Page 26 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Nicole leaned back as she sipped her cup of coffee. The sun on her face brought a smile to her lips. It was nice to sit back and relax for half an hour. This was the first time she’d had a chance to take a quiet moment alone to reflect on her arrival in Bear Creek…and everything that had happened since.

It was as if when she stepped out of the car that first day, she’d been swept up in a whirlwind, her feet never quite touching the ground.

Thank goodness she had taken the job at the co-op. Thank goodness she’d been brave enough to take a chance. Or maybe it had been fate’s guiding hand that had led her here—into the arms of a man she was in love with.

And she was. It might seem sudden to anyone looking in, but the way she felt about Klein was undeniable. And real. So very real.

Nicole sighed contentedly, her thoughts drifting to Klein. From the moment they met, there had been an undeniable spark between them. His warm smile and kind eyes had drawn her in, making her feel safe and cherished in a way she never had before.

She recalled their first encounter at Tammy’s cabin, how his strong hands had gently brushed against hers, the way he’d reassured her. The electricity that had coursed through her at his touch had taken her breath away. Since then, they had grown closer with each passing moment, their bond deepening.

Klein understood her in a way no one else ever had. Or ever would.

He listened intently to her hopes and fears, offering comfort and encouragement when she needed it most. With him by her side, Nicole felt like she could take on the world.

Or at least, her role at the local co-op.

As she sat there, basking in the sunshine and the glow of her newfound love, Nicole knew that coming to Bear Creek had been the best decision of her life.

Nicole took another sip of her coffee and closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the sun and her love for the hunky rancher seep into her. This was bliss.

But the sound of a truck pulling up outside jerked her out of her reverie. Klein.

She knew the rumble of his truck. It was as if she’d pulled the man out of her daydream and into her reality.

Nicole stood up and went back inside, heading straight for the front door, her stomach a knot of anticipation.

She felt like a teenager in the first blush of romance. But she was no teenager. And she had never felt like this before in her life.

As she opened the door and stepped outside, Klein was climbing out of his truck, his muscular frame silhouetted against the bright sunlight. He turned toward her, a wide grin spreading across his handsome face as their eyes met.

“Hey there,” he called out, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

A blush crept into her cheeks as she walked toward him. “Hey there. Did you have a good day?” she asked, stopping just inches away from him as Mila and Finlay, along with the puppy, spilled out of the truck, too.

Klein’s fingers twitched at his side as if he wanted to reach out and gather her to him. But for now, the true nature of their relationship was unknown to Mila. When Nicole broke the news to her daughter, she wanted to sit down, just the two of them, and talk it over. Just as they’d talked over every momentous moment in their lives together.

“Did you all have a good day?” Nicole asked.

“The best!” Mila ran over and hugged her mom, the little puppy at her heel. “We went cattle herding. And Klein taught me how to use a lasso.”

“She’s a natural,” Klein said with a grin. “They both are.”

“Any news on the hiker?” Nicole asked.

“He’s doing better. His vitals are more stable, although Brad still hasn’t managed to identify him.” Klein looked up at the sound of a helicopter as it skimmed the treetops. “Which brings me to the reason we came back a little earlier than intended.” He paused. “I hope we didn’t disturb your work.”

“No, I was just about finished.” Nicole tilted her head to one side, intrigued by his words. “Are you going to tell me the reason?”

“Oh,” Klein ducked his head. “Of course.” He cleared his throat. “Mary and Waylan are hosting a party for Mila and Finlay—the two heroes of the mountain.”

“Isn’t that the best?” Mila asked, clasping her hands together.

“It is,” Nicole said, touched by Klein’s parents’ generosity.

“It’s a little impromptu, mainly the Thornberg Clan,” Klein explained. “But it’ll be fun.”

“When?” Nicole asked.

“This evening,” Klein replied and glanced at his watch. “In a couple of hours.”

“Oh,” Nicole looked down at her clothes. “And what does a person wear to one of these impromptu celebrations? I don’t want to overdress or underdress.”

But the look Klein gave her said he wouldn’t mind if she weren’t wearing a dress at all.

Nicole’s throat constricted at the heated look in Klein’s eyes. She quickly glanced away, not wanting Mila to notice the simmering attraction between them.

“I’m sure whatever you wear will be perfect,” Klein said, his voice a little rougher than usual. He cleared his throat. “It’s a casual affair. Jeans and a nice top would be fine. Or a dress. Whatever you feel comfortable in.”

“Okay, great.” Nicole smiled, trying to keep her composure despite the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “We’ll go get ready then. What time should we be at the ranch?”

“The party starts at six. I can swing by and pick you up if you’d like,” Klein offered.

“No, it’s okay. I can drive,” Nicole replied. “I don’t want to inconvenience you any more than I already have today.”

