Free Eventide of the Bear (The Wild Hunt Legacy #3) by Cherise Sinclair Page A

started selling my woodworking at craft fairs and festivals. After we split, I moved to the Garibaldi Territory in Canada. Worked winters, did the fair circuit during the summers.”
    “Do you need to go get your tools?”
    Ryder hesitated before baring his hopes. “I wanted to mend things between us. Emptied my shop and was already on my way here when I heard about Minette. I left the trailer in Bellingham, so I didn’t look…presumptuous.”
    Ben actually grinned. “Presumptuous.”
    “Yeah, well, if you have a place for my stuff, Minette and I’ll go get the trailer tomorrow.”
    “Got a building out back. It’d be perfect for you.” Ben smiled slowly. “I might have known you’d not give up your wood. Bet you do well.”
    Ryder’s shoulders eased. “Aye. In between the craft fair tidbits, I make custom furniture, which pays really well. Heather, a wolf in Rainier Territory, taught me to invest the profits in the stock market. I’ve got money, bro.”
    “Yeah? You’ve always been canny with finances.”
    “I don’t lack for dollars.” The next words emerged with more difficulty. “It’s family I’m short on.”
    For an eternity, his brother didn’t speak. Finally came the acknowledgment and agreement. “Yeah.”
    Maybe the way home would be filled with obstacles, but they’d found the right trail.

Chapter Eight
    ‡
    T he next evening, Emma stood at the top of the stairs and tried to calculate how to get down. She was allowed only partial weight bearing on her injured leg, the healer had said. A cane would be useful, but she didn’t have one.
    And, by the Goddess, she wouldn’t let Ben continue carrying her to the kitchen, as he had for both breakfast and lunch. She’d get herself to supper. The scent of fried chicken drifting up the stairs was a lovely incentive.
    Putting both hands on the railing, she jumped down one step. It jarred her leg but worked. She set her teeth and moved her hands lower on the railing.
    “If you jump down one more step, I’ll paddle your ass and tell the healer.” Ben’s growl carried clearly from the dining room.
    Emma stiffened.
    He stalked up the stairs, glowering fiercely enough she’d have retreated if both her legs had been working.
    “Ben, I need to—”
    “You need to obey the healer’s orders, li’l female, or you’ll get yourself in a peck of trouble.” The rumble of his rough voice was oddly soothing. Effortlessly, he scooped her up, his strength reassuring. His massive size was always surprising, like viewing a mountain after being raised in the foothills.
    He carried her into the center of the house, through the dining area where an old-fashioned brass chandelier hung over the gleaming oak dining table, under the wide archway into the kitchen. The wood flooring and trim work in the modernized Victorian was a beautiful russet color. Off-white kitchen cupboards hung over cream-colored granite countertops. Golden, hand-painted wall tiles brightened the backsplash behind the sink and oven. Despite being enormous, the kitchen was cheerful and comfortable.
    Of course, bears were known for making their dens comfortable.
    Ben seated her on a stool at the square center island and arranged her injured leg on another leather-topped stool. “Now, say thank you and stay put.” He gripped her shoulder firmly and waited for her answer.
    “Thank you, Ben,” she said obediently.
    “Much better.”
    When his dark blue eyes crinkled at the corners with his easy smile, the stool somehow disappeared from under her, leaving her floating in the air.
    With a satisfied glint in his eyes, he patted her.
    Taking a calming breath, she looked around.
    Ben’s littermate stood at the counter, mashing potatoes with an unreadable expression. If he was less gorgeous, she’d be more comfortable. Even worse, his darkly menacing attitude reminded her of Andre.
    On the other side of the island, the little girl she’d seen the previous night was staring at her. Emma winked