Bearly In Love Read online

  “You just don’t know about some people, do you?” Henry asked.

  “No, Henry, you sure don’t.”

  “Dora, would you do me a favor once you get done with Lorraine?”

  “Sure, boss, what would you like?”

  “Would you give Sam a call and see if he’s available next week for a couple of days to do bear duty?” he asked. “I think I want to do a little construction work.”

  “Construction work at Big Woods?” she asked with a teasing smile. “Is there something I should know about your relationship with Miss Gage?”

  He shook his head. “No, we’re just old friends,” he said. “And I owe her.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Henry drove his pickup truck down the path between the two locked gates of the Big Woods area of the park. He loved the relative quiet and the natural feel of the animal preserve; it was his favorite part of the park. Parking in front of the farthest gate, he jumped out and started heading towards the gate.

  A snort from the fence stopped him. He froze and looked over to see George standing on the other side of the fence, eyeing him suspiciously. “Hey, George,” he stammered, his heart thundering against his chest. He began to step back, towards the truck, when George snorted loudly once again and turned his back on him, lumbering into the woods.

  “Yeah, good to see you, too,” Henry gulped, leaning back against the hood for a moment to catch his breath. After a few moments, he walked back to the gate and opened it, watching carefully for any signs of George. Assured that George was long gone, he climbed back into the truck and drove through the opening, jumping out and locking it once the truck was through.

  A few minutes later he pulled up in front of the concessionary, next to the maintenance truck where Ed and Reuben sat eating their lunch. When they saw him, they immediately jumped to their feet. “Hey, boss,” Ed said. “Something wrong?”

  Henry shook his head. “No, I just thought I could use a little time in the sunshine working my muscles,” he said with a smile. “Mind if I join you on this project?”

  “Don’t mind at all,” Ed said. “Your mom is anxious to get this job completed, so an extra pair of hands would be appreciated.”

  “Thanks,” Henry replied. “And, if you don’t mind, forget the ‘boss’ title. Most of the employees don’t know I’m the CEO, and I’d just rather stay plain old Henry.”

  Reuben nodded. “You got it, Henry,” he said. “When do you want to get started?”

  Henry pulled his leather, tool belt from the backseat of his pickup truck, slipped it over his hips and buckled it securely. “I’m ready and willing now,” he said.

  “Well, we got another five minutes left on our lunch,” Ed said. “So, why don’t you go inside and lay some tarps down around the areas for the new windows and then help Stacy cover the displays. Then we can start cutting out the openings.”

  Henry nodded and grabbed a pile of plastic tarps next to the maintenance truck. “Great, I’ll start on the space to the left of the door.”

  He pushed through the doors, tarps in hand, and saw Stacy across the room boxing up some of the pottery. “Good afternoon,” he said.

  Surprised, Stacy nearly dropped the vase she was holding but caught it against herself. Henry dropped the tarps and hurried to her side. “Sorry for scaring you,” he said, taking the vase from her and carefully depositing it into the box she’d prepared.

  “Oh, no, you didn’t…I mean, I just wasn’t expecting…,” she stammered, blushing and shaking her head. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”

  “Well, I’ve been reassigned to help with the remodeling of the concessionary,” he said. “I think it’s going to look great.”

  “Thanks,” she replied, smiling. “I think it’s going to be great, too. And all of the natural light from the front windows will be a great start.”

  Henry looked around the room. “You know,” he said. “What if they put in some more big windows on the side walls, too? That would really give you a feeling of being in the woods even though you are inside.”

  Stacy followed his gaze, studying the room. “I really think that’s a great idea,” she said. “It would also allow guests to see what’s inside the store and tempt them to come in.”

  He grinned at her. “I see you have a real marketer’s heart,” he said, and then he looked up. “And how about some skylights?”

  “Really?” she asked, her voice rising in excitement. “Do you think they’d be willing to do that?”

  “Well, if they want to improve visibility and make this place the showroom you think it could be, I don’t see why that would be a problem,” he replied. “But I can ask Ed or Rueben to call it in and see what the boss thinks.”

  “That would be so great,” she replied. “Then it would be like being outdoors.”

  He nodded. “Okay, let me ask.” He started to walk back out the door, and then stopped. “By the way, did you get lunch today?”

  Shrugging, she shook her head. “It’s been a fairly crazy day,” she admitted. “And I carried my backpack to the locker room and left it there. But it’s no big deal; I’ve missed lunch plenty of times in my life.”

  “Well, let me see if someone has to run back to the maintenance area for supplies,” he said. “If they do, I’ll have them pick us both up something to eat.”

  “Thanks, that would be nice. But really, it’s not necessary,” she replied, hoping her stomach didn’t growl and make a liar out of her.

  Henry walked back out of the store in time to see Ed and Rueben pack up their lunch gear. He strode over to the truck to stand beside them. “So, I was thinking that while we are adding windows, we might want to add a couple more,” he said. “One on each side of the building.”

  “That would open things up all right,” Reuben said.

  “And I was thinking a skylight,” Henry added.

  “That’d be pretty,” Ed said. “But you got to worry about leaks, especially since this building is only used during the summer.”

