Free Unexpected Love (White Oak-Mafia #2) by Liza O'Connor Page A

vicious bear’s demise when her sane and rational boss decided to remove the menace once and for all.”
    Steel chuckled. “I must admit, if I’d had a gun on me today, I would have shot the bear without hesitation.” He turned to Tess. “The moment it went after you.”
    She sighed and nodded. “I’d have been sad for him, but now that bear spray no longer controls Grumpy, I doubt he’ll even be tolerated at the sanctuary.”
    “You should have named the bear Satan, not Grumpy,” Helen chided.
    “When should we expect these bear lovers to arrive?” Steel asked.
    “I called them today. They promised to arrive tomorrow. A female went in heat four days ago, and they are bringing her down.”
    “I’ll talk to Tom about getting you reimbursed for removing this menace from the park.”
    She waved him off. “When a fifty-cent bullet would’ve solved your problem? Don’t you dare. I’m the one who should indulge my sweet Tess, not the state of Iowa.”
    He smiled. “Well, thank you.” He then told her of the discoveries they’d made that day, making sure to credit Tess whenever possible.
    Once they were talked out, they watched the lights of the Mississippi appear as night fell.
    “You have a perfect life, here,” Steel said as they sat in growing darkness and enjoyed the view.
    Tess rested her head upon his shoulder. “We do. But having you here makes it better.”
    Her words and actions touched him. They had been through a harrowing event today and had come out the stronger for it. That had not always been the case. But this time fate had favored him. Tess was exactly what he needed.
    Helen spoke from her chair. “I talked to Tom today. For some reason he thought you’d be done with your tour by noon.”
    “That’s how long his tour took,” Tess said.
    “Well, I assured him I would be most disappointed if that were the case. Still, when it neared dusk, I got worried.”
    “Normally, I hate to worry people, but in this case, I’m glad you did.” Steel looked down at Tess to get her opinion. She was sound asleep. “I should call Tom and let him know I’d love to have this job.”
    “I already did,” Helen replied.
    Her admission shocked him.
    “You belong here, Steel. I can see it clear as day. You’ll have your archeology to focus on and Tess, as your assistant, can manage the forests.”
    He nodded in agreement and stared at Tess, pressed to his side. He did belong here, not only professionally, but emotionally.
    “She’s let you in. Never done that with a man before,” Helen admitted.
    “I think the credit goes to Grumpy.”
    Helen grunted. “Glad I didn’t shoot the menace then.”
    “Me, too.”
    The stars were now shining in the sky. Helen sighed heavily. “When I’m gone, she’ll need you.”
    “Where are you going?” he asked.
    “Hard to say.” She stared out at the stars. “Where do you think heaven resides?”
    His body tensed at her words. “Helen, do you think someone intends you harm?”
    She shrugged. “If they do, they haven’t much time to act. But for Tess’s sake, I hope they don’t. When your own father and brothers are the worst people you know, it makes it hard to trust anyone.” Her eyes grew watery. “But she trusts you, and so do I. You’re a good man, untainted by evil. Make sure you stay that way.”
    He nodded, but could find no words to form in response.
    “There’s a lot of space down here. It would make a nice lodge for you and your park rangers.”
    “And where will you be?” he asked, finding her tone worrisome in its peaceful finality.
    “I’ve left clear instructions on that. I’d hoped Jonas would see to them, but I fear the old man beat me to the punch. Probably just as well. He let me down so many times in my life. I thought we’d gotten past all that, but I was wrong. When it came between family and love, he always chose family.” Her eyes met Steel’s. “I’m trusting you’ll side with love.”
    Given how little he cared