XXIV.
Against Bridgette's better judgment, they went out into the woods that night. She was trying to move at a brisk pace, following a path still fresh in her mind, but Jed insisted on gawking at the claw-marked trees as they went, slowing down and casting his lantern to examine each one.
Feeling Bridgette's harsh glare upon him, he thought he should say something.
"Thanks for agreeing to this, Bridge." He said, barely able to contain his excitement. "I've never seen a bear before!"
Bridgette fumed. "Me neither, until today...after one almost killed me."
Bridgette was the one to stop this time. She turned to him, raising her voice. "I could have died today, Jed! But you're treating it like some kind of game!"
Jed gawked, taken aback. "I was worried sick about you, Bridge!"
He walked up to her, the top of her head reaching to just below the base of his neck as he touched her on the shoulder .
