Page 9 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Klein stood on the sidewalk, his gaze fixed on Nicole’s car until it disappeared from view. Even then, he didn’t move. Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment, locking his shifter senses onto her, feeling the gentle pull of her presence even as she drove away. Part of him felt a pang of loss at the increasing distance between them. Even a short distance felt too far.

But another part of him was so happy, so profoundly grateful, that he had a mate to lock onto at all.

We are blessed, his inner bear rumbled in agreement.

We are, Klein replied, shaking his head as a wide grin spread across his face. A grin that probably made him look like a fool. But he didn’t care.

We are a fool, his bear teased, a fool in love.

Klein chuckled, reaching into his pocket for his keys. You’re so corny.

And so happy, his bear added, his joy a mirror of Klein’s own feelings.

And relieved, Klein admitted, as he fished the keys out of his pocket and unlocked his truck. He opened the door and climbed in, settling into the driver’s seat. For a moment, he just sat there, his hands resting on the steering wheel, savoring the feeling that had taken over his whole being.

Joy, hope, anticipation. They all mingled into one.

Then he remembered he’d promised to text directions to the ranch to Nicole. He pulled his phone from his pocket, tapping the screen to bring up her contact information.

We do not want her to think we have let her down, his bear said.

No, we do not. With a sigh of satisfaction, he typed out the message and hit send, a sense of accomplishment settling over him. He slipped the phone back into his pocket, inserted the key into the ignition, and started the engine.

The drive through town was familiar, but everything felt different now. As he followed the winding mountain roads, Klein couldn’t shake the feeling that his entire world had shifted. It all seemed so surreal. He wasn’t the same person who had passed under the sign to the Thornberg Ranch just a couple of hours ago, heading over to Dougray’s lodge.

His life had changed in an instant—the moment he had sensed his mate.

And it will never be the same again, his bear added, its voice filled with a kind of reverent awe.

No, it won’t, Klein agreed. It will get better and better.

He drove on, the scenery blurring past him, until he reached the familiar wooden sign for the Thornberg Ranch. He stopped the truck, climbed out, and walked over to open the gate. The metal latch clicked as he swung it wide, the sound echoing in the quiet mountain air.

Klein ran his hand over the old wooden sign, remembering a dozen childhood memories that had taken place beyond this gate.

Tomorrow Nicole and Mila will drive under this very sign, his bear mused, a note of satisfaction in its tone.

Yes, and that will truly be the beginning of our journey together, Klein agreed, driving the truck through and stopping again to hop out and close the gate. He hurried back to the driver’s seat, eager now, anticipation thrumming in his veins. He was desperate to share his news with his family, to let them know that his wait was finally over.

Do you think Dougray has already told them? his bear asked, a hint of amusement in its voice.

We’ll soon find out, Klein replied as he got back into the truck and headed for home. Dougray had never been the best secret keeper, especially when it came to something important. Klein doubted his brother would be able to hold back. Not over news like this.

The ranch house came into view, a familiar sight he never tired of. As he pulled up, he noticed Tammy’s truck parked nearby.

She is inside the house with Dougray, Klein’s bear told him.

Maybe Tammy has managed to keep Dougray from spilling the news, Klein replied.

If she has, it’ll be a miracle, his bear chuckled.

Well, after today, I’m a believer in miracles. Klein climbed out of the truck, striding toward the house, his palms sweaty as nervous energy flooded his veins. This was it. Telling his family would make it all feel so much more real.

It is real, his bear told him.

I know. At least, I think I know, Klein said. But the farther we are from our mate, the more I keep thinking it’s all a dream.

If it is, it is the sweetest of dreams, his bear said. And one I do not want to wake from. Not ever.

Klein could already hear voices coming from inside; they were familiar and comforting. But as he reached the porch, the front door abruptly swung open, and there stood Dougray, an impatient expression on his face.

“Klein!” Dougray called out, stepping aside to let his brother in. “You’re back. Took your time, didn’t you?”

“Are you criticizing me for spending time with my mate?” Klein asked lightly.

“No,” Dougray replied. “It’s just…”

Klein chuckled at the pained expression on his brother’s face. “You didn’t tell anyone about…”

“No,” Dougray protested, casting a glance toward the kitchen. “Of course not.”

“I thought your brother was going to explode if you didn’t get back soon.” There was a teasing note in Tammy’s voice as she crossed the hallway to join them.

“I’m shocked you managed to keep my news to yourself.” Klein placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“I’m wounded,” Dougray said in mock offense at Klein’s insinuation.

Tammy snorted and feigned innocence as Dougray frowned at her. “Come on, you know what you are like, Dougray. You might not have told your mom the news, but she sure knows something is up.”

“Does she?” Klein cocked an eyebrow at his brother.

Dougray shrugged, his grin widening. “What can I say? It’s not every day my brother finds his mate.”

“Come on.” Klein squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “Let’s go break the news.”

Klein couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he made his way across the hallway to the kitchen, where the aroma of his mom’s cooking greeted him as it always had. This was his mom’s domain and the beating heart of the Thornberg Ranch.

“Ah, there you are. I thought I heard your truck pull up outside.” Mary set down the wooden spoon she had been using to stir a large pan of soup. Tomato and basil, if his senses hadn’t abandoned him.

“Hey, Mom.” He crossed the kitchen and hugged her tightly.

