Page 13 of Bear Creek Father's Day
Orrin’s mind was busy with an idea that might actually pan out. He knew of at least two other local couples who were open to adopting, and perhaps the best way to encourage the process was a planned meet and greet. Some BSA homes had open housedays where people could come for a visit and meet the available cubs in person. Orrin preferred natural meetings, like what had happened today.
Maybe he could adapt the open house idea by inviting one couple at a time for supper or to come along on an outing. Yes, that sounded much better, and it would avoid awkward explanations and the pressure to choose. Orrin decided to bring up the idea with Tasha and see what she thought. After all, wouldn’t it be better if at least some of the cubs he cared for remained in a great place like Bear Creek?
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Griffin and Fort arrived home with a list of supplies that Scout and Birdy needed for school the next day. Orrin checked to make sure he already had everything, and Tasha went upstairs with the boys to lay out their clothes and shoes for the morning. Backpacks were filled with supplies along with an extra T-shirt and pair of shorts in case an accidental shifting ruined their clothing.
Thanks to being a proud mixed community, the school system was careful to include shifter studies, starting with Kindergarten, so that there would be fewer misunderstandings between human and shifter students. Such early training also tended to shut down the most blatant prejudice and discrimination (usually involving parents), though incidents flared up from time to time despite their best efforts.
Since it was Orrin’s turn to cook supper tonight, he recruited both Kip and Rayn to help him. They didn’t have an apron in Kip’s size, so Orrin tucked a white dish towel into the waistband of his pants instead. The little guy was so geeked out by his uniform that he often forgot what he was supposed to be doing.If Rayn already knew the task, she tried to help him, though with mixed success. They were both having fun, and Orrin enjoyed having concentrated time with his little ones.
That thought drew him up short—hislittle ones. Somehow, he’d already slipped into thinking of them as his cubs, and his bear only reinforced it by chiming in with‘ours.’He’d already informed Tasha of the growing bond between them, though she hadn’t been surprised at all.
“Mama bears have that kind of attachment with every litter, and you have such an affinity for cubs that it seems natural for you and your bear to have a similar connection. I think it’s wonderful, and you’ll be a terrific dad. All we have to do is prevent the others from feeling left out.”
While they were busy in the kitchen, Tasha had run out to the curb to collect the day’s mail. Before the other cubs started helping set the table, she brought a single cardboard flyer into the kitchen for Orrin to see.
“Look at this. The new doctor in town is opening up his practice. I swear I’ve seen his face before, but I can’t place it. He’s certainly attractive.”
Orrin turned away from the pot of beef stew he was stirring to take a quick look—and froze. It washim!The muscular blond man at the grocery store. Eyes wide and heart pounding, he snatched the flyer from Tasha’s hand and stared at the photo of Dr. Zachary Hall, D.O. For some reason, his bear automatically connected the fantastic scent he’d picked up that day with the face on the flyer, but how could he know for sure?
Orrin’s aroused pheromones had alerted Tasha. Eyes narrowed in concentration, the memory came back to her in a flash, and she put the pieces together. Orrin clearly had it bad for theguy, and she wondered if it meant simple attraction or a mate situation. After all, it’s not as though he could waltz into the medical clinic and corner the new doc for a good scenting.
“Are you okay, Orrin? I can finish supper if you need a minute to think.”
Without a word, he nodded gratefully, patted Kip and Rayn on the head, and hurried to his private quarters for a breather. He couldn’t deny the possibility that the unique and heart-pounding scent he’d detected at the store might belong to the blond stranger he’d seen exiting the building. He’d need a closer encounter with the man to know for certain, but if he had interpreted the scent correctly, it belonged to another quasi-shifter like Rayn. The man in the photo didn’t have classic shifter features—and he wouldn’t, if the scent truly was his.
Orrin’s bear growled at his human half’s hesitation and chimed in with his own advice tofind him.
If only it were that simple.
Chapter 7
Wednesday, January 22nd, Bear Creek Medical Clinic (BCMC)
Crew Bishop had arrived at five minutes before seven this morning, only to find a backlog of messages waiting for him. It seems the flyer Dr. Hall sent out had been warmly received, and the locals wanted to schedule appointments ASAP. Though he was supposed to be working on Dr. Brewster’s old patient files, the phone hadn’t stopped ringing for two hours straight, and he dutifully typed in the answers to his scripted questions.
“… need your name, date of birth, address and phone number, please… and the reason for your visit?... were you one of Dr. Brewster’s patients?... I see… Dr. Hall has an opening for a complete physical on the eleventh of February at seven a.m. … you’ll need to come fasting for eight to twelve hours prior, and please bring your insurance information… we can mail your forms to you, or you can fill them out here in the office… wonderful.... thank you for calling.”
Zak interrupted him before the phone rang again.
“Activate the voicemail, Crew, and let’s take a break.”
Crew punched a few buttons on the keyboard and stood to stretch.
“Thank you! I didn’t think they would ever stop. I have another batch of appointments for Dr. Brewster’s old patients, so we’ll need to locate their files and get them in our system. But first, I need an infusion of caffeine and something to eat.”
Zak agreed and led the way to the breakroom. There, Crew spotted a fresh pot of coffee and a small box of sweets fromWallin Market. They each helped themselves and settled down for a bit of conversation. Crew gestured towards the sad pastries and got them started.
“Not that I’m complaining, but there are better places to get break room snacks. I’ll overlook it this time, since you’re new to Bear Creek.”
Zak’s ensuing belly laugh echoed off the walls of the small room.
“Oh, I see how it is! So, are you going to share your wisdom, or do I have to guess?”
Crew gave him a toothy smile, glad that his boss had a sense of humor.
“There’s a coffee shop downtown called Zing! that has great brew, and their baked goods come from the Bread Basket—also downtown. The newer place to go is the Red Barn at Shady Lane Orchard, about four miles east of town. Incredible stuff! Sweet breads, scones, cakes, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and some terrific coffee, cider, and hot chocolate that will get your motor going. I don’t know if they deliver, but if we call in an order, I could swing by and pick it up in the morning. Trust me, we’ll all thank you.”
