Stranded by a blizzard on his way home for Christmas, Jarrod waits for death by freezing in his pickup, until a large, white-haired, bearded man steps out of the forest to rescue him. Jarrod is reluctant to follow the handsome man but decides his chances of survival aren’t good if he stays in his truck.<br><br>Caleb takes Jarrod to a warm, inviting cabin in the middle of the forest and offers him food and drink to warm him up. Jarrod’s apprehensions begin to dissipate as his attraction for the mysterious man increases.<br><br>Jarrod wonders what it would be like to live in the wild with the handsome Caleb, but he soon finds out the white bear is not what he appears to be.

Realm of the Polar Bear

Caleb appeared amused at his shocked expression. “I don’t depend upon stores to help me survive. I live off the land, mostly.”


Jarrod, still surprised, gestured around him at the plasma screen television, the computer, and kitchen appliances. “You didn’t get all these out there in the woods.”


Caleb grinned and winked at him. “I didn’t say I never went to a store, but I did acquire them honestly.”


Blood rushed to Jarrod’s face. “I didn’t mean…I wasn’t implying…”


Caleb burst out laughing. “It’s all right. I know how it must seem, me being way out here in the middle of nowhere.”


Jarrod reached for another cracker with cheese and sausage on it. “This is delicious,” he said, trying to undo his faux pas.


“You must be starving,” Caleb said. “It’s just crackers and cheese.”


“I thought I’d be home for dinner by now,” Jarrod said. “Mom said she was cooking all my favorite dishes, not crackers and cheese.”


Chapter 5