Loving the Bear by Vanessa Devereaux

looking for a place to live that allows dogs because she’s going to want one now.”
    He had an easy solution to that dilemma, but he’d keep it his little secret for the time being.
    “I’m going to make us some lunch,” she said lifting up a grocery bag. “I went shopping on the way over. Katlin insisted on mac and cheese, but I threw in some salad and a roasted chicken from the deli for us.”
    “I can’t wait.”
    “You mind if I go make her the mac and cheese in the kitchen?”
    “Nope, go right ahead and I’m goin g to do some sketching because they want to see more of them and they’ve even set up a meeting in Missoula for me to talk to the executive producers.”
    “That’s great.”
    Lilly headed for the kitchen and Christopher sat on the chair by his desk, watching Katlin hide behind the couch thinking that Barney wouldn’t see her. Then the Pomeranian sneaked up behind her, making her giggle. He laughed too. This was the sort of day he’d love to experience every day for the rest of his life. Lilly, Katlin, Barney, and him all spending time together.
    “Hey Katlin , you want to come and sketch with me?” he asked her.
    She nodded and bounded over to him. He picked her up and put her on his knee and handed her a pencil.
    “It’s a man,” said Katlin pointing to the sketch he’d already done for the game.
    “Yep, and guess what this is?”
    Christopher quickly drew a bear that looked just like her teddy.
    “It’s Eddie, it’s him.” She giggled.
    “That’ s right. And what can you draw?”
    Katlin made some circles on the paper and then what looked like a flower.
    “Wow, I think you’re going to be an artist when you grow up.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Someone who draws as well as you.”
    “Draw me more Eddie s.”
    Christopher smiled as her chubby fingers held the pencil and her mouth opened as she watched him carefully draw a family of bears.
    “I love bears.”
    “I do too,” said Christopher.
    ****
    Lilly leaned against the doorjamb and smiled. He was so gentle and kind to Katlin. Katlin’s shyness had completely disappeared. She balanced on Christopher’s knee as the two of them sketched and chatted like old friends. She hated to disturb them, but the food was ready.
    “Lunch is served if you guys can pull yourself away from your work,” said Lilly.
    Barney came running first and then Christopher put Katlin on his shoulders, which made her scream with laughter, as he pounded along to the kitchen.
    “Mommy, we’re bears,” she shouted.
    “Yeah, big scary ones,” said Lilly.
    Christopher sat her down on the chair and push ed it inwards so she could reach the table.
    He sat down and Lilly put some mac and cheese on Lilly’s plate , and then brought over the chicken and salad.
    Christopher broke off a piece and gave it to Barney.
    “He’s going to be spoiled,” said Lilly.
    “I know , but he’s fun to have around just like Katlin.”
    Lilly smiled. “So , Katlin, are you going to like living in Kalispell?”
    She nodded as she put a spoonful of macaroni in her mouth.
    “Maybe you should get her enrolled in a daycare while she’s here and if that doesn’t work out; I can always take care of her. I mean I work from home so it’s no big deal.”
    “Really?” asked Lilly.
    “Sure.”
    “You hear that Katlin ? Barney and Christopher will be your babysitters.”
    Barney barked. “I want Barney at our house.”
    “Maybe one day we’ll get a dog of our own okay?”
    ****
    She was sure Christopher could read her mind and knew that she was down and missed Katlin since she’d gone back to Oregon with her mom. He’d bought her chocolates which she was now eating on his couch.
    “You’re going to have to take these away from me or I’ll eat the whole box,” she said handing them to Christopher.
    “That’s the whole point.”
    “But I’ll be gaining weight and …”
    “There will be more of you to love, and not to mention, to touch.”
    He moved behind