Wounds to Bear (Heart of The Bear #1)(10)

“Mommy?” A sleepy voice turned Jenna around. Chrissy stood just behind her, rubbing her eyes. Jenna knew the moment the little girl saw her. “Mommy!” She bolted out of the doorway.

“Chrissy—oh, Chrissy.” The woman ran forward and swept her up, burying her face in the sleep tangled hair. “My sweet girl. Are you all right?” Her free hand touched every inch, making Chrissy giggle.

“I’m fine, Mommy. Jenna and Uncle Roman found us. And Leo took care of me in the woods. He’s so brave.”

“Yes, he is, my love.” Her tear streaked face lifted, blue eyes meeting Jenna’s. “Thank you, so much. I can never repay what you’ve done.”

“We found them.” A warm body pressed to Jenna’s side, and she wrapped her arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Leo is the one who kept her safe.”

“Thank you, Leo.”

He shrugged, but she felt him tremble against her. “She was scared, Mrs. Cooper. I just—acted on instinct.”

“Like your father. I’m going to take you home now, Chrissy—”

“No.” She wriggled in her mother’s arms. “I want to stay here with Leo, until his daddy comes to get him.”

“Chrissy—”

“He didn’t leave me alone. I’m not leaving him alone, Mommy.”

“All right.” She set Chrissy down—and Jenna got out of the way as Chrissy came flying across the room, aimed for Leo. “Chrissy—”

Leo caught her, letting out a grunt. “It’s okay, Mrs. Cooper. I’ll put her back to bed.”

The kids disappeared, and the second they were out of sight, Mrs. Cooper gripped the back of the armchair.

“Please.” Jenna strode to her, wrapping one arm around her waist. “Come and sit. I’ll get you some water.”

“Thank you. I can’t say that enough.”

“I’m just glad we were there to find them.” Jenna poured some water from the pitcher in the fridge and brought it back to Mrs. Cooper. “Here you are.”

“Sandi.” She held out her free hand.

“Jenna Morgan.”

“The new vet. What a way to be introduced to your new neighbors.”

Jenna let out a shaky laugh. “It has been an eventful day.” She heard a truck roar up, headlights flashing across the front window. Brakes squealed as it halted. “I’m guessing they’re here for Leo.”

“He. Jedidiah Black. Leo’s mom passed away last year.”

“Oh, God. He must be frantic.” Jenna headed for the front door. It flew open as she reached for it. “Mr. Black—”

“Where’s my son?”

His low voice was quiet, but the rage behind it shook her. She took a step back. “He’s in the bedroom near the kitchen.”

The huge man stalked past her, and Jenna gave him plenty of room. He oozed danger.

“Dad!”

“Leo.” He scooped up the boy, his big hands cradling him like the most precious crystal. “You’re all right?”

“Yeah. The man shot Uncle Roman, and Chrissy was so scared I couldn’t let the man hurt her, too. I was afraid, Dad, but I didn’t show it. Not once.”

Jenna held her breath, waiting for him to yell at Leo. One harsh word and she was going to give him a piece of her mind. Instead, he leaned back, and smiled at his son. That smile transformed him.

“I couldn’t be more proud.”

With those words, Leo finally broke down.

Jenna wanted to comfort him, and started moving forward. The look Jedidiah Black gave her stopped her in her tracks. It was possessive, and warned her off. His big hand rubbed Leo’s back as he cried, his low voice murmuring to the boy. Finally, Leo calmed, wiping at his eyes.

“Sorry, Dad.”

“No reason to be sorry. You did a brave thing, and being scared? That only makes it more brave. You want to stay with Chrissy?”

“Yeah.”

“How about we all go home? Have a sleepover, so Dr. Morgan can get some sleep of her own. She’s probably wiped out, after keeping you in line.”

“Dad.” Leo swatted his shoulder, but he was smiling. “Can we, Mrs. Cooper? Have a sleepover? I think Chrissy would like it.”


“I’m sure she would.” Sandi glanced at Jedidiah, and finally nodded. “Your dad’s right. We should get out of Dr. Morgan’s hair. She’s done more than enough already.”

“Can I tell her, Dad?”

“Sure.” He lowered Leo to the floor. “Make it fast. I’d like to get us all home and to bed before it’s time to get up.” He smiled down at his son, watched him race to the bedroom. The smile faded the second Leo was out of sight. “Where’s Roman?”

“In the other bedroom.” Jedidiah stalked across the living room. “I gave him a heavy duty sedative. He’s asleep.”

That stopped him. “How bad?”

“He’ll be fine, once he stops trying to play hero. It looks like a small caliber weapon was used, and he had managed to heal a good bit before he scared the hell out of me by jumping on my porch.”

Jedidiah crossed his arms. He looked like an angry god, come to Earth to wreak vengeance. For the first time, Jenna believed this Paul would get what he deserved. Jedidiah looked like a man ready and willing to carry out an eye for an eye.