Page 1 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Klein Thornberg leaned forward, pushing his horse faster as they raced across the vast meadow that bordered the Thornberg Ranch. As Maverick responded, the wind rushed by, tugging at the brim of his well-worn hat as if trying to claim it for itself.

The thrill of riding the open plains and the sense of freedom it always gave him coursed through his veins. It never failed to make him feel more alive, more in touch with the world around him, as if he were one with the mountain and the sky that stretched out above him.

It was a primal feeling, just like the rhythmic pounding of his horse’s hooves that echoed in his chest in time to his heartbeat. For a few moments, life was perfect. But even as the thrill surged through him, a hollow ache lingered in the back of his mind. Nothing could fill the soul-deep emptiness inside him.

An emptiness that could only ever be filled by his mate.

A mate he was yet to find. Yet to claim.

Four of his brothers had been lucky in love so far, each finding their mate in unexpected ways. He was happy for them. Of course he would be.

How could he not be filled with genuine joy at their good fortune?

However, that did not stop his deep-seated longing. A longing that grew sharper with each passing day, each mile ridden across the sprawling Thornberg Ranch, a land that had been in their family for generations.

He longed to share all this with a mate of his own. Children of his own.

And then there was the other thought that niggled him ceaselessly. Jay .

His brother had been away from the ranch for too long, estranged from the family who loved him.

Who miss him, Klein’s bear moaned pitifully.

Had Jay found his mate? Had he found some peace away from the ranch? Had he found a way to forgive himself?

The question gnawed at him, and his bear echoed his thoughts. He has nothing to forgive.

Klein eased back in the saddle, bringing his horse to a slow halt. He turned his gaze toward the distant mountain peaks, their snowy caps just visible on the horizon. Jay had walked away from the open skies and endless plains that had always been his home. Had Jay found a place of his own somewhere out there?

Will he ever return? his bear asked.

Shaking his head, Klein banished his melancholy thoughts. He patted Maverick’s neck, muttering a soft command as they turned back toward the ranch house. Toward home.

When he reached the stables, Klein slid off Maverick’s back in one effortless movement. The horse whinnied softly, nuzzling Klein, searching for a treat.

“You know where it is.” Klein chuckled, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a sugar cube. He held it out on his palm and Maverick eagerly lipped it up, crunching happily.

“There ya go, buddy,” Klein murmured, stroking the horse’s velvety nose. “Good boy.” Klein led his horse into the cool shade of the stables, removing the saddle and bridle with practiced efficiency.

As he brushed Maverick down, the oh-so-familiar sound of his brother’s footsteps approached from behind.

“Klein,” Dougray walked into the stables and stood with his hands on his hips. A sure sign he wanted something. “Good ride?”

Klein turned to face his brother. “As always.” Klein patted Maverick affectionately. “There’s nothing like galloping across an open plain.”

Dougray might not agree with you there since he found his mate, Klein’s bear reminded him.

“There sure is a sense of freedom in that,” Dougray replied with a small smile.

Yeah, you are right, Klein said to his bear. Dougray no longer needs to feel that sense of freedom. Who would need to feel free when you are bonded to your mate?

“There is,” Klein murmured to Dougray as he finished brushing Maverick and turned to face his brother fully. “But I suspect you didn’t come out here just to ask about my ride. What’s on your mind, Dougray?”

Dougray gave a short laugh. “And how do you… Never mind. I came to ask if you could help me take a dresser over to the Lodge.”

“Sure.” Klein untied Maverick and led the horse out of the stables. “I’ll turn Maverick out, and then I am all yours.”

We would rather be our mate’s, his bear grumbled.

So very true, Klein answered. But maybe we’ll get to spend time with Finlay.

Yeah, his bear said happily at the thought. We could go for a run in the mountains before we have to do evening chores.

The novelty of having a lion shifter in the family has still not worn off, has it? Klein asked.

Nope, his bear replied. Having Finlay join the family is the best.

None of the Thornberg boys had a child of their own, their own flesh and blood, but that hadn’t stopped the family from growing. Some of his brothers had been lucky enough to meet mates with children. As for Dougray, well, had gained a child in a more unique way.

Finlay’s arrival in their lives had been a truly unexpected event. But most welcome.

The young lion shifter had been scared and alone on the mountain with what quickly became a life-threatening injury.

But Tammy and Dougray had found him just in time. Tammy had used her veterinarian skills to nurse him back to health while gaining his trust.

It hadn’t been easy at first. The poor kid was an orphan who knew nothing about his shifter heritage until his first shift. Such a traumatic ordeal had left him understandably wary as he tried to make sense of what was happening to him.

