Page 11 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)
Klein guided Maverick through the ranch, leading Nicole and Mila along the well-worn trails. Trails he knew like the back of his hand. But today it was like he was riding them for the first time. Because, in a way, he was. For he was a changed man.
A mated man, his bear said happily.
Oh yeah! Klein chuckled.
The morning sun warmed his back as they rode on, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh grass.
Dusty and Sailor followed closely behind, their riders taking in the surroundings. The steady beat of hooves against the earth was a comforting sound, and Klein couldn’t help but smile with joy at the sight before him.
They passed fields of cattle grazing peacefully, their heads dipping into the tall grass, while a few young calves playfully ran beside their mothers. In the distance, a group of horses moved slowly, a couple of foals staying close to their mothers’ sides, their legs still wobbly and unsure.
“Look at the foals,” Mila called from Sailor’s back.
“We can go meet them later,” Klein said.
“Yes, please,” Mila answered as she watched them frolic.
I’d like to meet her, too, his bear reminded Klein.
Soon, Klein assured his bear. We just have to pick the right time.
Nicole rode quietly beside him, her eyes scanning the scenery. She didn’t say much, but Klein could tell she was absorbing everything. The ranch seemed to stretch on for miles, with the mountains in the distance and the animals that were just as much a part of the land as he and his family. He stole a glance at her, watching the way her lips curved into a gentle smile, the way her eyes shone in the sunlight. For a moment, he felt as though he might burst with happiness.
This—sharing his world with them—was everything he had dreamed of.
And more, his bear said.
The trail opened up into a wide, grassy meadow, the grass tall and swaying in the breeze. Klein turned in the saddle, glancing back at Nicole and Mila. “How about we pick up the pace a bit?”
“Hear that, Sailor?” Mila asked her mount.
“Nicole?” He wanted to make sure she was okay. This was his mate’s first taste of the ranch, and he wanted to be sure it left a good lasting impression.
Nicole looked at him, a hint of nerves crossing her face, but she nodded. “Let’s do it.”
Klein grinned, nudging Maverick forward. “All right then. Just follow my lead.”
With a simple nudge, Maverick picked up speed, responding to Klein’s unspoken command. The bond between them was so strong that it almost seemed like the horse could read his thoughts. Behind him, Sailor and Dusty followed, their hooves thudding softly against the earth.
The wind rushed past them as they galloped across the meadow, their horses’ powerful strides eating up the distance. Klein glanced back, his heart soaring at the sight of Nicole and Mila, their smiles wide as they leaned low. Nicole’s hair streamed behind her, and her face was filled with pure, unguarded joy. It was a beautiful sight, one that Klein knew he would carry with him forever.
On and on they raced, their hooves pounding against the soft grass until they reached the edge of the meadow. The landscape changed abruptly, becoming a rugged terrain. Klein expertly led the horses along a narrow path that snaked its way up to a large rocky outcrop. The horses gingerly stepped over loose rocks and navigated through steep slopes, never faltering. And finally, at the summit, they were met with an awe-inspiring sight. The vast ranch spread out beneath them, with the town of Bear Creek nestled in the distance, and the majestic mountains framing it all. He never grew tired of the stunning view. Never ceased to be amazed at the place he called home.
Klein stopped Maverick and glanced over at Nicole and Mila, who had also come to a halt beside him. He watched Nicole’s reaction from beneath his hat as she took in the breathtaking panorama, her eyes widening and her lips slightly parting with admiration.
“It’s truly magnificent,” she whispered, sharing his awe.
“Yeah, it is,” he murmured, his gaze shifting from the Nicole to the view. But for him, the true beauty of the moment wasn’t the landscape; it was sharing it with her.
Mila reached over, taking her mom’s hand. “I love it here, Mom,” she said. “I really love it.”
Nicole squeezed her daughter’s hand, her eyes bright with unshed tears as she looked down at her. “I’m so glad.”
Klein looked away for a moment, giving them their space. He wasn’t part of their world yet and he felt like an observer looking in.
But we are part of their world, his bear insisted. They just don’t know it yet.
“You know,” Klein said after a moment, “I think you two might just be cut out for ranch life.”
Nicole turned in her saddle to look at Klein. “I think I might be getting a little taste for it myself.” She paused, her cheeks warming under his intense gaze. “This place...it’s special. I can see why you love it.”
Klein’s heart thudded at her words. “I do love it,” he admitted. “And I hope, in time, you and Mila will feel at home here, too.” He hesitated, then added in a quieter tone, “I’d like that more than anything.”
