Her Enemy Protector Bear by Cynthia Wilde
Chapter 15
Zoe woke up early. It was a Saturday, and she needed to get to the booth and organize everything. She worked so hard on Nick's clothing all week that she hadn't made anything new for her shop. Of course he had paid her well, but even so she would have to work hard to sell what she could to make up for the lack in inventory in some of her best sellers.
Zoe went into the sewing room. Devon was fast asleep on the bed while Nick lay there on a recliner next to him. Despite the other stresses she was facing, her heart swelled for a moment.
Here was Nick, a man who had only known them for about two months, sleeping on a chair next to her son to keep him safe from the terrors of the night. What have I done to deserve such a good man? Carefully, she woke Devon.
"Wake up, sleepyhead. Time to go to the faire," she gently shook him awake. He opened his eyes and looked at his mom.
"Is it morning already?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "I had a weird dream.” He paused. “Is Furdi here?"
"No hun, he is still out an about I think," said Zoe, hugging him tightly. "We will look for him, okay?" I definitely do not want to look for that cat, it is way too creepy after all of this. Maybe Devon will just assume he’s run away. Let him stay lost, please.
"Nick was here," said Devon, not noticing the sleeping form of the man sitting in the chair next to him. "He helped me. He thinks Furdinand isn't who he says he is, and if I see him again, I should tell him."
Zoe put her fingers to her lips. “Shhh,” she said quietly and pointed to Nick's sleeping form. “He stayed with you all night. Let's let him sleep, and let's get you dressed.”
“He really cares about us, mom,” Devon whispered. “He wants to help.”
Zoe smiled, and nodded. “I know honey. He’s a good man, but you can tell him later, okay? Don't wake him," she whispered. "Got your faire garb?" Devon nodded, holding up his backpack. "Good, let's go."
* * *
The sun was just crestingover the horizon as Zoe pulled the truck out of the driveway. Her mind was full of all the things she needed to do before opening at ten.
"Mom," said Devon. His voice cut through her mental list-making. "Did you know that a lot of the cats are witches?"
Zoe looked at her son with consternation and a nervous laugh. "What did you say, honey?" she asked, not sure she heard him right.
"The cats around the faire," he said. "A lot of them are witches. There are a few boys too. I think they are called warlocks."
"What? Who told you this?" asked Zoe.
"Well," continued Devon. "The cats talk to me and tell me things, and Furdinand, he's a leader of sorts. He definitely thinks something big is coming."
"Really?" said Zoe. Now she was getting a little more alarmed, partly because she didn’t want to hear anything about that cat, and partly because it seemed someone was filling her son’s head full of some crazy stories. "What are the other cats saying to you?" she asked. While she was annoyed, she was also torn. She had always had odd “knowings” and some sort of alarm was going off now.
"They tell me something big is going to happen too," he said. "There's a big hole, or a void, I think they call it, in the grounds hidden behind the faire, and the thing that once was trapped will come out. They think its looking for a weakness in the protection."
"That's very interesting," said Zoe. She was starting to get a sick feeling in her belly. "Anything else?" Just play it cool Zoe.
"Yeah, but I'm not supposed to tell you," said Devon sheepishly.
"You can tell me anything," said Zoe. "You and I don't keep secrets."
But do I want to know? Not great options. Either my son is delusional or we are being stalked by cats or something.She didn’t know what to think.
She heard her son take a big breath then let it out. "They say that you and Nick and some others will try to stop the thing, so it wants you out of the way. All of you."
"Why me?" she asked. She was feeling creeped out about the whole thing as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
"I'm not sure," shrugged Devon. "They wouldn't tell me."
"I see," said Zoe. She felt a chill come over. Either her boy would be a great storyteller one day or... She dismissed any further thoughts along those lines. Maybe she was losing it. Nothing was making sense. Things had been both amazing and terrifying almost from the start when they had arrived. "Let's hope whatever it is will let me get through the weekend so we can make some money." She smiled at her son, trying to make the conversation a little lighter. It was no good to get Devon upset, but the memory of her dream of Furdi was right at the surface of her thoughts. He was a leader? This was all becoming too much to handle.
"Mom," said Devon. "Did you know that people not only change into cats but other things?"
"Oh really?" asked Zoe, trying to be patient with him.
"Yeah, like Nick," said Devon. "He changes into a bear sometimes."
"Does he?" asked Zoe. "Did he tell you that?"
"Yes," answered Devon. "I saw him change when he saved you at the lake."
"Oh?" responded Zoe. "That's very interesting. Can he change into anything else?"
"No, just a bear," said Devon. "But my friends at the faire, their dad changes into a dragon sometimes. And my friends are bears, too. They changed in front of me last weekend. They call it shifting."