  “We’re actually thinking about keeping this area as a year-round attraction,” he said. “In the next year or so we’d add a parking lot just south of here and put a road in for closer access.”

  “Good idea,” Reuben agreed. “The preserve never got the kind of visibility it deserved. But while we’re planning and expanding, how about a covered patio over here?” He pointed to a shady spot next to the building. “We could do it in a pergola style with a stone fireplace at the far end. Then people could even use it for events.”

  “I like that idea,” Henry said. “Let’s see what Stacy thinks.”

  He jogged over to the door, pulled it open and called, “Hey, Stacy, can you come out here for a minute?”

  She put down the pottery she was packing and hurried to the door. “What’s up?” she asked.

  Henry reached out and took her hand, pulling her outside. Stacy tried to ignore the way his simple gesture sent her heart racing. “Reuben’s got a great idea, and I wanted to see what you think.”

  After walking around the area and measuring the patio site, Stacy was just as excited as Henry. “I think it would be amazing,” she agreed, standing in the middle of the clearing with her hands on her hips. “We could even have weddings out here.”

  Henry grimaced.

  “What?” Stacy asked. “Is that a problem?”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s a good idea,” he said. “But I just discovered my mother was actually trying to pick out my future wife. I just had to have a discussion with her and the young woman to make sure they understood that it was not going to work. So, right now wedding plans aren’t my favorite topic.” Henry watched Stacy closely, measuring her reaction.

  Stacy smiled a little brighter. “Well, of course, I can understand that,” she said, trying to keep the glee out of her voice. “But, for people who actually do want to be married, this place could be perfect.”

  “Okay,” he said. “Let’s get Ed and Reuben to
put together the plans while you and I pack things up. I think this renovation is going to take a little longer than we thought.”

  “Oh,” Stacy said, dismayed. “Should I not come to work for a while? I don’t want to get in the way, and the guests won’t be able to access the concessionary.”

  Henry shook his head. “No, we need you here,” he said. “You’ve got the eye for detail, and I thought Ed said that you were the project boss.”

  “Well, really, I think that’s a mistake on his part,” she said. “I don’t know anything about construction.”

  “How about if we have them go back to the main building, get the plans drawn up so they can be approved, and then they can ask Dora, just to be sure?” he suggested.

  “Okay,” she agreed. “In the meantime, I can keep packing things up so they’re out of the way.”

  “And I can help,” he stated. “After all, many hands make light work.”

  “You are just like your grandfather,” she laughed.

  “Why?” he asked with a smile.

  “He’s pretty fond of old clichés, too,” she replied.

  “Yeah,” he answered with a smile. “We’re often fond of the same things.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  When Stacy pulled up to her driveway, she was exhausted, but it was a good feeling. She and Henry had spent the afternoon packing up all the merchandise and putting it back into the storeroom. Then they had disassembled all of the racks and shelving so the entire showroom area of the store was empty. They had laughed together and teased each other as if no time had passed since they were close friends. It was a very satisfying end to a rollercoaster day, not to mention a crazy week.

  As she exited her car, she saw Sam in his front yard, pulling some weeds in the flower beds. “Hey,” she called, smiling and walking over to him. “I’m so glad it’s Saturday. I’m looking forward to my day off.”

  He smiled back. “Yep, me too,” he replied.

  She watched him for a moment and then added, “Into every garden, some weeds must grow.”

  Looking slightly confused, Sam nodded and smiled. “Yep, that’s the truth,” he replied.

  She shook her head. “No. I mean…um, a rolling stone gathers no moss,” she tried.

  He studied her for a moment and then said, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

  Her smile widened. “Exactly,” she said with a definitive nod. “Thanks for being my beary godfather, Sam. Today ended up being perfect.”

  Sam sat back and looked up at her. “Well, I’m glad to hear it, sweetheart,” he replied. “And you just call on me any time you need help.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Sam,” she said. “I will.”

  “Stacy is that you?” her grandmother called. “Dinner is about ready, and you need to wash up.”

  Stacy grinned at Sam. “Well, I guess I better go and give her the good news,” she said. “Thanks again!”

  Sam waited until Stacy and Addie were in their house with the door closed before he got up and walked into his own house and picked up the phone. The line on the other end rang three times before it was picked up. “Well, hello there, Henry,” Sam said. “I just had the oddest conversation with Stacy Gage, and I was wondering if you could fill me in on some things.”

  He paused and nearly chuckled at the momentary silence on the other end. “You can start with how I became a beary godfather,” he finally added.

  “Yeah, I guess I have some explaining to do,” Henry admitted. “Can I come over and talk with you for a few minutes?”

  “Sure,” Sam replied. “I’ve got some steaks in the fridge and some salad makings, so why don’t you plan on eating here?”

  “That would be great, Grandpa,” he said. “Thanks.”

  “Yeah, well save your thanks until after you tell me what you’ve done,” Sam said.

  About ten minutes later, Henry pulled his truck into Sam’s driveway and strode down the walk to the front door.

  Sam was at the door before Henry had a chance to knock and embraced his grandson. “It’s good to see you, Henry,” Sam said.

