Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)

“I have class pretty much all day.” I check the time but don’t hurry. “My first class is at eight, and I’ll be done around three.”

“That’s a long day of yoga,” he says.

“I’m used to it now.” I shrug and pull my legs up under me, watching as Noah’s eyebrows climb in interest. “Some of the classes are harder than others. I do beginners’ yoga, which is pretty basic and not taxing on me at all. But I also do core yoga, and that can kick my ass.”

His gaze roams all over me, and I know he’s trying to picture what I must look like under my yoga pants and fitted tank.

I’m proud of my body. I wasn’t always in such good shape, although I am genetically blessed with a petite figure. I’ve worked damn hard to be this toned and strong.

And I have a feeling he’ll see it sooner rather than later.

I smile and take the last bite of eggs before I take my plate to the sink, rinse it, and put it in the dishwasher.

“What about you? How does your day look?” I ask.

“I’m usually over at the sanctuary before the sun comes up,” he says with a shrug. “And I come home whenever the work is done. Some days, it’s by suppertime, and other times, it’s after dark.”

“I guess that’s what you get when you own the place.”

He nods and stands, setting his own plate in the sink as he lays a key on the countertop.

“That’s for you,” he says casually. “It works in both the knob and the deadbolt.”

“You’re giving me a key?”

“You’re staying here, and I don’t know when I’ll be home later, so yeah. It’s just a key, Fallon.” He kisses my forehead again, and I’m pretty sure I melt into a pile of mushy goo. “I’d better get ready to head out.”

He walks down the hall to his bedroom, and I stare at the key on the counter. Of course, he gave me a key. It’s not because I’m moving in with him permanently, but because I’m staying here.

It makes sense.

And it makes butterflies take flight in my belly.

Which is dumb.

“Ridiculous,” I mutter as I rinse and place Noah’s plate in the dishwasher with mine, then walk into my room to gather my water bottle, mat, and handbag.

When I get to the living room, Noah’s just about to walk out the front door.

He holds it open for me, and I step outside, and then I’m suddenly jerked back inside.

“Whoa,” he says, pointing.

“Holy shit,” I whisper and swallow hard. “That’s a bear.”

“Good eye,” he says, and I elbow him in the side for his smartassery, earning a laugh. The bear’s head comes up at the sound, and I freeze again.

“He’s going to eat us.”

“It’s just a little black bear,” Noah says softly. “He’s just moseying around, looking for some berries.”

“Or human flesh,” I add.

“He’s not a grizzly.”

I tip my head back to stare up at Noah in terror. “Do you get grizzlies out here?”

“Maybe once a year,” he says. “Too many people.”

“Oh, God.” I swallow hard. “I don’t do well with bears.”

“Look, he’s walking away.”

The beast is lumbering through the yard toward the woods about fifty yards from the house.

“Maybe he lives in those trees,” I say.

“Probably so,” Noah replies as if it’s no big deal at all.

“Maybe I shouldn’t stay here after all.”

He urges me onto the porch and frowns down at me. “Because of a harmless little black bear?”

“Maybe he’s not harmless.”

“Did he look ferocious? Fallon, he’s a little guy. He was just wandering through. Nothing to worry about.”

“If you say so.”

“Trust me. I’ve lived out here my whole life, and no one has ever been eaten by a bear on this property.”

I raise a brow. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“Yeah. Did it?”

“No.” He laughs and waves as he sets off across the pasture to the sanctuary. “See you later.”

I wave back and climb into the Jeep. I have time to swing by Drips & Sips for some tea on my way to the Lodge for my first class, and I can drive by the house to see if anyone’s there yet.

Probably not. It’s just after seven, for Pete’s sake.

But I’m pleasantly surprised to see a work truck and Jenna’s SUV parked in front of the house when I drive past, so I stop and knock on the open front door.

“Hey, guys.”

“Hey,” Jenna says, turning around. “Fallon, this is Grayson King, Noah’s brother.”

“Oh, hi.” I smile and hold out my hand to Gray. “I’ve heard about you.”

“Same goes,” he says with a wink. Before I can ask him what he means by that, he continues. “This is pretty bad. Looks like the shower upstairs has been leaking in the wall for some time, and finally soaked through the drywall down here.”