Zoe pulled over to the side of the road and turned around to look at her son. "Devon," she said carefully. "Look I love you but this is a very stressful time, Okay. I am trying to give you as much attention as I can but I have a business to run. I am doing my best Nick is not a bear; he's a person. I don't know what kind of stories he's told you, or others or cats or whatever, but people do not change into animals, and cats are not witches, okay? Please I just need a bit of a break today." She let out a breath. She hadn’t realized she had had enough. She was having enough trouble. She didn’t want to hear anymore.
Devon looked crushed. Zoe felt terrible, but she didn't want him believing these crazy stories as truth. "I'm sorry," she said, turning back around. "But whatever Nick told you, isn't true, and your friends are pulling your leg. It's just not possible. Animals are animals, and people are people."
"But Mom," cut in Devon. "It is true."
"Enough Devon," said Zoe. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. We have to get on-site and get ready."
Feeling agitated, Zoe pulled the truck up to the booth and got out. She really liked Nick. He was perfect. Or he had seemed perfect. She really couldn’t believe she’d found a man like him. He had been kind to them, and it didn’t hurt that he was terrific in the sack. But she couldn’t have him putting ridiculous notions in her son's head. What was he thinking? And did he believe what he was telling Devon? Either way it wasn’t great. She would have to talk to him about it later. For now, she needed to focus on getting ready for the day.
As Zoe started to open up the booth, she noticed wet paw prints on the deck leading around the building. She followed them. The smell of cat urine permeated the trees near her back room. Zoe felt a moment of panic as she ran to the back room to check her stock. Thankfully, the room smelled of old wood and plastic bins with a hint of incense, and nothing more. She sighed with relief. Her inventory wasn't harmed, but she heard a meowing coming from the darker corner of the room. Flipping on the light, she saw a small gray tabby hiding in the corner. It didn't move when she bent down toward it. It looked skinny and malnourished.
"How did you get in here?" she asked as she reached her hand out to pet it. Now don’t go growing any fangs. The cat bumped its head against her hand. "Devon," she called. "Go into the truck and get the cat treats. This little guy is hungry."
Devon came running with the jar of treats in his hands and handed it to Zoe. She opened it and gave a few to the cat. It ate the treats with relish, purring and drooling. "He says, 'thank you,'" said Devon from behind her. Zoe tried to smile, stood up, and walked to the front room to finish getting ready. The cat followed.
"Mom," said Devon quietly. "That cat is a warlock."
Zoe felt frustration grow inside her but kept it in. She would have a talk with Nick as soon as she saw him. She didn't appreciate him telling her son all of these tall tales about cats being witches and bears being people. Zoe sighed, "For the last time, Devon. It's just a cat."
"Mom," Devon persisted.
"Stop," Zoe shouted, holding up her hand. "We've already talked about this. It's just a cat." Zoe bent down and picked up the cat and held it up for Devon to inspect. The cat purred and cleaned its paws. Devon stared at it as if he were listening, nodded, and shrugged his shoulders.
"Okay," he said, agreeing reluctantly. "But he says he's here to protect you."
"Wonderful," said Zoe, setting the cat back down on the floor. He then laid down at her feet as he continued to clean himself. "Could you help me get the bins from the back? Please, kiddo? I have to move the truck. We will be opening soon."
* * *
An hour and a half later,Zoe had quickly pulled out her emergency sewing kit, and hand made five fancy flat caps, by whip-stitching them together, to display on the empty shelf. She wished she had more time, but hopefully, she could move some of her older items this weekend to make room for the new ones she planned to make in the coming week.
As she set the hats out, her cell phone chimed with a new text. It was from Nick's assistant, Samantha. Apparently, she had found someone to help out in the shop this weekend. Zoe remembered mentioning she needed help but didn't remember asking Samantha to find someone, but it was nice to know that maybe she could take a break.
When the woman entered the shop, Zoe liked her immediately. She was older, with silver hair and striking light blue eyes. Her name was Zelda, which Zoe thought fit her perfectly. Her smile was warm, and she had a kind face. She made Zoe feel perfectly at ease and even made a few sales while Zoe was helping other customers.
"Why don't you go and take a break," said Zelda, after she finished selling one of Zoe's most expensive renaissance gowns. "You know, Zoe, if you want I can watch the booth while you take a look around the faire. I know you just got here, and I bet you haven’t seen half of the shows or other shops. Have you seen that bear show? It's one of the most popular. If you hurry, you'll make it. It’s going to be slow during the show anyhow." Even though she'd just met Zelda, Zoe somehow felt confident her booth would be fine in Zelda's hands. She just had some sort of calming aura about her.
