Page 22 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Was she doing the right thing?

It was a question that haunted Nicole most days. Being a single mother was tough. The buck definitely stopped with her when it came to Mila’s welfare.

But she was also aware that Mila needed room to breathe, to grow away from her mom.

And so she walked away from Mila, trusting Tammy to keep a watchful eye on her.

“She’ll be fine,” Klein said as he walked her to her car, his solid presence giving her some comfort.

Nicole trusted the broad-chested bear shifter. And he trusted that Mila would be safe here with Tammy.

And since he had sworn that Mila was also under his protection, she believed in him.

Yet still, Nicole’s chest tightened as she glanced over her shoulder, taking one last glimpse of her daughter as she reached her car.

Mila was obviously happy to be left here with Tammy.

She and Finlay were having fun with the scruffy puppy, who was eagerly chasing after a ball despite his injured paw. He seemed to be fully recovered already, with boundless energy and enthusiasm.

His transformation was remarkable, with his coat now clean and fluffy and his tail wagging non-stop as he leaped through the air. Mila’s animated chatter, mixed with Finlay’s quiet encouragement, and the sight of her daughter’s beaming smile, should have put Nicole at ease. But it didn’t. Not entirely.

Not when there was such a massive secret between them. One that would change the way Mila saw the world forever.

“She’ll be fine,” Klein repeated, his lips close to her ear, his breath warm on her skin. She turned to look at him and he gave her a reassuring smile, as if he’d read her mind.

Knew her fears.

Nicole pressed her lips together, biting back the sharp words that sprang to her tongue. But how could he know? The instinct to say it was strong, born out of years of being the only one— the only one —who had cared for Mila since the moment she’d been born. The thought of anything happening to her daughter was like a stab to the heart.

But saying that to Klein would be cruel and unfair. A complete overreaction.

She trusted Klein. She did. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was the unknown, the what-ifs . “I’m worried,” she said, her voice catching in her throat, “that Mila is going to find out about…” She trailed off as she tried to find the right words.

Klein exhaled a long breath, understanding immediately. He glanced back toward Mila and Finlay. The kids were still playing. The puppy barked happily, spinning in circles as Mila laughed, oblivious to Nicole’s dilemma.

“She won’t,” Klein said with certainty as he turned back to Nicole. “Finlay wouldn’t reveal himself. Not to Mila. Not without talking it over with Tammy or Dougray first.” He ran a hand through his hair as he hesitated. Finally, he said, “Finlay understands the implications. When he arrived in Bear Creek, he was hurt, injured, and alone. He knows what’s at stake.”

Nicole chewed on her lip, her shoulders relaxing just a little. “He’s been good for her,” she admitted, looking toward Mila again. “Bear Creek has been good for her.” And it had been. The change in her daughter was undeniable. Her confidence had grown, her laughter carefree, as if this place had given her something Nicole never could have provided on her own.

“But it’s natural for a mother to worry.” Klein stepped closer and rested his hand gently on her shoulder. “This has all come as a shock for you.”

Nicole nodded, drawn to the comfort in his voice and the weight of his hand. “It’s not just the shock,” she said after a pause. “It’s…everything. The unknown. What could happen.”

Klein’s expression softened, his deep eyes watching her carefully. “I won’t lie to you, Nicole. Sometimes things happen outside of our control,” he said, his voice low. Honest. “So, no—I’m not going to stand here and promise you otherwise.”

Her breath hitched slightly at his words, and she tilted her head up to meet his gaze. The truth sat heavy between them, but it was better than false reassurances. And somehow, his honesty made her feel safer than any empty promises ever could.

Nicole let out a slow breath and placed her hand on his, where it rested on her shoulder. The contact sent warmth flooding through her, a tingling that radiated outward and settled deep in her bones, like an electric current tethering her to him. The sensation wasn’t just comforting—it was grounding. Something she hadn’t known could exist until now.

“Thank you,” she said with a small smile. “For being honest.”

Klein held her gaze, his thumb brushing lightly against her shoulder. “Always.”

A beat of silence passed between them. One of those quiet, charged moments where the world seemed to slow down, and Nicole’s heart drummed a little faster in her chest. Klein didn’t move, and neither did she, though she swore the space between them felt smaller than it had a moment ago.

“So,” Nicole said, breaking the stillness with a slightly breathless laugh, “we have some time alone. What do you want to do?”

Klein tilted his head, his eyes glinting faintly with…desire. Her stomach did a small flip. “Dinner?” he asked.

Nicole smiled, arching a brow. “Dinner isn’t alone, ” she teased, her tone light, though her stomach did a full on somersault at the way his gaze lingered on her lips.

Klein let out a low chuckle. “Fair point. I’m open to suggestions.”

The way he said it—the quiet invitation in his voice, the subtle uncertainty in his expression—damn, she was falling for this man. And falling hard.

Despite the mating bond they shared, he did not take her for granted. It was as if he was afraid of misreading her signals. And maybe she should be cautious. Maybe they should play this slower. But Nicole didn’t want to be cautious tonight.

“Why don’t we go back to my house?” she suggested, her voice unusually breathy. “Unless you have somewhere else you need to be. I know I’ve stolen you away from the ranch and your chores.”

