Page 2 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

A sense of excitement grew within Nicole as she navigated the winding mountain road. The twists and turns demanded Nicole’s attention, but she couldn’t resist sneaking glances at the majestic snow-capped peaks rising all around her. Their rugged, timeless beauty called to something deep inside her.

Something primal. Powerful. Something almost impossible to ignore.

Each time the towering peaks came into view, her pulse quickened. They were a visible reminder of the new life that lay ahead.

And all she was leaving behind.

But they sure were magnificent. With their remote wilderness, untamed forests, and pristine lakes. There was something about them that had always called to her.

Perhaps that’s why she’d gone with her instincts when she accepted the job at the Bear Creek Co-op, where she would work alongside farmers and growers in this somewhat remote region. Not that her instincts had served her well in the past. But maybe this time… She refused to entertain any lurking doubt—just for a moment, she wanted to trust herself again.

She was determined to stay positive. To make the best of the situation. After all, that was exactly what she had done all her life. No matter what life threw at her, and boy, it sure did like to take a swing in her direction. But at a very young age, too young an age, she had learned to push forward, never letting setbacks keep her down for long. Still, an uneasy flutter in her stomach warned her there could be challenges ahead, just like always.

This time would be no different. She scolded herself, disappointed that she was already expecting obstacles before she had even reached their destination. She breathed out slowly, ready to face whatever came her way head-on.

Their new hometown of Bear Creek was just a mile or so up ahead. As they passed by a few scattered homesteads, it all started to feel more real.

But had she done the right thing? That small, irritating voice niggled at the back of her mind.

This was a big step. Maybe the biggest in her life.

No, not the biggest. Or the most important. A flicker of memory passed behind her eyes, recalling a moment that had changed everything before...

She glanced sideways at her daughter who sat next to her in the passenger seat. Mila was focused on her phone, her fingers tapping rapidly as she typed messages to her friends back home. A pang of guilt struck Nicole as she considered Mila’s sacrifices for her mother’s choice.

The sight made Nicole’s heart ache a little. Mila had left behind her friends, her school, and everything she knew, all because Nicole had a gut feeling. But was she right?

Was a new job, a new town, a new life what they needed?

Yes, she told herself firmly. But the voice did not ring true. It was as if she was trying to persuade herself rather than truly believing it. She swallowed, remembering the last time she’d trusted her ‘gut.’ How wrong she had been.

But it was too late now. They were here. There was no backing out.

She swallowed down the lump of emotion in her throat and kept her eyes on the road. The mountains loomed large around them, beautiful and imposing, their slopes covered in thick green pines that seemed to go on forever. Bear Creek was nestled within this breathtaking landscape, and as they rounded a bend, Nicole caught her first glimpse of the town below.

“Look at the views, Mila,” she said in awe. The images she had seen online did not do it justice. But how could you ever hope to capture the sheer majesty and vastness of this place in a mere photograph? The valley stretched out before them, a lush carpet of green dotted with the occasional farmhouse or barn. A gleaming river snaked through the center, its waters sparkling in the late afternoon sun.

Mila looked up briefly, her eyes flicking from the phone to the distant peaks before returning to the screen without a word. Nicole sighed softly, trying not to let the lack of response sting too much. She knew this move had been hard on her daughter, and it would take time for her to adjust.

“Would you like to hike through the forests one day?” Nicole suggested lightly, trying to spark some enthusiasm. “It would be fun.”

“Maybe,” Mila mumbled, barely looking up.

Nicole bit her bottom lip, searching for the right thing to say. “We could even see if we could hire some horses and ride…”

Before she finished, Mila’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “Horses?” she interrupted, her voice suddenly animated. “Do you think we could ride the mountain trails? I’d love to see some of the wildlife.”

Finally! It was the first sign of excitement she’d seen from Mila in days. “I’m sure we can,” Nicole said, wanting to nurture this spark of enthusiasm. “There are plenty of ranches around here. And I’ll get to know the owners once I start my new job. I bet we can arrange something.” Maybe this was how she’d reconnect with her daughter—through her love of horses.

Mila turned her attention away from her phone screen to the view outside the car window. “That would be amazing,” she murmured.

Nicole nodded. “It would.”

