Page 14 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Nicole woke to the soft rattle of a breakfast tray, followed by the sound of light footsteps approaching her bed. She blinked sleepily as the door creaked open, revealing Mila, a beaming smile on her face and the scruffy little puppy trotting happily at her heel. In Mila’s hands was a breakfast tray, complete with a small vase holding a few bright flowers from the garden.

Nicole sat up, fluffing the pillows behind her. “You are spoiling me.”

Mila grinned, setting the tray carefully on the bed. “I thought you deserved breakfast in bed.” She leaned down to scoop up the puppy and gently placed him on the bed before climbing in beside her mom. “There’s room for you, too.”

“You look as if you have grown.” Nicole tickled the puppy as he nestled against Mila, his tail wagging happily before he settled down, resting his chin on Mila’s lap.

“He does, doesn’t he?” Mila asked, petting him gently.

“This all looks delicious,” Nicole said, looking at the tray. The toast was buttered, the eggs scrambled perfectly, and the smell of fresh coffee was incredibly inviting.

Mila hugged Nicole tightly, her small arms wrapping around her mom. “I love you.”

Nicole hugged her back, perhaps more surprised by her daughter’s declaration than by breakfast in bed. “I love you, too, honey. But…” She leaned back slightly, looking down at Mila’s face. “Is everything all right?”

Mila nodded quickly, but then her bottom lip trembled. She tried to smile, but it faltered. Nicole’s heart clenched. “Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked gently, pulling Mila closer.

Mila’s voice wavered as she said, “I’m just so thankful I have you, Mom.”

Nicole’s throat tightened as she smoothed Mila’s hair. “Back at you, sweetheart,” she replied, though her brows tugged together in concern. What had upset Mila?

Mila rested her head on Nicole’s shoulder, her fingers lightly stroking the puppy’s fur. The little dog gave a soft sigh, his eyes closing as if content in the safety of the moment.

“You know Finlay doesn’t have a mom or dad,” Mila said, her voice tinged with sadness. “At least, he didn’t until Tammy and Dougray took him in.”

Nicole’s heart ached at the vulnerability in her daughter’s voice. She tightened her hold on Mila. “I don’t know his whole story,” Nicole admitted, “but yes, I knew he was an orphan.”

Mila’s fingers stilled against the puppy’s fur. She sighed, resting her head more heavily on Nicole’s shoulder. “It just made me think,” she said after a moment. “How lucky I am to have you.”

Nicole felt her chest tighten. She kissed the top of Mila’s head, her voice thick with emotion. “And I’m so lucky to have you, Mila. Every single day.”

She remembered the first time she’d held Mila in her arms, how tiny she’d been…and how determined Nicole felt to protect her. A determination that she carried to this day.

“Tammy and Dougray are really nice,” Mila said eventually, her voice brighter. “I’m glad Finlay has them.”

“Me, too,” Nicole agreed. She rested her cheek against Mila’s hair, her thoughts turning to the Thornberg family and how they had welcomed her and Mila into their home. And into their lives.

Especially Klein.

She pushed the thought aside for the moment, focusing instead on the here and now. On her daughter, this unexpected breakfast, the scruffy little puppy, and the joy of them simply being together.

“We should eat this before it gets cold,” she said as she loosened her hold on Mila.

Mila sat up and brushed a hand across her eyes. “Yeah, I’m starving,” she said, reaching for her own piece of toast.

Scruffy gave a small sigh, placing his chin on Mila’s knee as if to say, I’m here, too, just so you know.

“You’ve had breakfast,” Mila told him with a stern look before she broke into a wide smile as Scruffy gave her the look. His big brown eyes were so soft and yet so demanding. “He’s almost impossible to refuse.”

“He’s going to have you wrapped around his little paw,” Nicole said as she cupped her coffee cup in her hands and took a sip.

Mila giggled as Scruffy nuzzled her hand, clearly angling for a morsel of toast. “He’s just so cute, though! How can I say no to this face?” She held up the puppy, his little pink tongue darting out to lick her nose.

Nicole shook her head, unable to suppress a smile. “You’re going to spoil him rotten. And then who’s going to have to deal with a mischievous, overindulged pup, hmm?”

“Well, it might not be us,” Mila said, subdued at the thought of losing Scruffy.

Nicole closed her eyes for a moment, cursing herself for being so insensitive. But Scruffy already felt like one of the family. It was almost impossible to think of him not being here.

“So,” Nicole said as she set down her coffee cup and took a piece of toast, “you’re looking forward to helping Tammy today?”

Mila’s eyes brightened again. “Yes! I can’t wait. She said I could help her with the morning rounds.” She waved her toast excitedly in the air, nearly sending crumbs flying.

