Page 34 of Bear Creek Father's Day
“Hi, Orrin! We’ve got your order of Bear Snax and Nut Bombs ready to go, but can I get you something else from the case?”
Orrin blushed, caught salivating over the Valentines candies.
“These look very nice. Can I get a small gift box?”
Aiden grinned, wondering who the intended recipient might be, and happy that the sweet guy might have finally found someone special.
“Sure. These are made with the finest criollo cocoa powder and come six in a box with a little gift tag on the lid. How many would you like?”
Orrin leaned closer to the display case, growling at the delectable treats.
“Just one, thanks. May I try a sample?”
Aiden nodded, pointing at each variety as he spoke.
“I have milk, dark, caramel, mint, raspberry, and cherry.”
Orrin chose a dark chocolate sample, nibbling on the candy while Aiden filled the fancy-looking box and placed it in a bag with his other items. A contented purr rumbled softly in the now-empty shop as Orrin’s sharp senses detected a fuller, richer flavor.
“Yum. I’ve never tried any of the criollo chocolates before, but I can sure taste the difference. I bet Zak will love these!”
Uh oh. Orrin’s slip of the tongue had revealed who he was buying them for, and both Aiden and Serena looked up in surprise to find his face beet-red. Thankfully, they didn’t say anything, and Orrin hurried to pay for his purchases without acknowledging the gaff. Flustered, he grabbed the bag and had his hand on the door before remembering that he’d wanted to talk to Aiden. Feeling like a fool, he turned around and approached the man once more.
“If you have a few minutes, could I speak with you in private?”
The request was unusual, and Aiden wondered if it had something to do with Doctor Hall.
“Of course. Toby should be back any minute, so let’s meet in my office. Go around back and knock on the first door.”
Orrin drove around behind the building and was escorted through the employee entrance in a matter of minutes. Aiden’s office was small, neat, and had a window that overlooked the adjacent production floor. He offered Orrin a seat and was handed a manilla folder. Inside, he found photos of two cubs along with some printed information about them. Orrin began explaining before Aiden could ask.
“The one waving at the camera is Griffin, and the other is Fort. The boys have been together since before the BSA found them, and they were transferred here last fall. Based on what you’ve told me, I think the pair are an ideal match for you and Dash. I know you were initially interested in a single cub, but these two are as close as littermates and need to stay together. They’re both smart, cooperative, do well in school, and have quickly adjusted to city life. I wanted to bring the boys to your attention and see what you and Dash think about the possibility of adopting them.”
Orrin sat quietly, allowing Aiden to scan the information and think for a minute without feeling pressured. This wasn’t a decision he could make lightly or by himself, nor should it be, but the idea had to be introduced to get things moving. Aiden’s scent revealed sympathy, interest, and some fear. He studied the photos closely, and then lay them down with a small smile on his face.
“They’readorable. I have a hard time understanding what they’ve been through, but there’s no doubt they need a stable, loving home. One thing that comes to mind is how we’ll manage the whole school routine, given the odd work schedules Dash and I have. We’ve been talking about hiring a housekeeper to clean and make meals so the two of us can spend more time together, but if we found someone who was good with kids too…”
Orrin wasn’t opposed to the idea, but he did have a suggestion.
“I think the boys would be fine with that, though I believe an older, female shifter would be ideal for the position. She’d have to be carefully vetted, of course, but the BSA can help with that if you need it. Since I know the boys better than anyone, I’d be happy to interview your prospective housekeepers as well.”
Aiden looked relieved.
“Would you? It’s such an important step and we don’t want to mess things up by making a poor choice. Obviously, I need to talk this over with Dash first, but assuming he’s agreeable, what’s our next step?”
Orrin was happy to hear that there was at least a chance for the boys.
“You’ll want to meet them, of course, and see if there’s any connection or interest. A group meal at the Cub House or a fun activity could be arranged. If it goes well, then the boys can spend some time alone with you and Dash—get a taste for what your lives are like and where they would live. No promises made at that point, but it usually doesn’t take long to sense if you’re moving in the right direction. Dash will be able to monitor their scents and tell you a lot about what the boys are feeling, even if they don’t say anything.”
Aiden liked what he was hearing.
“That all sounds doable. It’s a coincidence, I’m sure, but Dustin Cunningham was in the shop earlier today saying he and Gruff were seriously thinking about adopting Zuzu. He also said he’d been comparing notes with Knox McCoy, and I guess he and Levi are going to meet a pair of littermates tomorrow. Has something changed all of a sudden?”
Both men chuckled, and while Orrin wouldn’t normally be sharing such information, the genie was clearly out of the bottle.
“I don’t think so, but I guess when things fall into place you just have to run with it. I’ve never had a situation like this because all of my previous cubs went to homes out of the area. Between you and me, I plan to adopt Kip and Rayn—maybe with Zak, if things go well. It would actually be a good thing if the group I have all stayed in Bear Creek. The cubs already know one another and the town, and they’d have friends and classmates nearby. Sparing them another major move, along with adapting to a new family, would go a long way towards helping them settle in and feel connected right from the start. I realize it may not work out that way, but I’m hopeful.”
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