“You will never be an inconvenience,” he promised her roughly, then he turned away. “Okay, Finlay, let’s get back to the ranch. You need to jump in the shower. Dougray has gone to pick up Tammy and Uncle Gavin, and he’s bringing you a clean change of clothes. Then we can help with setting everything up.”

“See you later!” Finlay waved a hand at Mila, but as the two men headed for the truck, a sleek black car with tinted windows came to a halt behind Klein’s truck.

The door opened, and a man stepped out, dressed in an expensive suit that looked completely out of place in Bear Creek. His shoes gleamed like polished onyx, and a glint of gold peeked from beneath his tailored cuff. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses, but Nicole didn’t need to see them to know they would match Mila’s. Her heart plummeted.

It was him.

Mila’s father.

Nicole’s pulse quickened, unease bubbling in her chest. He hadn’t wanted anything to do with them since the day she’d told him she was pregnant. What was he doing here now?

Klein stiffened as the man approached, his confident strides sending waves of tension through the air. Klein stopped walking, his frame rigid. Nicole could see the shift in his posture—the protective instinct kicking in.

Mila seemed to sense her mother’s unease. Quietly, she slipped her hand into Nicole’s. The puppy at her feet let out a soft, uncertain whimper.

“Is everything all right?” Mila whispered.

“Yes.” Nicole squeezed her daughter’s hand, though her voice wavered despite her best efforts. The sight of the man strolling toward her, with that too-perfect smile flashing beneath his sunglasses, made her stomach churn.

“Hi, Nicole,” Mila’s father greeted smoothly. His voice was cool and polished. He sauntered past Klein as if the rancher were invisible.

Klein turned, his broad shoulders tense, and his fists curled at his sides.

Nicole became vaguely aware of another vehicle pulling up behind the sleek black car. Several more people climbed out, cameras slung around their necks and notebooks in hand.

“Hey,” Klein said, his voice a low warning as he took a step forward. His gaze swept over the newcomers like a storm cloud. “What’s going on here?”

The man smiled—a thin, practiced gesture. “I’m here to see my daughter,” he said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Nicole felt Mila’s hand tighten around hers.

“Mom?” Mila’s voice was quiet, filled with uncertainty.

Nicole’s simmering rage threatened to boil over. How dare he show up now? How dare he walk into their lives like this, as if he had the right? Her voice cracked as she spoke. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see my daughter ,” he repeated, emphasizing the word. Nicole wondered if he even knew his daughter’s name.

“Why?” Nicole’s voice was steadier now, sharpened by anger.

The man adjusted his cuff and flashed another of those empty smiles. “I saw her on the news. She’s quite the hero, isn’t she? So, I made some calls—and guess what? I’ve lined up some interviews with some of the biggest news channels. How about a ride in my helicopter?” He turned to Mila, his tone dripping with charm. “What do you say, kiddo?”

Mila’s eyes widened. “A helicopter?” she echoed, loosening her grip on Nicole’s hand.

Nicole felt an irrational fear grip her—fear that her daughter was slipping away. Her stomach twisted as she imagined Mila being swept out of her reach.

Klein loomed behind Mila’s father, his expression dark and threatening as a thunderstorm.

And behind him, the cameras.

This was going to go horribly wrong. She could feel it. Klein’s protective instincts were seconds away from turning this into a scene that would be plastered across every television screen.

“Nicole,” Klein’s voice was gravelly with tension, “do you want me to escort these people off your property?”

“No.” Nicole shook her head, although that was exactly what she wanted him to do. But this time it was Klein who needed protecting.

She stepped forward, still clinging on to Mila’s hand. She had to stay calm. She had to stay in control. “You should go,” she told Klein.

“I’m not leaving,” Klein said, his jaw tense.

Nicole’s anger flashed, and she let it out in the wrong direction. “I don’t need you to fight my battles,” she said, meeting his gaze with fire in her own. But even as she saw the hurt flicker in his eyes, she couldn’t back down. “Go home.”

Klein stared at her for a long moment, his breath slow and heavy, as if fighting for control.

For a moment, she didn’t think he’d listen—but then he gave a brief, reluctant nod.

Mila’s father let out a smug chuckle. “Yeah, go home, cowboy. Leave my family alone.”

Klein’s eyes were like molten amber as they bore into the man’s face. Nicole feared what might happen next.

“Please, Klein,” she pleaded. “Let me handle this.”

Klein exhaled a shuddering breath that spoke of hard-won restraint. Then Finlay appeared at his side and tugged on his sleeve. “Let’s go, Uncle Klein,” the boy urged.

Klein’s gaze locked with Nicole’s one last time. “If that’s what you want.”

Nicole nodded, her heart breaking as she watched her mate turn and walk away. Each step he took felt like a condemned man’s walk to the gallows.

“Okay then,” Mila’s father said, clapping his hands together as if they’d made a casual decision. “Want to grab your things? We’ll get out of this town.”