But Tammy’s nurturing instincts and Dougray’s steady patience soon worked wonders. Day by day, as Finlay slowly realized he had found a home at last—with people who would stand by him no matter what—he’d started to open up.

Now, his natural sunny personality was beginning to emerge as he healed both physically and emotionally.

Klein would be the first to admit the teenager was thriving under their care as Tammy and Dougray’s foster son. The couple had fallen in love with Finlay and welcomed him as part of the family. Soon, they hoped to make him a permanent member of the Thornbergs when they officially adopted him.

They are not the only ones who have fallen in love with him, his bear reminded Klein.

True, Klein agreed. The whole of the Thornberg family had grown to love him. They had each played a part in his rehabilitation.

Klein led Maverick out to the pasture, giving him one last affectionate pat before closing the gate. He turned and headed back to where Dougray waited, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought about their newest family member.

His brother raised an eyebrow. “What’s got you grinning like that?”

Klein shook his head, his smile widening. “Just thinking about how much things have changed around here since Finlay and the other kids have become part of the family.”

“I could not agree more. Who would have thought fate had all this in store for us?” Dougray’s expression softened, a look of paternal pride crossing his face. “As for Finlay, he’s a great kid. Tammy and I couldn’t love him more if he was our own flesh and blood.”

“I know,” Klein said as they walked together toward the stables where he hung up Maverick’s halter.

“It’ll happen for you, too, Klein, I’m certain of it.” Dougray placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

Klein nodded, appreciating his brother’s attempt at reassurance. But the familiar ache in his heart remained. “I hope so, Dougray. I really do. But sometimes I wonder if my mate is out there at all.”

“She is,” Dougray said confidently. “And when the time is right, you’ll find each other. Just like the rest of us did.”

“You make it sound so simple.” Klein chuckled wryly as they exited the stables and headed toward the main house.

“Simple? No. But you can’t lose faith. Your mate is waiting for you, and when you meet, it’ll be…” He raked his hand through his hair. “It’s impossible to put into words.”

“Well, that must be a first. You lost for words!” Klein joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Dougray laughed, playfully shoving Klein’s shoulder. “Hey now, I may be a man of many words, but even I can be rendered speechless by the power of true love.”

Klein rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “Well, if… when I meet my mate, I’ll let you know if words fail me.”

“Oh, they will. Believe me.” Dougray grinned. “Now come on, let’s go get that dresser loaded up. I promised Tammy I’d have it over to the Lodge before dinner.”

The two brothers made their way to the large storage shed behind the main house. Inside, among various pieces of furniture and knick-knacks, stood a beautifully crafted oak dresser.

“Wow, this is a real beauty,” Klein remarked, running his hand along the smooth, polished wood. “Where did you find it?”

“Believe it or not, Old Ma had it tucked away in her cow shed,” Dougray replied as they each took an end and hefted it up.

“Her cow shed?” Klein wrinkled his nose as he bore the weight of the dresser.

“Hey, have you seen her cow shed?” Dougray asked as they maneuvered the dresser out of the storage shed. “It’s nicer than most folks’ houses. Not a speck of dirt or cobweb in sight.”

Klein chuckled. “That sounds like Old Ma all right. I swear, she treats her cows like royalty.”

“Oh, she does,” Dougray agreed.

I guess that’s what happens when you don’t have a family of your own, Klein’s bear said. Is that what we have to look forward to if we never meet our mate?

That is not our future, Klein told his bear. Even if we don’t find our mate, we still have family. We have our brothers and their families.

But what Klein and his bear truly wanted was a family of his own.

“Hey, steady there,” Dougray called out as Klein nearly lost his grip on the dresser.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it,” Klein assured his brother and adjusted his grip. “Okay, let’s get this thing loaded.”

They carefully loaded the dresser into the back of Dougray’s pickup truck, securing it with ropes so it wouldn’t shift during the drive. When Dougray was satisfied, he gave a nod and went around to the driver’s side of the truck. “Want to follow me in your truck?”

“Sure.” Klein nodded and waved his hand as he headed for his truck.

Perhaps one day soon we might be taking furniture to the home we share with our mate, his bear said.

As Klein followed Dougray’s truck down the winding mountain road, his thoughts drifted to the future he longed for. He pictured a cozy cabin nestled in the woods at the edge of the ranch, smoke curling from the chimney and the warm glow of lights in the windows.

In his mind’s eye, he saw himself carrying a piece of furniture—perhaps a handcrafted rocking chair or a beautifully carved crib—into the home he shared with his mate.

His bear rumbled contentedly at the thought. A crib, huh? I like the sound of that.

Me, too, Klein smiled to himself. Me, too.

He only hoped it would one day become a reality.