“Is everything all right?” Mary asked as she patted him on the back, just like she used to when he was a child who had taken a tumble from a tree.

“Everything is fine,” he said, although there was a distinct wobble to his voice. “I have some news.”

Mary inched back, her eyes widening as she took in the expression on her son’s face. “What is it, son?”

Klein took a deep breath as the enormity of his announcement tried to steal his words. “I found her, Mom. My mate. Her name is Nicole, and she has a daughter named Mila.”

Mary’s hand flew to her mouth, tears springing to her eyes. “Oh, Klein! That’s wonderful!” She pulled him back into a tight hug. Klein buried his face in her shoulder, breathing in her familiar scent.

“I’m so happy for you,” Mary whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She pulled back, cupping his face in her hands. “Tell me everything.”

Klein hesitated. How could he put something like this into words? “It was like the world stopped spinning, Mom. The moment I saw her, I just knew. My bear knew, too. It was like everything just clicked into place.”

“Oh, Klein.” Mary sighed happily.

“She’s perfect, Mom. Beautiful, smart, strong. And her daughter, Mila, she’s incredible—compassionate, kind. I can’t wait for you to meet them both,” Klein gushed happily.

Mary squeezed his hands, her eyes bright with tears of joy. “I can’t wait, either. Why don’t you invite her over to the ranch?”

“I already did. Tomorrow. They’re coming over tomorrow morning,” Klein replied, suddenly nervous at the thought. Would they like it here? Would they share his love of the ranch and the people and animals that called it home? “Nicole said Mila wants to ride, and so I invited them here.”

“Wonderful! I’ll make lunch…something special.” Mary’s mind was already racing with plans for a feast for the newest visitors to the Thornberg Ranch as she turned back to the stove and stirred the soup. “I’ll call Camille and ask her to bake a pie. Or a cake. Yes, maybe a nice chocolate cake. I’m sure Mila would like that…”

“I’m sure she will,” Klein agreed.

“And you knew about this, Dougray?” Mary suddenly seemed to remember her other son was in the kitchen. “And you didn’t tell me!”

Dougray held up his hands. “I figured this was Klein’s news to tell.”

“Oh, it is,” Mary agreed. “I’m simply surprised you managed to hold it in.”

Dougray rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to protest, as everyone in the room burst into laughter. “Nice. Gang up on me, why don’t you?”

Tammy smiled affectionately at Dougray, giving him a playful nudge. “Well, you are big enough to take it.”

Dougray looked appeased as Tammy threaded her fingers through his, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. He grinned. “I am, aren’t I?”

Klein couldn’t wait to have this kind of easy, natural rapport with his own mate. He longed for those moments of quiet connection—the sense of being completely at ease with someone.

Soon, his bear assured him, the words carrying a certainty that Klein clung to. Soon, we will be like two halves of a whole.

Klein turned his head at the sound of the door opening, and he saw his mother look up as Waylan, his father, entered the kitchen. Waylan’s gaze swept the room, taking in the faces of his sons and Tammy.

“I wondered what had happened to my ranch hands,” Waylan said, his voice carrying a note of amusement. “And now I’ve found them.” His eyes narrowed as he took in the happiness that seemed to fill the room. “Did I miss something?”

Mary nodded. “You sure did.”

A sheepish grin spread across Klein’s face. Perhaps he should have waited for his dad to be there before making his announcement. He cleared his throat, steadying his voice as he said, “I met my mate.”

For a moment, there was silence, the words hanging in the air. Then Waylan’s eyes widened, and a broad smile broke across his face. “Oh, my!” He crossed the kitchen in just a few strides, wrapping his arms around Klein in a tight bear hug. “I am so happy for you, son.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Klein said, his voice thick with emotion as he hugged his father back. When Waylan pulled away, his eyes were a little misty. He sniffed, ducking his head slightly as he turned, walking over to Mary and pulling her into a hug.

“Who would have thought?” Mary murmured into Waylan’s shoulder.

“It’s sure been a long time coming,” Waylan agreed, his voice thick with emotion as he held his wife close.

Mary nodded, pulling back just enough to look up into her husband’s eyes. There was a mixture of joy and sadness in her gaze—joy for the sons who had found their mates, but also a sadness that lingered, unspoken. Klein knew that look. It was a look that spoke of the empty space in their family, the absence that could not be ignored. It was for Jay, the son who had yet to return, the brother they all missed deeply.

Klein’s heart ached. No matter how many of them found their mates, no matter how much joy filled the ranch, there would always be a missing piece until Jay came back. His mother’s eyes, filled with both love and longing, made it clear that the family would never truly be whole again until they were all together.

Klein stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his mother’s shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes softening, and she gave him a small smile. “We’re so happy for you, Klein,” she said, her voice trembling just a little.

“Thanks, Mom.” Klein glanced at Dougray and Tammy, who stood with their arms around each other, and then back at his parents. “And one day, Jay will come back, too. I know it.”

Mary nodded, her smile growing a little stronger, her eyes glistening. “I hope so,” she whispered, her gaze drifting to Waylan, who gave her a reassuring nod.

Klein swallowed hard. He had found his mate, and it was everything he had hoped for. But now, more than ever, he wanted his family to be complete. He wanted to share this joy with all of his brothers—including Jay. And he knew, deep down, that someday they would. They just had to hold on to that hope.