Page 15 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Damn, he was no good at waiting. Klein paused, pressing a hand to the weathered beam he’d just positioned on the Lodge’s half-finished deck, and gazed into the distance, trying to sense his mate approaching.

Patience, his bear told him. She’ll be here.

Not soon enough. Klein turned his attention back to the job at hand.

Dougray was smoothing a plank with a sanding block, slow, precise strokes sending a cloud of fine dust into the air where it caught a beam of sunlight. Beyond the Lodge, the mountains stood sentry, as they had his whole life. And many, many years before that. The sight usually comforted him, and gave a sense of enduring peace. But not today.

Klein huffed out a breath, trying to ease the restless energy that had been building all morning. He picked up another beam and hefted it into place, the satisfying thunk as it slotted home doing little to calm his nerves.

But even as he worked, he pictured the way Nicole’s lips curved when she smiled. Lips he longed to kiss.

He wanted her here. Now.

He wanted to show her the vineyard, to introduce her to his uncle, to immerse her into his world. To make her see she belonged here. Belonged to him.

Dougray chuckled, folding his arms over his broad chest as he studied his brother. A knowing smile spread across his face. “It gets easier,” he said, tapping a spot above his heart. “But it’s still there, every minute of every day. It’s the most incredible thing in the world.”

“It is,” Klein agreed.

“And I would not trade it for anything.” Dougray’s gaze drifted toward the cabin’s doorway. His grin faded, replaced by an expression Klein knew well.

He’s got something on his mind, his bear said. And I do not mean Tammy.

“Problem?” Klein asked, furrowing his brow. He recognized that look on Dougray’s face. It was the same one he wore whenever he worried about family.

Dougray shrugged, exhaling. “Finlay. He’s an amazing kid, you know, but I keep worrying that I’m not doing enough.”

Klein nodded slowly and adjusted his stance. He could guess the thoughts turning over in his brother’s mind. He’d become a father practically overnight—to a teenager.

And we know what teenage boys can be like, his bear said. You know, since you were one.

And so was Dougray, Klein answered. He’s got this. He just needs a confidence boost.

“How’s that going?” Klein asked. “Being an instant father might be everything a shifter desires, but it must still be tough.”

“Oh, it’s…” Dougray broke into a wide smile, one that reached his eyes. “It’s incredible. He’s so smart, and kind, and…” Dougray ran a hand through his hair, chuckling at himself as if he’d never thought he’d be quite this smitten. “I always knew I would love my mate from the moment I sensed her. And I knew I’d love any child we had. But I never expected to feel so much love—so deep a need to protect another person—as I do with Finlay. And you must feel that way about Mila.”

“I do. And I’m beginning to empathize with how Mom must have felt when we were late getting home, or when we injured ourselves doing something reckless and cried until we couldn’t breathe,” Klein said, recalling their own childhood misadventures.

Dougray gave a wry smile. “Yeah, and that’s exactly why I worry. That I’ll end up coddling Finlay too much. That I’ll wind up not letting him figure out life on his own terms.”

Klein exhaled a soft laugh. “You won’t. You learned from an expert. Mom and Dad never wanted us to be anything other than ourselves. We were given the freedom to learn and develop in our own unique ways. And I think we turned out all right. Don’t you?”

“Well, I know I did. I’m not sure about the rest of you,” Dougray teased.

“Exactly.” Klein shook his head, grinning at his brother’s jab. “You’re doing a great job with Finlay. Just keep being there for him, guiding him, loving him. That’s what matters most. It’s what he’s missed the most growing up so far.”

Dougray nodded, his expression thoughtful as he considered Klein’s words. “Thanks, Klein. I needed to hear that.” He clapped Klein on the shoulder. “And anytime you need to talk, I’m here for you.”

At that moment, the hairs on the back of Klein’s neck tingled. Instinctively, he straightened and turned his head, looking into the distance, his eyes unfocused.

His bear rumbled happily inside him. She’s coming.

“Nicole’s here,” he murmured, turning his back on his brother as excitement flooded his veins.

“It’s a beautiful day for a first date,” Dougray said as he went back to work on the porch.

“It sure is,” Klein agreed, unable to tear his focus away from his approaching mate.

“Got everything you need?” Dougray asked as he reached for another plank.

As long as our mate is by our side, we have everything we could ever need, his bear said happily.

“I have enough food to feed an army,” Klein said, smiling as he pictured the scene in the ranch-house kitchen earlier this morning. His mom and his brothers’ mates had been busy making sandwiches and baking delicious treats for Klein’s picnic at the vineyard.

They want to make sure it goes well, his bear said.

So do I, Klein answered, his stomach coiled in a nervous knot.

Klein’s pulse quickened as the steady hum of an engine drifted through the trees. In the next moment, Nicole’s car rolled into view, kicking up a small plume of dust behind it. He swallowed, doing his best to appear collected, even as his bear paced inside his mind, restless and impatient.

When Nicole stepped out of the car, Klein forgot all about playing it cool. She wore a flowing floral dress that skimmed her figure, hugging her waist and flaring gently at her hips. The morning light turned the fabric’s colors vivid, each bloom looking as if it had just been plucked from a secret garden. She raised a hand to smooth her hair, her smile shy but genuine, and he realized he was grinning like a besotted teenager.

