“It’s Mom!” Cedar threw open the door for Tess and grabbed the water bucket from her hand. “You guys okay?” “You didn’t see it?” Ashley asked. “What?” “The bear,” Cedar said. “Not a sign.” Tess closed the door, latched it and pulled off her jacket. “It came back,” Tabitha said. Tess stopped with her hand halfway to the coat hook. “In here?” “It tried to get in, but we scared it away,” Cedar said. Tess dropped her jacket and pulled Cedar to her in a hug. “What happened? How did you scare it away? Are you guys okay?” Cedar nodded as Ashley came to join in the hug. “We’re fine. We’re good at making noise,” Ashley said. Tabitha shuffled to the kitchen. Tears pricked her eyes. She wanted her mom too. She put the lid and knife on the counter and stood with her shoulders slumped, blinking her eyes to stop the tears. Tess placed a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her around. “We’ll be okay.” She wrapped her arms around Tabitha. “You’ll see your folks soon.”
