Page 25 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

“Ready to go?” Klein asked Nicole as she came downstairs, her hair still damp from the shower, her face still flushed from their lovemaking.

“Yes.” She smiled at him shyly. Sometimes when she looked at him, it was as if she were trying to fathom if what they shared was true.

Oh, it’s true, his bear said happily.

We believe it, Klein said. But we need Nicole to believe it, too.

He reached out his hand to her, and her smile widened as she entwined her fingers with his. “Then let’s go.”

He winked at her, and she stepped closer, as if seeking reassurance. It made his heart ache that she was so unsure of herself, of the bond they shared.

She’s been hurt before, his bear reminded him. It’s going to take time for her to believe in us. To know what we share is true and unbreakable.

It’s a good thing we have the rest of our lives to prove it, Klein replied.

And the rest of their lives began now.

He opened the front door, and they stepped outside, the warmth of the sun on his face.

“What a gorgeous day.” Nicole tilted her head up, her eyes fixed on the distant mountain peaks. “I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be.”

“Me neither.” Klein squeezed her hand. “Maybe after we’ve been to the sheriff’s office, we could head over to the ranch. I have some chores I need to do, and then we could go for a ride.”

“I’d love to,” Nicole replied. “But duty calls, and I have some work I need to catch up on before I start my job. And then there are the boxes to unpack…”

“Of course,” he said, hiding his disappointment. Part of him wanted to spend every waking moment, no, every moment, with his mate.

But the other part of him knew that was neither practical nor possible.

Pity, his bear said, wanting to bask in their mate’s presence for every moment of eternity.

“Here.” When they reached his truck, he opened the door for her and helped her in. As she settled herself in the passenger seat, he headed around to the driver’s side and climbed in.

A moment later, the engine roared to life, and he put the truck in drive. “Sheriff’s office, here we come.”

“Thanks so much for this,” Nicole said. “You could drop me off and we can make our own way back to the house if you need to go and do your chores.”

“They can wait an hour or so,” he assured her. “I want to make sure that you and Mila are okay. And Finlay, of course. I’m sure they have quite the story to tell.”

“I’m sure they do,” Nicole said and then bit her lower lip as she turned and looked out of the window, watching the houses pass by.

“You’re worried part of that story is going to be Mila finding out that shifters are real, and Finlay is a lion.” Klein glanced at his mate, but she kept her eyes fixed on the view.

“Partly,” Nicole replied. “Another part of me is thinking about the hiker and how dangerous the mountains can be.” She half-turned in her seat and looked at him. “Would you teach us about the mountains and the skills we need to stay safe?”

“Of course,” he replied.

“Thanks.” She gave him a weak smile. “I feel so out of my depth. I prepared us for the move, but not for what we would find here.”

“Does that include me?” Klein asked.

“Nothing could have prepared me for you,” she replied lightly. “I mean, if anyone had told me I would fall for a man who could shift into a bear, I would not have believed them.”

“The bear part, or the falling for part?” Klein steered the truck down the main street through town. They would reach the sheriff’s office in a minute or two.

“Either.” Nicole sighed. “I truly thought that love was not meant for me.”

Love, his bear practically swooned.

“We never know what fate has in store for us,” Klein said, trying to keep his cool.

But before he could say another word, Tammy’s truck appeared up ahead.

“There they are.” Nicole leaned forward as if trying to catch her first glimpse of her daughter to see if she was okay.

Just like a protective mama bear, Klein’s bear said with admiration.

Klein pulled the truck up behind Tammy’s and put it in park. Nicole was already unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door, her eyes fixed on Mila who was climbing out of Tammy’s truck, Finlay right behind her.

“She looks okay,” Nicole said with relief.

“Of course she’s okay,” Klein said, reaching over to squeeze her hand reassuringly before opening his door. “Tammy would have told you if she wasn’t.”

Nicole nodded, but he could see the tension in her shoulders. “I’m just so used to being the one who is there for her.”

“I get it,” Klein said. “But being part of the Thornberg family means you and Mila now have lots of people who are there for you. Who are looking out for you.”

“I’m beginning to get that,” Nicole said and smiled at him before she opened the door and got out.

“Mom!” Mila cried as she flung herself into Nicole’s arms. “Did you hear what happened?”

“I did. You and Finlay are quite the heroes.” Nicole stroked Mila’s hair as she held her close. “I’m just glad you are both safe.”

