Page 18 of Bear Creek Father's Day
He was ensconced in a comfy rocking chair in the corner, watching them rest so he could respond if Rayn needed him. The medication and ice-pack had helped reduce the girl’s pain, and she’d quickly nodded off despite the awkward brace on her leg. It was sturdy and confining, thick rather than heavy, but it both protected the wound from further damage and forced Rayn to take things slow and easy. It would also remind the cubs to be careful with and around her until the leg healed.
Truth be told, Orrin had only ever cared for shifters and was unprepared for a mostly human child. It wasn’t just protecting her tender feelings, but her physical needs and limitations as compared to the cubs. Balancing all of that without making her feel like a pariah was a constant challenge. The other little ones also weren’t used to living and interacting with someone who was so different, physically limited by an injury, or who couldn’t join them in bear form.
Orrin was committed to giving her the best life he could, and she deserved no less. If things worked out the way he hoped, Kip would provide the right balance as they grew up together. They would both benefit from having a sibling; each complimenting the other as they learned to accept their true natures in an atmosphere filled with love and encouragement. That ideal included Zak as their second parent, which was the tougher nut to crack. Between him and the children, they’d have to convince the reluctant man to become part of their budding family.
Chapter 9
Saturday morning, January 25th
Zak awoke with a raging hard-on, as he had the previous two mornings, thinking of Orrin Crosby naked and writhing under him. Trying to suppress his feelings did nothing but amplify them, and he took matters in hand for a fast but satisfying wank before starting the day. Ten minutes later, he was at it again in the shower, releasing another load into the swirling water. Two of the shifter gifts he’d received were greater stamina and a short refractory period—much appreciated by his previous hookups, but provoking a bit of angst when it came to a man he simply couldn’t touch.
The purpose of his visit to the Cub House later today was to see Rayn and enjoy a nice meal with the orphans—not to bone their caregiver. Given shifters’ acute sense of smell, he wouldn’t be able to hide any untoward thoughts. That meant deny, deflect, and distract were the only means of making it through the evening without embarrassing himself. There weresevenchildren in the house, plus Orrin and Tasha, and that kind of noisy, energetic mix gave him some hope of covering up any faux pas.
After breakfast, Zak slipped into the clinic to get some things done before the weekend got away from him. The blinking light on Crew’s phone console indicated a full voicemail box, which was a good thing, but the hard-working man was in for another busy week. Though Dixy wasn’t available until Thursday, both Crew and Jessica would be there for the Monday through Wednesday soft opening. Many of the supplies she’d ordered for her midwife practice had arrived, and he brought them to her assigned space in treatment room three.
The morning flew by while Zak also dealt with paying bills, catching up on emails, and putting the last few touches on the clinic’s website. Before he knew it, it was lunchtime, and he went back to the house for a quick meal before running an important errand. Zak didn’t want to show up at the Cub House empty-handed, and he thought a trip to the Red Barn might do the trick. Besides, Crew had convinced him that they had a lot to offer, and he wanted to see for himself.
The four-mile drive lasted only a few minutes, and he pulled in and parked near a large, older barn. The smaller Red Barn was nearby, and exactly what the name suggested, though a much newer construction. Being a Saturday, the lot held a number of vehicles, and he even spotted people ice skating on a pond behind the building. As he walked toward the main doors, a rather vocal tuxedo cat intercepted him, apparently expecting to be petted.
Zak leaned down to scratch the feline’s ears, prompting a buzzing purr he could feel through his insulated gloves. A deep voice cut through the chilled winter air, just as the scent of a shifter reached his nose.
“Don’t let Baxter fool you. He’s not starving for attention.”
Zak looked up to find an attractive, bearded man with a scarred face. He leaned in to scent Zak and pulled back with a single cocked eyebrow, noting the diamond stud in his left earlobe. Hmm... not a shifter, though he sort of smelled like one.
“Welcome to Shady Lane. I’m Gruff Cunningham. You must be the new doc in town.”
Zak reached out to shake his hand while Baxter pawed at Cunningham’s leg.
“That’s right—I’m Zak Hall. One of my new staff members recommended the Red Barn, and I came to check it out.”
Cunningham reached down to scoop up the persistent feline and set him on his shoulder. They made quite the pair.
“There’s plenty to see inside, and you’ll get to meet my mate, Dustin. He runs the Red Barn while I take care of the rest. Enjoy your visit, and welcome to Bear Creek.”
Zak thanked the man and headed for the main entrance. Inside, the sweet aroma of baked goods hung heavy in the air, and a quick visual sweep of the space revealed a unique interior filled with country charm. An employee waved to him from behind the counter, and he walked over to get some information. The blonde woman wore a forest green apron and name tag that read ‘Jillian.’
“Hello! May I help you find something?”
Zak couldn’t help but smile at the friendly woman.
“Well, I’m new in town, and this is my first visit. Dr. Zachary Hall, at your service.”
Jillian blushed as she recognized Zak’s handsome face from the flyer she’d received in the mail recently.
“Welcome Dr. Hall. Everyone in town is excited to have you here, and my husband and I already have appointments set up at the clinic. What brings you to the Red Barn?”
After years of big city life, Zak wasn’t used to such pleasant people—even if Mayor Tillman had warned him.
“I understand you have some of the best baked goods around, and I want to spoil my staff.”
Jillian chuckled, gesturing to the bakery counter nearby.
“You’re in luck! We offer free samples of nearly everything in the case, so go on over and pick out some things to try. Clarice will be happy to help you, and I can set you up with a charge account if you’d like.”
The closest Zak could come to growling was his stomach, which was working overtime at the moment. Though his shifter genes enabled him to pack it away like a bear, he had to turn all that fuel into muscle if he wanted to maintain a healthy weight. The sugar-laden feast before him, however, might require a heavier workout. Everything looked delectable, and since he was the only one at the counter, he started at one end and worked his way through the varied offerings. Fortunately, Clarice had handed him a full-color brochure and a pen so he could note his favorites.
“We also have seasonal and holiday offerings besides the choices you see here. Special orders are welcome with adequate notice and can be picked up around the corner of the building at the weigh station windows to save time.”
