Page 21 of Bear Creek Father's Day
“Would you like me to open it, or should we save it for another time?”
Zak shook his head and took it from Orrin.
“The gift is for everyone, but Dustin thought Zuzu might like to open it. He told me that he and Gruff are eager to see her tomorrow.”
The curly-headed sparkler’s eyes widened to saucers, and she placed the rectangular box on the table before deftly removing the wrapping paper.
“Oohhh…it’s a BAXTER game!”
The children were all jumping and shouting, as they’d seen the game at the Red Barn and knew who Baxter was. Amid the ruckus, Orrin interjected his thoughts.
“Thank you! I’ve wanted to buy this for the cubs, but… well, never mind.”
Orrin was so grateful that he automatically reached for Zak, pulling him in for a kiss. Surprised, but pleased, Zak responded in kind, burly arms wrapped around Orrin’s slimmer frame. While the others caused a commotion, two pairs of little hands patted at their hips and the men parted to find Kip and Rayn smiling up at them. They each picked up a child, and Rayn shared her thoughts with Zak in a quiet voice.
“You kissed him! When you get married, can I be the flower girl?”
Orrin quirked an eyebrow at Zak, who once again blushed. Instead of answering, the kids both got smooches on the cheek, and the four of them turned to the rest of the cubs so Orrin could make an announcement.
“All right, everybody quiet down. What do you say to Zak?”
They all shouted their thanks and then asked if they could play the game. Orrin deferred.
“Tell you what, let’s give Zak a tour of the house first, and then we’ll come back here and play ‘Where’s Baxter?’ for a while.”
The plan seemed to satisfy everyone, and they made their way through the downstairs first, before showing Zak their big bedroom on the second floor. While Rayn remained in Zak’s arms, he dutifully noted their stuffed animals, trinkets, and books while they all talked at once. Orrin took the opportunity to stay close, resting a warm, possessive palm on Zak’s broad lower back as he held Kip’s hand on the other side. An overwhelming feeling ofrightnesscaused Orrin to break out in goosebumps—his bear repeating the mantra of ‘ours’, over and over in his mind.
He had no idea what Zak was thinking, but Orrin hoped he could somehow picture this as their future. The man had no bear to guide him, but it was clear that his sense of smell was strong enough to detect the basics of lust and attraction. Plus Orrin knew far more about what Zak was feeling than anything the reluctant man had revealed thus far with words. Nevertheless, this tentative connection was too important to rush and end up scaring the man away.
When the cavalcade returned to the dining room, Orrin opened the game and helped the children learn how to play. Even now, Rayn and Kip sat on the men’s laps, though they’d switched places so that Rayn was with Orrin and Kip with Zak. Zuzu had enough energy for the entire group, and they played a couple of rounds before Orrin sent them upstairs to get their jammies on and report to the living room for story time—to be read by their guest tonight.
As soon as they’d all disappeared, Orrin pulled Zak in for a blistering kiss—one that he enthusiastically returned. They couldn’t hold it for long, however, and Orrin had something to say while they were alone. He spoke as they made their way to the living room.
“We’ve got about thirty seconds, so I’ll make this quick. All I ask is that you give us a chance. My bear and I both want you, but Rayn and Kip are part of the deal. If you don’t want us, then say so now.”
Zak wasn’t shocked by Orrin’s words, but the swiftness of whatever this was between them frightened him. Shifters were able to move quickly when they found a mate, and presumably, Orrin and his bear considered Zak a likely candidate. With the sound of little feet coming down the steps, he gave Orrin an answer.
“I can’t promise forever right now, but I’d like to see where our relationship goes. I just need more time.”
Orrin’s face lit up like the sun.
“I can work with that. My day off is tomorrow and I want to see you.”
Zak nodded as the room flooded with little ones, all eager to hear their bedtime story and spend more time with their visitor. They settled on the floor as usual, backs to the warm fireplace, as Orrin handed a library book to Zak. While the kids always listened, they were particularly curious to see how Zak would read the story. Was he fast or slow? Would he use voices? Did he know what the book was about?
They needn’t have worried, as Zak pulled out all the stops to bring the chapter to life for them. They couldn’t have knownthat his parents had read this very same series to him as a child, and he thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the world and characters after so many years had passed. He stumbled a time or two, but the children didn’t seem to notice or care. Lost in the tale, time passed too quickly, and before they knew it, the chapter was over. The kids knew better than to ask for another, but it was clear they would have stayed up all night listening to the man read.
At Orrin’s invitation, Zak accompanied them upstairs to get them settled for bed. They scattered to use the bathroom and brush their teeth, with instructions to reconvene in the large room filled with bunk beds. To be on the safe side, Zak checked Rayn’s leg and pronounced that the wound was healing very nicely. By the time the others returned, he’d applied a fresh bandage and strapped on the brace. She wrapped her little arms around his neck for a grateful squeeze, and Zak gently rubbed her back as she rested against him.
Since this was a group sleep night, Orrin brought out Rayn’s sleeping bag and grabbed the pillow from her bed while the others stripped and shifted. Zak wondered what the girl would think, but she appeared to be content sleeping on the floor, surrounded by bear cubs. It was the sweetest thing he’d ever seen, and he followed Orrin’s lead to pet each of the little ones and scratch their ears. When he got to Rayn, Zak leaned down to kiss her forehead and wish her pleasant dreams. She thanked him for visiting and asked a question.
“Will I see you again?”
He gave her a reassuring smile.
“Of course, sweetheart. I can’t be here every day, but I’ll visit as often as I can. Meanwhile, you have Tasha, Orrin, and Kip towatch over you, and soon I’ll see you at the clinic to check your leg again.”
Apparently, that was what Rayn needed to hear, and she snuggled into her sleeping bag with Kip curled up by her side. It had been an eventful night, and it didn’t take long for the entire lot to fall asleep. Orrin waited to make sure they were settled before crooking a finger at Zak and pointing towards the stairs. They quietly left the room together, making their way to the front hallway, where Zak collected his coat. Orrin embraced him—deeply scenting the man while purring with contentment.