His bear couldn’t resist teasing him,

You look like you’ve been struck by lightning.

I don’t care, Klein admitted. I am struck—but not by lightning. By love.

You and me both, his bear chuckled.

“Morning,” Klein managed to say, taking a step forward. There was a slight catch in his voice, but Nicole’s smile widened, and that made everything else fade away, including his nerves.

“Morning,” she answered, tilting her head as she looked over his shoulder at the half-finished extension. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

He glanced at Dougray, who merely raised an eyebrow in a silent show of support. “I do my best,” he joked and then winced inwardly.

He wanted to say more, something eloquent or charming, but the words got tangled in his throat. Instead, he settled for holding her gaze. The way she looked at him…both a bit unsure and yet…happy, sent a bolt of confidence through him.

We belonged together, his bear said. Deep down, Nicole knows it. She just needs to learn why.

“Hey, Klein,” Mila called out as she got out of the car, holding Scruffy in her arms. “Hi, Dougray.”

“Morning,” Dougray called back.

“How are you looking forward to accompanying Tammy on her rounds?” Klein asked, still feeling a little tongue-tied.

“Oh, I cannot wait,” Mila said enthusiastically.

“Morning!” Tammy emerged from the small clinic adjoining the cabin, pushing open the screen door with her shoulder and adjusting a stethoscope around her neck. The scent of straw, antiseptic, and hay drifted after her. “Nicole, Mila,” she called brightly, “are we ready for today’s adventure?”

“I’m ready,” Mila said, going around the car and hugging her mom. “Have a wonderful day.” As she pulled back from her mom, they exchanged a look that made Nicole blush.

“I will,” Nicole said with a shy smile.

“You take good care of my mom, Klein,” Mila said, her tone playful but with an undercurrent of protectiveness.

“Always,” Klein replied solemnly, meeting Mila’s gaze. An understanding passed between them, borne of their shared love for Nicole.

Nicole ducked her head as heat crept across her face. “And I thought I was the parent.”

Klein stepped forward to greet Nicole properly. The breeze carried her enticing scent, calling to him on a primal level. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and breathe her in. But he reined in the impulse, not wanting to embarrass her.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he reached her side. The floral dress flattered her figure perfectly, and the way the morning light illuminated her features took his breath away.

Nicole tugged at the fabric of her dress, and the blush in her cheeks deepened in the most adorable way. “Thank you,” she murmured, glancing up at him through her lashes. “You look very handsome yourself.”

Dougray let out a short laugh but was soon silenced by a sharp look from Tammy. Klein ignored his brother’s chuckle, his attention fully focused on Nicole. He offered her his arm, smiling as she hesitantly looped her own through it. Her touch sent a thrill racing through him, and his bear rumbled in approval.

“Shall we?” he asked, tilting his head toward his truck.

Nicole nodded, her lips curved in a smile that made his heart stutter. “Lead the way.”

Nicole turned to Mila. “Be good. Listen to Tammy, and I’ll see you later.”

“I will,” Mila promised.

“We’ll be just fine,” Tammy added. “You focus on…you.”

Klein’s bear rolled its eyes internally, then chuckled, knowing she meant well.

“And don’t drink too much wine,” Dougray chimed in with a playful caution.

What is it with those two? Klein rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

They are ridiculously happy for us, his bear replied.

“We won’t,” he promised, shooting Dougray a look.

No, you won’t, his bear teased, not when you need a clear head to tell her about me.

Klein took a deep, calming breath as he opened the passenger door for Nicole. He could do this. He wanted to do this. The truth of who he was, what he was, and how he felt about her.

He closed the door once Nicole was settled in her seat and then rounded the front of the truck, his hand brushing the cool metal of the hood.

I might need something stronger than wine, he mused.

Oh no, I mean it! Clear head, his bear replied.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, he caught Nicole’s eye, and she said, “Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.”

“Family, huh,” Klein said, glancing in the rearview mirror at Dougray, who had gone back to building the porch. “They mean well.”

“They do, and we would not be without them,” Nicole said.

“Well…” Klein began, “There are times when I think I could do without Dougray…” He shook his head. “I’m joking. I love each and every member of my family. They are all special in their own way. All a part of me and who I am.”

Nicole smiled, nodding in understanding. “Family is everything. I feel the same about Mila. She’s my heart.”

Klein started the engine, the truck rumbling to life beneath them. As he pulled away from the clinic, he glanced over at Nicole. “I’m really looking forward to showing you the vineyard.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Nicole said, a hint of nerves in her voice. “I’m excited and a little scared, I guess.”

She let out a light laugh as if to dismiss the comment.

“Scared?” he asked.

Tell her you don’t bite, his bear said.

“Yes.” Nicole smoothed her hands over her dress. “I know this is informal, but this visit to the vineyard is kind of important.”

“Ah,” Klein said as put the truck in gear. “It feels a little like your first day on the job?”

“A little,” Nicole agreed. “I want to make a good first impression.”

“Believe me,” he replied. “You already have.”

“Back at you,” Nicole replied.

As they rounded the first bend, Klein glanced Nicole’s way, silently promising himself that today, if fate allowed, he would bare his soul—and his bear—to the woman he loved.