Chapter 14Russell couldn't help smiling down at his lady. She looked so sweet, asleep on the pillow, a shaft of moonlight illuminating her pretty face. That same moon called him, begged him to come outside and dance and pounce in its silvery light. The bear wanted to romp. Only a short one, he told the eager beast. Tomorrow is a big day. Rising, he kissed Riley on the forehead, slid his hand once over the small swell where their child grew within her, and eased from the bed.
Tucking the blankets up around Riley's chin, he moved silently through the house and out into the chill of the night. Soon it will be getting too warm to want to go out in my fur, even at night. He tolerated the heat because he loved to play, but he knew he needed to savor the coolness while it lasted. Outside, thick