"Thank you," she said. "I think I will. I need a break for sure. Do you want to come along and see it again Devon? We’ll come right back as soon as it’s over."
"Take your time," said Zelda. "I’ll be fine."
Zoe noticed the lazy, gray cat had jumped up from his spot by the cash register and was rapidly trotting toward her and Devon as if to follow them as they left the booth. "Sorry, kitty," said Zoe. "You can't go with us. Stay here and keep Zelda company."
The cat, however, didn't listen. He jumped up onto Devon's shoulder and settled there. His yellow eyes appraised Zoe and seemed to almost dare her to try and stop him.
"Fine." Zoe threw her hands up in the air. Ok that is a little uncanny, she thought looking at the cat on her son’s shoulder. Whatever there were cats that jumped on shoulders. And she couldn't help but smile at the smile on Devon’s face. She knew Furdi’s disappearance had upset him. She scratched the cat on the head, and he purred and bumped her hand. Then she motioned to Devon. "Okay, cat boy, lead on to the Bear Show."
They arrived a little late and the seats were full, save for two at the very back. Zoe could see the bear just fine from there. He was huge and brown, with very kind brown eyes. Zoe thought he looked sad as he held up the half-clothed woman who was juggling fire over his head. She really felt his humiliation as he rode the small unicycle on the tight rope over the little pool. A beautiful beast like that should be out free, roaming the forests. People around her were laughing, but she just felt angry. How dare they subject this poor thing to a life of torture? The woman with the bear had a whip, and she frequently snapped it at the bear. He is so well-trained, or completely broken, he doesn’t even fight back, she thought to herself. I can’t believe that I work at a place that would do this to an animal. She couldn’t believe Devon had enjoyed it, or that the kind old lady had recommended it.
When the show was finally over, Zoe started to march directly to the handler to give her a piece of her mind, but Devon stood in front of her and stopped her. "Mom," he whispered. "Please. It’s okay. That bear wants to be here. Not all animals need to be saved."
She stood there gape mouthed for a moment, before dismissing his comment. She would talk to him later.
"Well it’s not right," said Zoe. "That is a wild animal, full of grace and strength and it deserves to live with dignity.”
"Please, Mom," said Devon. "I know you love animals, and I do too, but people really like the show and might get mad at you if you go storming up to that lady right now. The bear seems fine to me, really. Besides," he added as he spoke way above his years. "We have to get back to the booth."
Zoe knew she was bested by her young son. He was right; she did need to get back, but she silently vowed to deal with the bear problem later.
“Fine but there is nothing wrong with standing up for animals who can’t stand up for themselves,” she said. Inwardly she was surprised he did not agree with her. He’s usually so sensitive to animal’s needs.
* * *
Returning to the shop,the cat jumped off Devon's shoulder and headed for the trees nearby to relieve itself. When it returned, it took its place behind the payment desk and promptly curled up.
“She’s such a weird cat, Devon, or he, I guess. I think he’s modest, hiding his ‘business’ from us like that. Does he have a name yet?”
"Mom," groaned Devon. “Stop watching the cats so closely! And, No, I can’t make out his name yet, it is too hard to say. Hey, Mom, my friends are over there; can I go talk to them for a bit?"
Zoe noticed two girls, one tall and lanky like a teenager, a girl a little older than Devon, and a boy about Devon's age, sitting on a picnic table nearby. They waved at her son and beckoned him to sit with them.
"Okay," she said. "Just check back in with me in an hour." Zoe pulled some money out of her pocket and gave it to him. "I'm glad you're making friends." Devon smiled and ran to them as Zoe watched, happy that he'd found a group of kids to spend time with.
Zelda tapped Zoe on the shoulder, tapped her fingers on the cash box, and showed her the sales log. "I sold three of those lovely soft caps from the shelf, a skirt, two chemises, and one of your beautiful Elizabethan ruffs. Your merchandise is adorable. You really are a true craftsperson.” She held up the now empty jar of salmon cat treats. "The treats went quick, too."
Zoe stared at Zelda, suspecting that she had eaten them, honestly. She was wondering if she should tell her that those were cat treats, but she didn't want to embarrass her and thought better of it. "Oh. I see. No problem. I have another jar in the truck, and I can always make more."
"You made them?" exclaimed Zelda. "Well, when you do make more, let me know. I'll buy some off you."
"That's not necessary." Zoe smiled at her but mentally was wondering what they must taste like for a person. As she gazed over at Zelda she was suddenly struck by the craziest thought. Her eyes were so blue, and such a particular shade. She reminded her of a Siamese cat. As a matter of fact everything about reminded her of a Siamese. Zoe! Stop it.This place is making me crazy. She stopped the train of thought before it could go any further, and immersed herself in work as more customers came into the booth.