The Dance

Chapter 159 Mercy

"Are you ever gonna have mercy on that guy and cut him some slack?" Lucy asked as she watched Bear and Lucas leave the bakery.

Red turned to face Lucy and replied. "What would be the fun in that?"

"Geez, Red, that guy has been in here for the last six months every time he comes to town and he never shows interest in anyone else. Don't you think it's time to say yes and at least go to dinner with him?"

"I don't know. I kind of like this little dance we have going on. He's cute and persistent. I'll give him brownie points for effort."

Lucy arranged cookies on a platter. "You know, one day, he just might quit asking."

Men were a dime a dozen in Alaska and it wasn't unusual for women to have ardent admirers. Red had her following but the difference in Bear's pursuit of her was unique. He wasn't looking for a one night stand or he would have given up on her months ago. His pursuit of her was consistent, and most of all sincere. He never angered at her rejection, only offering a smile and a friendly word each time he departed with her cupcakes in tow.

She secretly liked his visits. There was easy conversation once he had finally broken the ice. It only took him two months to get the courage up to ask her out after visiting the shop weekly. At first she suspected his sisters had goaded him into asking her out but she soon came to notice he kept coming back only to be rejected each time. Her coworkers, especially Lucy, kept prodding her to say yes to Bear's request for a date but once Red's mind was made up, it was difficult to change. She suspected Lucy had an interest in Bear but he never gave her the time of day, always choosing to be served by Red regardless of the wait time.

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"Bear, are you trying to ruin his appetite for dinner?" Jill scrubbed the evidence of a chocolate chip off Lucas' face.

As Jill wiped the chocolate smears from Lucas' hands next, he whispered in her ear. "Uncle Bear's in love."

"In love? With who?" Jill looked at Bear. "Inquiring minds want to know."

Bear had felt the twangs of rejection more than his eldest brothers who seemed to have had an easier time with the ladies. Both of his brothers had landed beautiful, smart and talented women. He wanted to follow suit and consistently bypassed easier pickings for his pursuit of the auburn haired bakery girl.

She had a tough exterior, one that was hard for him to crack. He had watched her for a couple of months as she shot down potential suitors during his visits. One day, he found the courage to ask her out. Maybe it was the way she flipped her braid that day or the sly smile she always offered when he entered the shop, he knew even before she did that she was the only one he wanted.

She wasn't shy by any means and had a bawdy sense of humor, one that he had come to appreciate as he watched her interact with customers. He was smitten by her and made mental notes of everything she ever told him.
He was also impressed by the tat she sported on her arm of a golden finch that peeked out from her fitted tshirt.
When he had inquired about its meaning on one occasion, she explained to him it was a reminder of her resurrection. When he asked what she meant by that, she only answered back, "A tale for another day." He caught himself wondering what other treasures lay hidden under her clothes.

"Bear, Bear?" Jill nudged him as he seemed lost in thought. "So what's up with Red and why am I just learning that you like her?"

Bear looked at Lucas and frowned. "No more cookies for you. I can't believe you just outed me to your mom." Lucas giggled and made a dash to the bedroom with Mr. Bear.

Bear tried to change the subject by offering to help with dinner but Jill wasn't letting him off the hook. "Okay, okay...I like Red."

"Have you asked her out?"

Bear nodded. "Only 27 times and each time she's said no."

"Huh?" Jill scrunched her brow as Bear relayed the stories of his failed attempts to get her to commit to a date. She could tell from his tone and smile that he really liked her. His face lit up by the mere mention of her name.

Jill could feel the wheels turning in her head just like Lila had intervened for her, she would do the same for Bear hoping that she could facilitate her own love connection for them.