I let out a shriek and turned to find the doorway filled with bear. His jaws were massive, his claws were curved and wicked looking, his fur was the color of cinnamon toast, and his smell gave a whole new dimension to the term "wild animal".
"Invite him in, Rosemary." Mother's voice was welcoming. "Let us remember our manners."
"Thank you, madam," the bear said, and stepped around me as if I were an insignificant mud puddle.
Vanilla shifted into hostess mode. "Will you not sit down? Would you care for some tea? To what do we owe the honor of this call?"
I sidled over to my twin, and said out of the corner of my mouth, "Van, that is a bear."
"Yes." Vanilla smiled.
"Compose yourself." Mother swept past me and extended her hand to the beast. I was sure he would bite it off, but he simply clasped it gently between his lethal forepaws.
"I knew this must be the right place because of the rose bush."
"The rose bush. Yes." Mother's smile was gracious.
"I was told to look for a cottage with a rosebush outside the door--with a white rose and a red rose blooming on it no matter the season. I was told I'd find an enchantress there."
Mother nodded. "I am she."
The bear cleared his throat. "May I come right to the point of my visit?"
"Please do." Mother was looking intently into the bear's honey-colored eyes.
"No sense in beating around the bush," I said.
The bear ignored me. "Madam," he said to my mother, "I am an enchanted prince."
)