Mila had been horse-crazy ever since she was a little girl. She used to spend hours poring over books with pictures of horses, and when she was even younger, she’d ride around the house on a hobby horse. But that was as close as she’d ever gotten to having her own horse. Their old apartment didn’t have a yard, let alone a meadow for a horse. But Bear Creek had meadows and fields. Plenty of space for horses.

And dreams.

Maybe in Bear Creek, Mila could have a real chance of her dream coming true.

Maybe it could be the place where both of their dreams come true. Maybe somewhere out there, a rugged mountain man waited, ready to sweep Nicole off her feet. She smirked at the thought. Wasn’t that part of the charm of starting fresh in a small mountain town?

No, Nicole reminded herself firmly. No relationships. At least not until Mila was an independent young woman. Which might not be too long. Mila was growing up fast. Too fast. There were times when Nicole wished she could stop time and hang onto these last precious childhood years.

Not that Mila was a child. She was a confident teenager who had a will of her own.

Deep down, Nicole wasn’t sure if she longed to hang onto Mila’s childhood as a means of self-preservation. If she’d used her daughter as an excuse not to search for companionship. For love. She swallowed down those old hurts. Would she ever be ready to risk her heart again?

She’d been burned badly by Mila’s dad. So badly that she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be brave enough to trust a man again.

No, she would not let thoughts of betrayal ruin this day. One reason for the move was to put some distance between them and Mila’s dad, Edwin, a man who was rich, powerful, and gunning for a career in politics. His face was everywhere right now as he tried to influence people. She blinked back tears at the memory of broken promises. Broken hopes and dreams. If only the public knew the truth behind that carefully crafted image.

But Edwin was a master of persuasion.

Finally! They reached the edge of town, and Nicole drank in the sight of Bear Creek. Its old buildings had withstood the passing of time. The quaint streets, filled with mom-and-pop stores, gave it a sense of enduring small-town charm. She could picture herself strolling down the sidewalk, perhaps chatting to the locals she hoped she would soon count as friends.

A hopeful smile spread across her face. Nicole was determined to fit in, to find a place where she and Mila belonged.

But for now, all they had to do was find their new house. Thank goodness for GPS!

Nicole followed the directions, driving through the winding roads of Bear Creek until she arrived at the street where their rental house was situated. The houses were charming and inviting, each with a front porch and flowerbeds that added to the welcoming atmosphere of the neighborhood.

“We’re here.” Nicole pulled up in front of the house and switched off the engine. “What do you think?”

She glanced over at Mila, who had put her phone down, her eyes on the house in front of them.

The house looked smaller than she’d expected but well-maintained, surrounded by a white picket fence and a carefully tended front yard. The abundance of shrubs and neatly arranged flowerbeds only added to its charm. Nicole’s shoulders sagged with relief. Renting the property sight unseen had paid off. It could all have gone horribly wrong.

Mila looked at her mom, then back at the house, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It looks…nice,” she replied.

Nice. Nice she could work with.

“It’s close to the school. And the local stores. And just a short drive into the mountains.” Nicole unbuckled her seatbelt, stepped out of the car, and breathed in the crisp mountain air as she stretched her aching back. “Shall we go take a look?”

“I guess,” Mila replied. “Since we did drive all this way. And we don’t exactly have a home to go back to.” Nicole’s heart tightened at the words. Mila was right, there was no turning back now.

“Well, if you put it like that.” Nicole rolled her eyes and laughed lightly, trying to keep the mood positive. It was going to take some time for them to adjust to this transition in their lives. “Come on.”

She slipped her arm around her daughter, and together, they strolled up the path to the front door. As Nicole inserted the key into the lock, she felt a flicker of excitement mingled with nerves. This was it. The start of their new life in Bear Creek. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, Mila following close behind.

A single thought flashed through her mind. Please let this be the fresh start we need.

The interior was cozy and inviting, with hardwood floors and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The furniture was simple but comfortable, giving the space a lived-in feel.

“Like it?” Nicole asked, turning to gauge Mila’s reaction.

Mila shrugged, but there was a hint of a smile on her face as she looked around. “I guess. It’s kind of cute, actually.” That little spark of approval fueled Nicole’s with hope, and a wave of relief washed over her. If Mila was happy, that was all that mattered. “Let’s check out the bedrooms,” she suggested.

