids should.

They walked the short distance to the shack in silence. As they got closer, Freddy’s bear galloped toward them and slid to a halt, before instantly shifting.

Freddy grinned at them, his eyes bright with anticipation. “What kept you?”

“We were admiring the view,” Clint said smoothly.

“Can we go inside and look around? I can’t wait to get started on rebuilding it.” Without waiting for an answer, Freddy spun around and pushed the door open, before disappearing inside.

He’s eager, that’s for sure,Clint’s bear commented, still not over the news that their mate planned to leave town.

Martha grinned at Clint, and they headed toward the shack with a sense of excitement. Clint tried to convince himself that if Martha left, it would only be for a brief time.

She would come back.

How can she not when she knows I’m waiting here for her?his bear said, trying to act goofy to alleviate the tension they shared.

And it’s not as if we’re not going to be kept busy,Clint replied. We have Freddy to take care of.

Inside the shack, Freddy was kicking up the piles of dry leaves where only yesterday they had found his backpack.

This will always be the place where it all started,his bear reminded him.

“This used to be my room.” His voice was low but filled with wonderment and awe as he went to the broken door frame and pointed to a notch in the wood. “I remember the day my dad made this mark. It was my fourth birthday. We had cake. My mom had baked it that morning and the smell filled the whole house.”

“That’s a wonderful memory,” Martha told him, her eyes bright with tears.

“I don’t have many other memories at all. Good or bad.” Freddy ran his finger along the wood. “But that’s the past and the past can’t be changed.”

Clint moved to Freddy’s side and examined the mark. “We’ll repair this doorframe, so you’ll always remember that day.”

“So, when can we start?” he asked finally, his voice filled with excitement as he looked at Clint and Martha expectantly.

The couple exchanged a look before Martha spoke up first. “I’m heading out of town.”

“For how long?” Freddy asked.

“As long as it takes for me to make this whole thing hanging over you go away,” she said in a rush of words.

Freddy’s forehead creased as he stared at her. “You would do that for me?”

She nodded and Clint went to her, wrapping his arms around her, hoping Martha could sense his pride and admiration.

He’d been so wrapped up in how much he would miss her, how much he stood to lose. He’d never given a thought to how she was feeling.

Martha was about to put her whole life, her dreams, on hold for Freddy.

She is the most incredible woman,his bear agreed.

And she’s ours,Clint added.