“Hey there.” A young woman came out of the sheriff’s office with a camera around her neck. “I’m from the Bear Creek Tribune. Brad has asked me to run this story so we can try to figure out the identity of the hiker. I’d love to get a photo of Mila and Finlay. If that’s okay.”

“Oh.” Nicole shrugged at the unexpected request.

“They are heroes,” the woman said. “And young ones at that. It would be such a feel-good story.”

“Can we, Mom?” Mila asked. “I’ve never had my picture in the news. And this might be the only time in my life that I will be a hero.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Klein replied. “People do small acts of heroism every day. Like veterinarians.” He nodded toward Tammy.

“But we do not get our picture on the news,” Tammy replied drily.

“See.” Mila gave Nicole her best pleading look.

“What about Finlay?” Nicole asked, looking at the young teen who had stood silent.

Klein’s bear grumbled. We don’t know a whole lot about Finlay’s past before he came to Bear Creek. Does he have something to hide?

You mean, he might not want his picture shared around, in case someone recognizes him, Klein said.

Exactly, his bear replied.

Finlay shifted his weight, looking uncertain. “I don’t know... I’m not really one for the spotlight.”

Mila turned to him, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Oh, come on, Fin! It’ll be fun. And don’t you want everyone to know what a hero you are?”

Finlay rubbed the back of his neck, a slight flush rising to his cheeks. “I mean, I guess. If you really want to...”

“I do!” Mila bounced on her toes. She looked back at Nicole. “Please, Mom? Pretty please? With a cherry on top!”

Nicole sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. She could never resist Mila’s enthusiasm for long. “All right, if it’s okay with Finlay. And Tammy. Then I suppose a quick photo couldn’t hurt.”

“Yes!” Mila pumped her fist and grabbed Finlay’s hand. “This is going to be so cool! We’ll be like local celebrities.”

Finlay laughed, her excitement infectious as he allowed himself to be tugged over to where the reporter indicated.

A couple of minutes later, the impromptu photo shoot was over and the reporter was heading off down the street, while everyone else headed into the sheriff’s office.

As the group filed in through the door of the sheriff’s office, a sense of excitement still lingered in the air from Mila and Finlay’s sudden brush with fame.

As they entered, the sheriff looked up from his desk and cracked a grin. “Well, if it isn’t Bear Creek’s newest heroes!” He stood and came around the desk, his hand outstretched to shake Finlay and Mila’s hands, each in turn. “I can’t thank you two enough for what you did out there. That hiker is mighty lucky you came along when you did.”

Mila beamed under the praise, while Finlay ducked his head shyly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “We were just in the right place at the right time, sir,” he mumbled.

“Don’t sell yourself short, son.” Brad clapped him on the shoulder. “It takes guts and quick thinking to handle a situation like that. You should be proud.”

He gestured for everyone to take a seat in the mismatched chairs scattered around the small office. Nicole perched on the edge of hers, hands clasped tightly in her lap, as she looked at the sheriff expectantly.

“So,” Brad said, settling back behind his desk, “why don’t you two start from the beginning and tell me exactly what happened out there on the trail.”

Mila and Finlay exchanged a glance, and then Mila launched into the story, her words tumbling out in an excited rush. “We were sitting on a rock watching the sun rise over the mountains. I’ve never seen it rise before…” She paused. “You don’t need to hear all that.”

“It’s okay,” Brad said with a practiced smile that set them all at ease.

“Well, just as the sun crested the horizon,” Mila began again, “Finlay heard a cry for help… He has amazing hearing.”

“He does,” Brad said, eying Finlay. “And then?”

“Then we followed the sound. As we got closer, I could hear him, too,” Mila went on. “And that’s when we found him. He’d slipped down a crevice.”

Finlay took over the story. “He was wedged in pretty tight, his head was bleeding. And one of his legs had a deep gash down it.” He shuddered at the memory. “He was in a lot of pain.”

“You probably saved his life,” Brad said, the smile gone as his expression turned serious. “The rescue crew said he was starting to go into shock.”

“We covered him in our coats, and Mila kept him calm while I ran back to get help,” Finlay added, with a concerned glance at Mila, who had gone pale. “When I told Tammy, she called the mountain rescue team.”

“I’m just glad the rescue crew got there as fast as they did,” Tammy said. “A few more hours and I don’t know if he would’ve made it, with that injury and the cold setting in.”

Sheriff Brad nodded, making notes on a pad. “Did the man say anything about who he was or what he was doing out there alone?”

