Page 51 of Bear Creek Father's Day
The pair headed downstairs and were poking through the kitchen when they heard impatient knocks on the connecting door. Kip and Rayn were on the other side and rushed the couple, receiving hugs and kisses. Rayn then delivered her message.
“Tasha said to come and get you for supper.”
Not to be left out, Kip piped up with his own contribution.
“Fench fies!”
Zak gave him a quick tickle.
“Well, we don’t want to miss those. Let’s go.”
The rest of the kids waited at the bottom of the stairs, excited to see them but also eager to eat now that everyone was present. Orrin went to give Tasha a hand in the kitchen while Zak herded the little ones into the dining room and got them seated. He enjoyed these noisy, chaotic meals, having grown up with only his parents for company, and presumed that he and kids would be frequent guests at this table—even after the coming changes.
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Friday, Bear Creek Medical Clinic
Their last patient for the morning had just left the building, and with seven minutes to go before lunch, Crew checked the afternoon schedule to see what they were facing. He looked up as Dixy approached his workstation with a crooked smile.
“Brief staff meeting in the breakroom. Zak said to go ahead and forward the phones.”
Crew did so, removed his headset, and followed Dixy down the hall. Doc and Jessica were already there, and he wondered what this was all about. Zak cleared his throat and got started.
“I wanted you to know that as of Sunday, I’ll no longer be living next door. I’m moving in with Orrin, Kip, and Rayn.”
Smiles broke out among the staff, all of them happy for Zak but not terribly surprised. Jessica was the first to speak.
“How exciting! You make a great couple, and your little ones are precious. Uh, what will you do with the house?”
Zak had expected the question.
“Long-term plans are up in the air, but in two weeks, a woman named Cora Middleton will move in until she can find a place of her own. She’s Dash and Aiden’s new housekeeper, and her work hours closely match ours, so we won’t even know she’s there. Just to be safe, I’m going to have new locks installed on the clinic side of the door, and an external security system with cameras for both the house and the clinic.”
While Zak appreciated their well wishes, he was relieved to go home for lunch and escape the focused attention of his staff. They didn’t do anything wrong, of course, but he wasn’t comfortable sharing his personal life with co-workers. Years of schooling and training had taught him to be cautious, and with good reason. The most vicious gossips were often people who knew a little about you and assumed (or created) the rest so they could pass on juicy details. He believed Crew, Dixy, and Jessica were good people, but it was difficult for him to share so openly—especially when he struggled with doubts about the enormous leap of faith he was about to take.
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Moving day, Sunday March 9th
Zak started his day at the usual time, working out in the basement. He wouldn’t be taking the exercise equipment with him today—not until he and Orrin figured out the best place for it. He’d also leave a set of bed linens, a few towels, and most of the kitchenware for Cora to use. She’d been living with her employer’s family for years, and no longer owned household goods. Zak would take the food, clothes, toiletries, and boxes of personal belongings that he’d originally brought with him.
While he would have preferred warmer temperatures, Zak was thankful for clear skies as he loaded the pickup. Two left turns brought him to the Cub House, and he parked in his usual spot near the garage. Orrin had already given him a key, and he began to transfer his belongings without drawing undue attention. Tasha knew what was happening today, though the children didn’t, including Kip and Rayn. First came the perishable food, and Zak was surprised to find a sealed greeting card lying on the kitchen counter. Inside was a message in Orrin’s neat handwriting.
You’re probably a little nervous, and I don’t blame you. Just remember how much you are loved, and that we look forward to being with you every day. Welcome home, Zak!
Hugs and kisses,
Orrin
Heart thumping, Zak took the card upstairs for safekeeping, wiping tears away as he realized Orrin was taking a leap of faith along with him. They were together in this new adventure, but he’d been so busy nursing his own worries that he’d neglected to consider how they affected the sweet, patient man. Both shame, and a resolve to change his tune, swept away the selfish musings that had made him doubt in the first place. He wasn’t simplychanging residences, he was making acommitmentto three people who cared for him deeply, and he wouldn’t disappoint them.
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Knowing he wouldn’t have time later, Zak got all his belongings stowed, clothes hung up, and toiletries put away. The kitchen cupboards and refrigerator were stuffed full, but it wouldn’t take long to empty them again with four in the house. A glance at the clock told him he had just enough time to get their home entertainment center set up, and he started opening boxes. Amid a few mild curses and a multitude of wires, he figured out how to hook up the TV, DVD player, stereo, and speakers. Part of his motivation to complete the job came from a purchase he’d made for Kip and Rayn—several seasons of one of their favorite TV shows.
Though he’d never asked, it got Zak to wondering if Orrin enjoyed movies or music. Some shifters weren’t interested in those things, preferring time spent outdoors, napping, or reading during their down time. Zak was a fair dancer and hoped he could coax Orrin into some romantic swaying after the kids went to bed. He’d enjoy any opportunity to hold the man close, breath in his delectable scent, and kiss his hot mouth—with or without music.
As he cleaned up the cardboard and packing material mess, Zak’s stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten lunch. Opening the fridge presented him with an overwhelming number of choices, and he grabbed a container of leftover pasta and ate quickly—eager to get next door and see his loved ones. They had probably finished their meal by now, though the house was nearly empty on Sundays with all the kids (except Kip and Rayn) visiting their adoptive families.