  “You too, Grandpa,” Henry replied. “But before you say anything else, let me tell you about what’s been going on at your place of business.”

  Sam stepped aside so Henry could come into the house. “My place of business?” Sam laughed. “Wait. I thought I made you the boss.”

  “Oh, no, I’m currently the CEO, but not the owner,” Henry said. “And I see now how that was a very wise decision on your part.”

  “Well, whatever you want to call yourself, CEO or owner, you’re still the guy in charge,” Sam said with a smile. “It’s not as easy as you thought it would be?”

  Henry grinned. “Another learning experience, Grandpa?”

  Sam laughed loudly. “Exactly. So, what’s going on with Stacy Gage?”

  “It’s a long story,” Henry said, pulling up a barstool next to the kitchen counter.

  Sam opened the fridge and pulled out lettuce, tomato, celery, radishes and mushrooms and handed them to Henry. “You can make a salad while you talk.”

  Henry actually liked the distraction of chopping vegetables for the salad while Sam grilled the steaks. “Well, first of all,” he admitted. “I’ve been masquerading as you.”

  Sam paused, holding one steak up with a meat fork, and looked at Henry. “Me? Do you think that will get you more girls?”

  Chuckling, Henry continued to slice the tomato. “Well, it was kind of by accident,” he said. “I was wearing the bear costume.”

  “And Stacy thought it was me,” Sam added.

  “Yes, exactly,” Henry said. “And, really, she was much more open with you. So, I thought in order to help her more, it would be better if I were you.”

  Sam flipped the steak and then paused again. “You didn’t happen to share a bunch of clichés with her today, did you?”

  Henry nodded, picking up a slice of radish and biting into it. “As a matter of fact, yes, we did,” he replied. “Why?”

  “Well, when she pulled up in her car, she spouted off a couple of them,” he said. “It took me a few moments to realize that I needed to play along until I found out what the heck was going on.”

  “So that’s why you called me,” Henry said. “Makes sense.”

  “Well, that’s the only thing that makes sense,” Sam said, sliding the steaks onto the plates. “Why don’t you just tell her who you are and that you care about her?”

  In the midst of tossing the salad, Sam’s words caused him to falter and spill a spoonful of salad on the counter. He put the spoons down and turned towards his grandfather. “I never said I cared about her,” he said. “I said that I need to watch out for her. I owe her that much.”

  Shaking his head, Sam stepped over to the counter and scooped the salad back into the bowl. “Henry, you’ve been sweet on her since you were thirteen,” he said. “But never mind that. What happened today that had her day end up being perfect?”

  “She said that?” Henry asked with an eager smile.

  Sam sighed, picked up the bowl of salad and set it on the table. “Boy, you are so sunk,” he said. “Now tell me about her day.”

  Henry grabbed the plates of steak and placed them in front of their chairs and then sat down across from his grandfather. “She started out the day finding a note that told her the owner of the company wanted her to help with the marketing of the concessionary,” Henry said. “It offered her an increase in pay with the promotion.”

  “Good boy,” Sam said, taking a bite of his steak.

  “Then she got a call from Dora, asking her to come down to human resources,” Henry continued. “When she told me, thinking I was you, I was surprised because I hadn’t finished the paperwork about her promotion. She goes in, excited about her new promotion, and Dora tells her she’s fired because she failed her drug test.”

  “What?” Sam exclaimed, pushing his plate forward. “That girl has never even looked
at drugs, much less used them!”

  Henry nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I thought, too,” he said. “So, while she cried her heart out in the employee locker room, I went over to see Dora because I knew something was wrong.”

  Henry sliced a piece of steak, quickly put it in his mouth and then pointed his empty fork in Sam’s direction. “Funny thing,” he continued. “While I was there, Mom came in and told Dora that she had discovered the drug tests were tampered with and Stacy had been framed.”

  “Who the hell would do that?” Sam asked.

  “Turns out Lorraine Mills switched the label on her test with Stacy’s,” he said.

  “I never liked that Mills girl,” Sam said. “She’s been spoiled her whole life.”

  “Well, after that got cleared up, I, actually you, got to tell Stacy the good news,” Henry said. “And then, later, I went over to the concessionary as me and helped her pack up the merchandise to get ready for all of the remodeling we’re going to be doing there.”

  “So, how are you going to play you and me?” Sam asked, before popping another piece of steak in his mouth.

  “Didn’t Dora call you?” Henry asked.

  Sam shrugged. “She might have. I’ve been out in the garden all day and haven’t had a chance to pick up my messages,” he said.

  “Well, here’s the thing,” Henry said with a pleading smile. “I really need you to come back for a little while and wear the bear costume, just for a little while.”

  “I hate that damn costume,” Sam complained. “I thought retirement meant I didn’t have to do things like this.”

  “Yeah, well, but it’s for Stacy,” he cajoled with a grin. “She really needs a beary godfather.”

  Sam sighed. “Well, I suppose I can be there on Monday,” he said. “But you better fill me in on all the things you two talked about while you were supposed to be me so I don’t make any mistakes.”