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

What if Nicole sees through Tammy’s clumsy attempt to give us time alone with our mate? Klein said to his bear as he led Nicole out of the examination room. He half-expected his mate to have second thoughts about accompanying him to the cabin and turn around, going back inside.

But, thankfully, she didn’t. Instead, she followed him, and an intense sense of relief washed over him.

Relax, his bear replied. Don’t overthink this.

I’m trying not to, Klein told his bear as he ran a hand down the back of his neck, trying to steady his breathing. But with my mate so close, it’s hard to think rationally.

Back inside the examination room, he could hear Tammy and Mila talking about the scruffy little puppy. When he half-turned to look at them, his eyes instead were drawn to Nicole.

It was as if she had cast a spell on him.

One we do not want to break, his bear said happily.

No, indeed, Klein replied.

Nicole’s gaze locked onto Klein, causing a blush to spread across his face. She had caught him staring at her, but she didn’t seem offended or bothered by it.

Because she knows, his bear said happily.

How much? Klein pondered.

You mean, does she know about shifters, or about mates, or that we are bonded? his bear asked.

All the above, Klein replied.

It’s your job to find out, his bear said, giving him a mental prod.

“Mila looks happy,” Klein said, searching for something normal to say. It wasn’t easy when the words on the tip of his tongue were: Please marry me and let me spend the rest of my life worshiping you.

“She is in her element. She loves animals so much,” Nicole replied, oblivious to the thoughts in Klein’s head.

Thank goodness, his bear said dryly.

“She’s very good with the puppy,” Klein said, ignoring his bear’s unhelpful comments. But it seemed so natural to talk to Nicole. He’d been afraid things might be awkward between them, as they often were between strangers. And they were strangers.

No, we are mates, his bear insisted.

Mates who have just met are still strangers, Klein pointed out. He fought the urge to reach out and brush his fingers against hers, just to feel that spark of recognition again.

Not for long, his bear replied.

Klein refocused on Nicole. His bear was being far too distracting. “Maybe she’ll be a veterinarian when she’s older.”

“Maybe she will,” Nicole said with a nod. “I’m so grateful Tammy saw us at such short notice.”

“She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. Night or day, Tammy is always ready to help an animal in need,” Klein replied.

Not to mention a soon-to-be-brother-in-law who needs a little help in the mate department, his bear said dryly.

Once again, he ignored his bear’s comment as he closed the door to the examination room. Nicole folded her arms across her body as she inhaled the sweet mountain air. She looked tired, perhaps worn out from the stress of moving to a new place or haunted by shadows from her past.

Was she running to Bear Creek for a fresh start, or running away from her past?

Whatever her reasons, he was thankful she was here.

And ready to help with whatever she needed.

As someone who had lived in Bear Creek all his life—who had never needed to start over somewhere completely unfamiliar—he could only imagine how hard it must be for her to move away from everyone and everything she knew.

He admired her for her courage and her determination to create a new life for herself and her daughter.

“It’s a nice day,” he said, even though it sounded lame. Like something you’d say to a passerby on the street. Certainly not to your mate.

Nicole looked up at him, her lips curling into a small smile. “It really is,” she said, her eyes scanning the open courtyard and the mountains beyond. She seemed to relax a little, her shoulders loosening as she looked at the scenery. “And Bear Creek seems like such a wonderful place. More than I ever imagined.”

“I like to think so,” Klein replied. “But then I am biased.”

“You’ve lived here all your life?” Nicole asked as they walked across the courtyard toward Uncle Gavin’s cabin.

“I have,” he admitted, as they strolled side by side. “Born and raised right here in Bear Creek. My family has deep roots in this town.”

Nicole nodded thoughtfully. “That must be nice, having such a strong connection to a place. Knowing you belong.”

“It is,” Klein agreed. “But it’s never too late to put down new roots.” He met her gaze, hoping she could see the sincerity in his eyes. He longed to help her plant those roots, to help nurture them and watch them grow. “Bear Creek has a way of making everyone feel like they belong. Give it a little time, and I think you’ll feel right at home here, too.”

“I hope so,” Nicole admitted as she glanced back toward the closed door of the examination room. “This move was all about a fresh start.”

Klein sensed there was more to her story, but he didn’t press. She would share when she was ready. For now, he was content just to enjoy her company, to bask in her presence.

And what a presence it is, his bear said happily, wanting to run to the highest peak and roar out to the world that he had found his mate. At last, his bear added.

At last. Klein chuckled to himself. It was hard to believe that only a couple of hours ago he was racing across the mountain meadow, a head full of fear that his mate would forever remain elusive.

And now, here she is, his bear sighed. And she has a child, so we are a family. Not that we haven’t always been a part of a family.

But this is something different, Klein agreed, understanding his bear’s sentiment.

Something that is uniquely ours, his bear added. Our family. Us, Nicole, and Mila.

“So, have you and Tammy been together long?” Nicole asked as they climbed the porch steps, and he reached for the door.

Behind it, he could hear the faint sound of Dougray laughing. His brother had big ears!

“Oh, Tammy and I aren’t mates…” He rested his hand on the door handle. “Tammy and my brother Dougray are engaged.”

“Oh!” Nicole blushed as she covered her mouth with her hands, looking relieved—at least that’s how it seemed to Klein.

Oh yeah, she looks relieved, his bear said happily. She knows there is a connection between us. She sensed it when we touched. If not before.

“Yes, I was just helping Dougray bring a dresser over.” He stepped inside the kitchen and held the door open for her.

“I see,” Nicole said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to a conclusion.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Klein replied reassuringly. “It was an easy assumption to make.”