Nicole’s lips curved in a gentle smile as her eyes flicked toward Mila. “I think we might already be halfway there,” she confessed. There was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, as if she were afraid to hope too much.
“I am definitely cut out for ranch life,” Mila replied, breaking the moment. Klein didn’t mind. This was as much about his relationship with Mila as it was about his mate. It was important to him that Mila might one day see him as a man she could rely on. Someone who would be there for her whenever she needed him.
Even if it was a call to help change a flat tire in the middle of the night. Or to be a shoulder to cry on when life got tough, as it inevitably did. Klein wanted to be that steady presence, that unwavering support, for both Nicole and Mila.
“Are there bears and wolves in the forest?” Mila asked as her gaze drifted toward the dense trees that bordered the ranch.
Klein’s heart jolted, but he kept his expression neutral. “Some,” he replied evenly, trying to keep his tone light.
Mila turned in her saddle to look at him. “Do you see them when you’re out riding?”
Klein met her gaze, but then shrugged. “Not often.”
Mila switched her gaze back to the forest. “Mom said they would probably steer clear of people.”
If only they knew, his bear sighed . If only they knew that this bear never wants to steer clear of them.
Klein nodded, a smile touching his lips. “Mostly, they do.”
“Mostly?” Nicole asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at him.
Klein felt his bear stir, chuckling softly.
Careful how you answer, his bear warned, amusement lacing its voice.
Klein tensed his jaw for a moment, then looked at Nicole. “Sometimes they come close.” He swallowed hard, wishing he could say more. He didn’t want any secrets between him and Nicole. Not ever.
But for now, the secret must remain.
“Does that worry you?” Nicole asked, stroking Dusty’s neck.
Klein shook his head slowly. “Not really,” he said, choosing his words with care. “I’ve lived here all my life, so I’ve learned how to handle the wildlife. Besides, most animals aren’t looking for trouble. They just want their space.”
Nicole regarded him closely, and for a moment, Klein wondered if she might push for more answers. But she only nodded, letting him keep his mystery a little longer.
“Can we ride through the forest on the way back to the ranch?” Mila asked.
Klein nodded, meeting Nicole’s gaze to gauge her reaction. “If it’s all right with your mom.”
Nicole looked at Mila, then back at Klein. She gave a small nod. “It is. As long as you follow Klein and do as he says.”
“Of course,” Mila answered with a firm nod. “He’s the boss.”
“All right then,” Klein said, gathering Maverick’s reins. “Let’s head back down, and we’ll take the forest trail home.”
They rode down the rocky path, the horses picking their way carefully over the uneven ground. As they reached the bottom, he guided them toward the forest’s edge, the trees looming tall and dark before them.
They continued on in silence, only the occasional sound of hooves on stone or a horse’s gentle snort breaking the quiet.
As they approached the edge of the forest, a familiar sense of alertness settled over Klein. He’d learned it from his father when he was a teenager. These senses helped him find lost cattle and ensure the herd stayed safe from predators.
Nicole and Mila are not cattle, his bear said.
No, but we need to protect them the same way we protect the herd, Klein said as he pushed out his shifter senses, letting them spread into the trees, reaching for anything that might be out of place. Anything that could spook the horses or, worse, frighten Nicole or Mila.
You mean like a lion? his bear asked.
Klein suppressed a grin. Yeah, if they spotted Finlay in the forest, that would take some explaining.
I hope Finlay and Mila get along, Klein’s bear mused. They’re both new here, and maybe they could be just what the other needs.
You’re right, Klein agreed , thankful there was no lion hiding behind the trees waiting to pounce. Not that Finlay would do that. He’s more likely to hide if he senses strangers.
In the days before Tammy and Dougray found him, Finlay had learned to stay out of sight, to be cautious—to be afraid. It would take time for him to recover from the trauma of his past experiences.
Klein guided Maverick along the narrow trail, the horses stepping over roots and stones. He heard the steady rhythm of Dusty and Sailor behind him, the occasional rustle of leaves as they brushed against low-hanging branches.
“It’s like a fairy tale,” Mila said, her voice hushed with wonder.
“It is magical,” Nicole agreed.
Klein turned in the saddle, catching Nicole’s eye. “I guess all that’s missing is the happily ever after,” he teased, his tone light but his words carrying a deeper meaning.
She gave him a shy smile, and for an instant, something passed between them. A promise of what might be.
But to Klein, there was nothing more magical than his mate.