Was she trying to give him a way out? Would he take it?

Klein’s lips curved into an easy smile that made something inside her melt. “I think they’ll understand,” he replied. His voice held no hesitation, no second-guessing. “I’d rather spend the evening with you.”

The way he said it, simple, honest, sent desire spiraling through her, easing the lingering nerves she still carried. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she didn’t have to handle everything alone.

“Good,” Nicole said quietly, her smile mirroring his. “Then let’s go.”

Klein gave her hand a light squeeze before he stepped back and opened the car door for her. Nicole slid into the seat and a small smile tugged at her lips. Bear Creek hadn’t only been good for Mila—it had been good for her, too.

“I’ll follow you,” he said, his hand lingering on the door as if he did not want to take one step away from her.

“Okay.” She leaned back in her seat as he closed the car door. He lingered for a fraction of a second before he turned and strode to his truck.

She watched him in the mirror, unable to tear her gaze from him until he climbed in his truck and started the engine.

What was she doing? Was she even ready for this?

Oh yes! She put the key in the ignition and started the engine.

She was more than ready.

Nicole drove toward town, her attention on the road ahead, her hands steady on the wheel.

Beside her, the passenger seat was empty, but her thoughts weren’t. The memory of Klein’s reassuring touch, of his lips on hers, still lingered. She didn’t need to check the rearview mirror to know he was following. She could sense him. It wasn’t just the rumble of his truck; it was something deeper, more primal, a connection that thrummed in the air between them.

The rumble of his truck reminded her of his bear. The other side of him. It still seemed like a dream. How could a man turn into a bear? And how could the world not know about it?

But then many people probably knew about it, and chose to keep the secret.

To protect shifters, as they protected those they loved.

A small smile curved her lips at the thought. Klein loved her.

And she suspected she loved him. Although, she had no experience of true love, except the love she felt for Mila.

But this was different. And it excited her.

However, her excitement waned a little when she remembered she had invited Klein to dinner.

Since she’d arrived in Bear Creek, she’d hardly spent any time at her new house. What with their visit to Tammy’s with Scruffy, and then the horse riding over the mountains, lunch with Klein’s family, and the visit to the vineyard.

Not that Nicole was complaining. She’d enjoyed every minute.

But it meant she hadn’t had time to do as much as a grocery shop. The cupboards were definitely bare when it came to making a dinner to impress the man of her dreams.

The puppy had more food in the house than she did. Still, there were eggs in the fridge. And some leftovers from the picnic. They wouldn’t starve. Anyway, she had an inkling that Klein’s appetite leaned in another direction entirely.

The thought brought a blush to her cheeks, and she bit her lip, focusing on the road ahead. She resisted the urge to glance in the rearview mirror to check if he was still behind her.

Not that she needed to. She could feel his presence. Sense him, just as he sensed her.

She reached the edge of town and made her way to the quiet street that led to the house, her excitement growing once more.

Nicole pulled into the driveway of her small house and turned off the engine. She sat unmoving for a long moment, taking deep breaths as she fought to calm the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

A moment later, Klein parked his truck behind her car, the rumble of the engine fading as he cut the ignition. Nicole took a deep breath and stepped out, her heart racing as she walked toward him. Klein met her halfway, his stride purposeful, his gaze locked on hers.

“Shall we go inside?” she asked, her voice breathy. What she really wanted was for him to pull her into his arms and kiss her. But she didn’t want her neighbors to see. Didn’t want them to think that she was the kind of woman who moved too fast with men. Even if Klein was her fated mate, her other half, she still wanted to maintain some sense of decorum. At least until they were behind closed doors.

Klein nodded, his eyes dark with desire. “Lead the way.”

Nicole turned and walked to her front door, acutely aware of Klein’s presence behind her, the heat of his gaze on her back. Her hands shook slightly as she unlocked the door. She stepped inside, Klein following closely behind. The door clicked shut, the sound echoing in the quiet house.

Nicole turned to face Klein, her heart hammering in her chest. He stood just inches away, his broad frame filling the small entryway. The air between them crackled with tension, with anticipation.

Without a word, Klein closed the distance between them, his hands cupping her face as he lowered his head and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Nicole melted into him, her arms winding around his neck as she pressed her body against his solid warmth.

The kiss deepened, their lips moving together with an urgency that stole Nicole’s breath. Klein’s hands slid down her sides, his touch leaving trails of heat even through the fabric of her dress. She arched into him, a soft moan escaping her as his fingers dug into her hips, pulling her flush against him.

Nicole lost herself in the kiss, in the feel of Klein’s muscular body pressed against hers. Her fingers threaded into his hair, tugging lightly as she angled her head to deepen the kiss even further.

Klein groaned, the sound vibrating through his chest and into Nicole’s very core. His hands roamed her back, his touch both possessive and reverent as he explored the curves of her body through the thin fabric of her dress. Nicole lost herself in Klein’s passionate embrace, desire coursing through her veins like wildfire. His lips were demanding yet gentle as they moved against hers, igniting a hunger deep within. She clung to his broad shoulders, fingers digging into the firm muscles as he held her flush against his solid frame.

She’d never felt more alive than in that moment. And it was all thanks to her bear shifter mate .