Nicole smiled. “Just be careful and listen to Tammy’s instructions. She’s a professional, and there’s a lot you can learn from her.”

Mila nodded vigorously, swallowing her toast. “I will.” Then she hopped out of bed, the puppy scrambling behind her. “I’m gonna get dressed!”

Nicole watched them go, Mila’s laughter echoing down the hall as the puppy’s nails clicked lightly on the floor. The house fell quiet again. Nicole leaned back against the pillows as she bit into her toast. A wave of contentment washed over her. It was so good to see the change in Mila. She’d come out of her shell, grown in confidence—much like the scruffy little puppy.

She quickly finished her toast and then drank her coffee. Mila wasn’t the only one who needed to get dressed. She was excited about her trip to the Thornberg Vineyard. And not because she’d read that the wine was sublime.

She was looking forward to spending some time alone with Klein. This would be a good chance to get to know him a little better.

Nicole set the empty breakfast tray aside and slipped out of bed, padding over to the window and drawing back the curtains to let the morning light spill into the room. The view from her room might not be as good as Mila’s, but she loved looking out at the distant mountain peaks. In some ways, they were unchanging, and yet each time she stared out at them from the window, the colors seemed to shift with the light—from the soft pinks and oranges of dawn to the bright, vivid hues of midday and finally to the deep purples and blues of dusk.

There was something so comforting about them, as if they had watched over the town for eternity. There was a time when she’d felt uprooted, drifting. Now, with the mountains as her constant view, she felt a sense of stability she hadn’t known in years. As if the mountain anchored her in place.

The sound of Mila humming softly to herself as she went along the hallway downstairs reminded Nicole she was on a deadline. It was so good of Tammy to offer to take Mila out on her rounds, and Nicole didn’t want to be late dropping her off.

But what to wear? She opened the closet doors, her fingers drifting over fabrics and colors. Normally, for a meeting at a vineyard, she might have chosen something neat and professional—smart slacks, a tailored blouse. It was, technically, work after all. But her fingers paused over a soft, flowing floral dress. The delicate pattern reminded her of wildflowers and gently sloping hills, of warm afternoons and quiet moments stolen in good company. It felt…romantic. And if she was honest, romance was exactly what she felt brewing for Klein.

Her stomach gave a small flutter, but uncertainty pushed down. Was it too much? Too soon? She was just starting to find her footing here. Insecurity made her fingertips tighten on the hanger. She was about to put the dress back, choosing something safer, when she heard footsteps returning.

“Mom…” Mila appeared in the doorway, dressed in clean jeans and a T-shirt, her hair neatly brushed behind her ears. “That is perfect,” Mila said, pointing at the dress.

Nicole turned, the dress swishing lightly against her knees. “You think so?” she asked, wishing she had her daughter’s confidence.

“Absolutely,” Mila declared, nodding with conviction. She stepped into the room and reached for Nicole’s hair, scooping it up into a loose, casual bun. The reflection in the mirror showed a woman who looked softer, happier—more open to life’s possibilities. More open to love… “And maybe wear your hair up like this,” Mila suggested, studying the effect. “Perfect.”

Nicole turned from the mirror to face her daughter, a fond smile touching her lips. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Mom,” Mila replied easily, tightening her hug around Nicole’s waist. Then Mila took a step back. “Now, hurry up and get dressed! I don’t want to be late!”

Nicole laughed, giving a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am!” She waited until Mila left the room, her footfalls fading down the hallway, and then slipped into the dress. It fit her perfectly, the soft fabric fluttering around her calves.

Now for makeup. Nicole went to the bathroom and grabbed her makeup bag. She stood at the bathroom mirror, studying her reflection as she applied a light touch of makeup. Just a hint of blush on her cheeks, a sweep of mascara to frame her eyes, and a soft pink gloss on her lips. She wanted to look pretty, but natural…like the best version of herself.

As she finished, Mila’s voice floated up from downstairs. “Mom! Are you ready?”

Nicole smiled, taking one last glance in the mirror before heading out. “Coming!”

She descended the stairs, recalling the countless times she had waited for Mila while the clock ticked away the minutes.

“You look so pretty,” Mila complimented as Nicole reached the bottom of the stairs and grabbed her car keys.

“Thanks.” Nicole slid her hands nervously over the skirt of her dress. “Not too much?”

“Just enough.” Mila scooped up Scruffy. “Come on. Let’s go!”

Mother and daughter stepped out of the house, the puppy nestled in Mila’s arms. The sun shone, and the birds sang.

To Nicole, never had a day held such promise.