“But you live close by?” Nicole asked as she followed him inside and closed the door behind them.

“Yes.” He’d half-expected Dougray to be lurking in the kitchen, waiting to be the first to meet Klein’s mate. But the kitchen was empty.

Although Dougray had made himself useful and set a fresh pot of coffee to brew. And there were some of Camille’s delicious, flaky pastries on the table.

Along with Uncle Gavin’s best china cups, Klein’s bear said.

He’d have to thank his brother later for helping set such a cozy, inviting scene.

“Please, sit. I’ll pour us some coffee,” Klein said, pulling out a chair for his mate.

“Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?” Nicole sat down and clasped her hands together as she rested them on the table, looking a little awkward.

“Not at all,” Klein insisted, pushing out his senses to locate Dougray. He did not want his brother eavesdropping on his conversation with Nicole.

But Dougray had gone through to the extension and was clattering about, no doubt rearranging the furniture now that the dresser was here.

Nesting, Klein’s bear said.

Klein smiled to himself. Would that be him soon? The answer was a resounding yes !

And he could not wait.

But for now, he was content to pour his mate a cup of coffee and sit with her, learning all he could about this woman who had changed his life in an instant.

“Thank you,” she said as he placed a cup of coffee down on the table.

“You are welcome.” Klein slid into a seat across the table and tried not to stare. It was almost impossible to take his eyes off her in case she disappeared.

She’s not going anywhere, his bear assured him.

“Here,” Klein said, a little abruptly, as he remembered the pastries on the table. “Try one of these. Camille—one of my other brother’s mate—bakes them, and they are incredibly good.”

“Mate?” Nicole asked. “Is that a local colloquialism?”

His stomach clenched—he needed to tread carefully. “A… Yeah,” Klein replied, as he reached for a plate and handed it to Nicole.

Don’t worry, once Nicole tastes one of Camille’s pastries, she’ll forget everything, his bear said happily, except us.

“These do look delicious,” Nicole said. “And since I haven’t eaten since breakfast this morning…”

Nicole helped herself to a flaky, golden-brown pastry from the plate Klein offered. As she took a bite, her eyes widened in delight. “Oh my goodness, this is amazing!” she exclaimed, savoring the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth layers and the sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling.

Klein grinned, pleased by her reaction. “I’m glad you like them. Camille is an incredible baker.”

“She is,” Nicole agreed. “Has she been your brother’s…mate…for long?”

Forever, might have been the most accurate answer, but also the most confusing, since Nicole seemed to have no idea what being a mate truly meant.

I guess we answered that question, his bear replied.

Yeah, I don’t think she has any clue about shifters, Klein agreed.

“They met a few months ago when Camille moved to town,” Klein said as he helped himself to a pastry, even though he was too excited to eat.

Now, that is a first, his bear said.

“Another new arrival in town,” Nicole said as she washed her pastry down with a sip of coffee. “Has she settled here? I was worried about how the people of Bear Creek react to new arrivals.” She hesitated, then added, “No offense.”

Klein laughed good-naturedly. “None taken at all. I know exactly what you mean. Small towns can sometimes be wary of outsiders. But I promise the people of Bear Creek are the warmest, most welcoming folks you’ll ever meet. We’re always happy to embrace new friends.”

And new mates, his bear said.

“That’s a relief to hear,” Nicole said, visibly relaxing. “It’s not easy starting over in a new place, especially with a teenager. It’s a tough age to find new friends. I want Mila to feel at home here.”

“And she will,” Klein assured her.

“I hope so,” Nicole replied. “I want her to thrive here.”

“Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place,” Klein said, casting a reassuring smile at Nicole.

“I think I have,” Nicole agreed. “When we left this morning, I know Mila was putting on a brave face. For me…”

“It sounds like she’s a good kid, a credit to you,” Klein said.

“A credit to herself,” Nicole said, her voice filled with motherly pride. “I’m so lucky to have her. She’s so caring and resilient—nothing fazes her. In so many ways, she inspires me.”

Klein nodded, understanding the depth of the bond between mother and daughter. He’d always had a strong, loving relationship with his parents, and he was glad Nicole and Mila shared the same kind of bond. “And I’m sure she admires you. It’s obvious how much you care for her.”

Nicole gave a crooked smile. “She’s my world.” She took another sip of her coffee. “I have to admit, I was nervous about moving here. Starting fresh in a new town, not knowing anyone. But meeting you and Tammy…it’s made me feel so much more at ease.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Klein said sincerely. “Consider us your first friends in Bear Creek. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Nicole’s smile widened. “You’re very kind.”

“And you are very welcome.” Klein nodded.

“There might be one thing you can help me with.” Nicole brushed the crumbs from her fingers.

“Name it.” Klein took a bite of his pastry, his appetite returning now that he had broken the ice with his mate.

“Mila would love to ride through the mountains. I don’t suppose you know of anywhere we could hire some horses?” Nicole asked.

“Why don’t you come on over to the Thornberg Ranch, and I could take you out,” Klein replied, then hastily added, “riding.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean…” Nicole stammered. “I don’t want you to think…”

Klein cracked a smile. “It would be my pleasure. Mila obviously loves animals. And we have a young foal she would adore.”

Plus, it would be a good excuse for the rest of the family to meet our mate, his bear added.

And goodness knows, they will not give us any peace until they do, Klein agreed.

How lucky are we, his bear said.

The luckiest, Klein answered. But what if she runs when she learns my secret?

You mean being an animal lover is one thing. Having one as your lover is another, his bear chuckled.

That should never ever be repeated, Klein teased, even though he knew exactly what his bear meant.