Finlay and Mila both shook their heads.

“He was pretty out of it,” Mila said. “He wasn’t making a whole lot of sense by the time we found him.”

“Hmm.” Brad tapped his pen against the desk. “Well, he didn’t have any ID on him, and no one’s reported anyone missing that matches his description. For now, he’s a John Doe until we can identify him.” Brad sighed, leaning back in his chair.

“Is he going to die?” Mila whispered.

“The doctors think he’s going to pull through,” Brad assured her. “He’s still unconscious at the hospital. Doctors say it may be a while before he wakes up, which is why I’d like to identify him and locate his next of kin.”

Klein cleared his throat. “Is there anything else we can do to help, Sheriff? Any other information you need from the kids?”

Brad shook his head. “No, I think they’ve told me all the pertinent details. We’ll keep investigating on our end, and see if we can track down any family or friends who might know who this fella is and what he was doing out there. We’re calling all the hotels in the area to see if anyone is missing a guest. Most likely, he was on vacation here and lost his footing. It happens.”

“But no ID?” Nicole asked.

“Might have dropped it in his fall. We’re heading up there to search the area, see if we can figure out where he was coming from and going to,” Brad replied.

“Well, if that is all…” Klein raised an eyebrow at Brad.

“For now.” The sheriff stood up, prompting everyone else to rise as well. “I’ll be in touch if I have any other questions. In the meantime, go home and get some rest.”

“Yes, I should get going.” Tammy glanced at her watch. “I have my rounds to do, and I’m already running late. I have to meet Uncle Gavin at the McClaren place to check in on their goats.”

“How is he?” Brad asked.

“Good,” Nicole replied. “His ankle is on the mend, but it’s not fully healed. But try telling him that…”

“You go,” Klein said. “I could take Finlay back to the ranch. Mom would love to cook him some breakfast and hear all about this morning.”

“Are you sure?” Tammy asked, but she was already taking a step toward the door while fishing her keys out of her pocket.

“Absolutely.” Klein placed his hand on Finlay’s shoulder as they left the sheriff’s office. “If that’s all right with you?”

“Yes,” Finlay said with a nod. “Mary does the best pancakes.” He glanced at Tammy sheepishly.

“She does,” Tammy agreed, placing her hand on her stomach. “I wish I could join you.”

“Me, too.” Mila glanced up at her mom. “Can I?”

“If it’s not too much trouble.” Nicole arched an eyebrow at Klein.

“No trouble at all,” Klein said with an easy smile. “And it’ll give you a chance to catch up on your work.”

“Okay then.” Nicole glanced toward the truck. “Listen, why don’t you all get going and I will walk back to the house.”

“I can give you a ride,” Klein offered, not ready to let his mate out of his sight yet.

“No, thanks, the walk will do me good. Help me clear my head.” Nicole held out her arms to Mila. “Tammy’s call certainly jolted me awake this morning.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Mila hugged her mom tightly.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Nicole assured her. “If you hadn’t found that man, he might have died.”

“But he didn’t,” Klein reminded them. Then he clapped his hands together. “Come on. Let’s get going. I think we’ve all worked up an appetite, don’t you?” He locked eyes with Nicole and smiled as color flooded her cheeks.

Damn, she was beautiful.

And smart, his bear added.

Everything he’d always dreamed his mate would be.

“I’ll see you all later,” Nicole said, and then turned and walked away. Klein stared after her, until his stomach rumbled, and his mom’s home cooking called to him.

“Okay, let’s get going,” Klein said as he strode to the truck.

“After we’ve had breakfast, can we go for a ride?” Mila asked. “Please?”

“I tell you what, help me do my chores and then we can take the horses out and check the cattle, okay?” Klein said as he climbed into the truck.

As Finlay and Mila got into the passenger seat, Klein started the truck. He might not be spending the day with his mate, but this would be a good time to get to know Mila better. After all, she was part of his life now, too.

But she still does not know about shifters, his bear reminded him.

No, she does not, Klein agreed. But I think she’s going to take it all in her stride when she does find out.

Yes, she has courage, his bear agreed. She proved that today.

But Nicole is right, if Mila is going to venture out onto the mountain, she needs to learn how to look after herself. And he was more than happy to teach her and Nicole. Show them the incredible world around them. The mountains, the forests, and rivers.

His bear rumbled with contentment at the thought of teaching their mate and her daughter the ways of the wild. Of sharing the beauty and wonder of his world with them.