Upstairs, they found two bedrooms, one slightly larger than the other. “I call dibs on the big one!” Mila said, grinning as she raced into the room.

Nicole chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh no! I think the bigger bedroom goes to the one paying the rent, don’t you?” She followed Mila into the room, taking in the queen-sized bed, the antique dresser, and the large window overlooking the backyard. She wondered if that extra window space might help Mila feel less closed off from this new town.

Mila flopped onto the bed dramatically. “But, Mom , I need space for all my stuff! And that view is way better for taking selfies.”

“Is that so?” Nicole arched an eyebrow, trying to hold back a smile. Since both rooms were spacious, she was not going to argue with her daughter. If this was the room Mila wanted, she could have it. With a few light touches, Mila could make this room her own for when she invited her new friends over.

If she could make them in a town so small. She would , Nicole assured herself. Mila was great at meeting new people and getting along with them. A trait she had inherited from her mother , Nicole thought with a smile.

“Yeah, I can send them to my friends. They will be sooo jealous.” She scrambled off the bed and darted out of the room. “Shall we go check out the rest of the house?”

Nicole followed Mila downstairs, eager to explore the rest of their new home. The living room was spacious and inviting, with a large stone fireplace that would be perfect for cozy evenings in. A set of French doors led out to a small deck overlooking the backyard, where a few tall pines swayed gently in the breeze.

“Look, there’s even a fire pit out there,” Mila pointed out excitedly. “We could make s’mores!”

Nicole smiled, pleased to see Mila’s enthusiasm growing. “Absolutely. And maybe we could string up some lights, make it really special.” She pictured nights under the stars, huddled under a blanket, eating pizza.

But Mila didn’t answer.

Nicole tensed her jaw. Had her daughter’s newfound enthusiasm waned already? She tried not to let her disappointment show as Mila edged away.

“Mila?” Nicole murmured. “Is everything all right?”

Mila didn’t answer, her attention fixed on something near the back of the yard. Slowly, carefully, she inched toward an overgrown shrub.

“Mila,” Nicole repeated as her daughter crouched down, peering into the dense foliage.

“Hello there,” she said softly.

Nicole’s stomach clenched, her instincts kicking in. Was there someone hiding back there? Or was it a wild animal? “Mila!” she hissed, her voice sharp as she rushed to her daughter’s side. “What are you doing?”

“There’s a puppy under here,” Mila said in a hushed tone. “It’s all right. I won’t hurt you.” She lay down on her belly, shuffling forward as she tried to get a better look.

Nicole’s eyes widened, her worry shifting into something else, concern for both her daughter and the animal. “Be careful. It might not be friendly,” she warned as she crouched down beside Mila, keeping a safe distance so as not to frighten the dog.

“Come on, puppy,” Mila crooned, her voice soft and coaxing. “It’s okay. You can come out.”

Nicole watched, her heart in her throat as two small, brown front paws emerged from beneath the shrub. Slowly, the rest of the puppy followed—a small, scruffy thing, its belly low to the ground as it crawled toward Mila. It looked wary, its ears flattened, but there was a gentleness to the way it moved, as if it wanted to trust.

“There you are,” Mila said soothingly. She sat up and patted her thighs, her eyes never leaving the dog. “You’re okay. Come on, you can do it.”

Nicole shuffled back slightly, giving them more space as the dog hesitated, then finally made its way to Mila, resting its head on her thigh. Mila’s face lit up, her hands moving gently to stroke the dog’s scruffy fur. “There’s a good doggy,” she murmured.

“Is he all right?” Nicole whispered as she held her hand out to the puppy, who sniffed it gingerly.

Mila nodded, her eyes focused on the dog. “He’s got a sore on his paw,” she said, her brow furrowing. “I think… I think we need a veterinarian.”

Nicole nodded, her mind already racing with the logistics. She scooted backward, pushing herself to her feet. “All right then,” she said. “Let’s go find one.”

“Hear that? We’re going to help you, puppy,” she whispered, her fingers still stroking the dog’s fur.

Nicole watched them, proud of her daughter’s compassion toward the timid creature who also looked as if he was also in need of a fresh start. She exhaled slowly, hoping this discovery would mark the beginning of their own healing in Bear Creek.