After they scheduled the appointment and said goodbye, Joy sat on her couch, the phone still in her hand. The house felt different somehow—not completely safe yet, but not actively threatening either. It was just a house. Her house.
She felt better. Yes, she and Bear had to talk. Had to talk more fully about sharing the load between them. She appreciated his protectiveness and knew she still needed it. Might always need it.
But she wanted to be strong for him too, and she could do that. He couldn’t always shoulder everything himself and never share the weight. That wasn’t fair to either of them.
They would talk and work through this. What they had together was too important to lose.
But first, it was time to introduce Velvet Mornings to Oak Creek. Dr. Diaz was right. No more stalling.
Chapter27
Bear drummed his fingers against the polished oak table at the Eagle’s Nest, his stomach a knot of tension. The lunch crowd buzzed around him, but he barely registered their conversations. His thoughts remained fixed on last night’s argument with Joy. All he wanted to do was make things right with her.
He saw her across the restaurant, balancing three plates along one arm with practiced ease. When she turned and spotted him, he raised his hand in a tentative wave. She hesitated only briefly before making her way to his booth.
“Hey,” she said, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear.
“Hey.” Bear’s throat felt suddenly dry. “I’m sorry about last night.”
Joy’s expression softened. “I know you are.”
“I shouldn’t have kept things from you. Even thinking I was protecting you?—”
“I know why you did it, and I understand. We’ll work it out,” she interrupted, squeezing his hand. “We need to talk, really talk. But everything will be okay.”
The relief that washed through him was so intense it nearly took his breath away. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” A genuine smile touched her lips. “You eating here alone?”
“No. Actually, I, uh, invited Mom and Dad to meet me. I’m going to tell them about the IED and my scars.” Maybe a public place like this hadn’t been the best idea, but he hadn’t wanted to make it formal.
She squeezed his hand again. “Thank you.”
“It’s time. Past time. And you’re right. I have to stop trying to carry everything myself.”
“I’ll bring your usuals when they get here.” She gave his hand one more squeeze before heading back to her tables.
Bear watched her go, feeling the tightness in his chest ease slightly. They weren’t fixed, but they would be. That certainty steadied him.
The door swung open, and his parents walked in. His father held the door for his mother, a gesture so familiar it made Bear’s chest ache. Charlie—all five foot two of her—spotted him immediately, her face lighting up as she rushed to his booth.
“There’s my boy,” she said, enveloping him in a hug that smelled like home. “This is a lovely surprise.”
Finn clasped his shoulder firmly. “What’s the occasion, son? Not that we need one to have lunch with you.”
“Just thought we were overdue for some family time,” Bear replied, motioning for them to sit.
As they settled in, Bear’s gaze drifted back to Joy. She caught his look and offered a small smile that helped loosen the knot in his chest further.
“So that’s it,” Charlie said, following his gaze. “You and Joy finally a thing?”
Bear dragged his attention back to his parents. “Yes, and while I can’t wait to talk to you about that, it’s not why I asked you here.” He took a deep breath. “I need to tell you something. Something I should have told you two years ago.”
Finn’s posture straightened, his relaxed demeanor shifting to alert concern. “What is it?”
There was no easy way to say this than to just say it. “Remember two years ago when I sent that email telling you I was going to be out of pocket for a few months and not to worry if you didn’t hear from me? Bear’s voice dropped lower, conscious of their surroundings.
“Yes.” Charlie reached for Bear’s hand across the table, a reflexive gesture of support.
