CHAPTER 6

Just a Hunch

After the meal, Momma Bear and Poppa Bear stayed in the kitchen while Baby Bear and Rosabella sewed up the cushions on the armchairs.

“It’s so rewarding when you can turn a wrong into a right,” Rosabella said as she embroidered a little flower where the rip in a cushion had been.

“You’re right,” said Baby Bear, admiring Rosabella’s work.

“But tell me more about what’s going on in the forest. Who do you think is knocking down all the houses?” Rosabella asked.

“Let’s see.” Baby Bear rubbed his head as he thought. “I don’t know about clues, but I certainly saw a lot of animals today. The rabbits kept hopping over my feet while I tried to ask them questions, and the chickadees wouldn’t stop singing when I was asking for a bird’s-eye view… but a bee did show me where I could find some fairy sticky honey.”

Rosabella chuckled. “It sounds like you lost the plot! Did you make it back to your own story by The End?”

“I’m super sorry, Rosabella.” He sighed. “So much happened that it’s hard to remember it all. After a long morning and a yummy breakfast, it all becomes a bit fuzzy.…”

Just then, Rosabella’s honey-repaired glasses fell apart and hit the floor with a clatter.

“Oh no! Speaking of fuzzy, this mystery is going to stay unsolved if I don’t have my glasses.” Rosabella knelt down to pick up the pieces.

“I think I can help!” Baby Bear held out his paws to Rosabella.

Rosabella handed him her broken glasses and watched carefully as he hexamined them.

“Believe me—every Bear knows how to fix little problems.” Baby Bear held up the two pieces. “That’s why we are in charge of keeping the forest happy and organized.”

He reached into a drawer and pulled out a piece of gold wire. Wrapping it around the broken parts of the glasses, he quickly made them as good as new.

But within moments his happy smile had become a frown. “If only we could fix up the forest’s blown-down houses just as easily as your glasses.”

“Don’t worry, Baby Bear. I’m sure we will soon solve this problem, too. We just have to stay focused.” Rosabella put her glasses back on happily and blinked. “Now, is there anything else you can remember?”

Baby Bear scooted onto his comfortable chair. He put his paw up to his chin and scratched it. “There was something a little off-the-page that happened.…” Baby Bear’s eyes brightened. “A super-strange girl appeared out of nowhere! Everyone was talking about her, and nobody knows who she is! She fell through the trees and landed right next to a squirrel, and her glasses fell off.…” Baby Bear covered his face with his paws. “That was you, wasn’t it?”

Rosabella laughed. “It was, but you know what? You might just be on to something. I wonder…”

“Wonder what?” Baby Bear asked.

“I wonder if somebody else has stumbled into the wrong story. If I did, somebody else could have, too, right? And maybe that person wouldn’t be as careful as I was to not make a mess.”

“Maybe that’s the answer to our mystery!” Baby Bear replied.

“Baby Bear, I think it’s time to rally the troops.” Rosabella dusted off her dress. “We have to begin our investigation!”

And they bounded off to the kitchen to tell Poppa Bear and Momma Bear about their new lead!