Page 31 of Bear Creek Father's Day
Zak stepped over the threshold and into the house, only to have Kip and Rayn zip out from behind the door, barreling into his legs with shouts and enthusiastic waves. He acted surprised, of course, and kneeled down to give them hugs and kisses.
“Well, aren’t you two sneaky! What did you do today?”
Talking over one another, they told him all sorts of things—some of which he actually understood. Orrin waited nearby with a wide smile on his face, and the domestic scene gave Zak a glimpse of what his future might hold. Compared to his single life, it looked damn good to come home to two sweet kids and a wonderful man. Zak stood, rustling Kip and Rayn’s hair before pulling Orrin close for a kiss. Rayn clapped as they smooched, while Kip began to pat Zak’s leg.
“Go wif you?”
Orrin answered before things got awkward.
“Not today, Kip. I’m going with Zak while you and Rayn have supper here with the others.”
He looked so disappointed that Zak suggested a consolation prize.
“How about if we do something fun together on Sunday? Would that be all right?”
The kids thought it was a great idea, and while Orrin looked surprised, he nodded in agreement. Kip and Rayn each got another kiss before they were taken back to the Cub House for supper. Zak didn’t have to wait long, and on their way to the truck, asked Orrin a question.
“Whose car is that? Do you have a visitor?”
Orrin shook his head.
“It was donated to the Cub House for Tasha and I to use on our days off. They wouldn’t tell me who did it, but everything is paid for, and we’re both very grateful.”
Zak gave it the once-over as they neared the truck.
“Wow. I’m kind of jealous that somebody else is spoiling my man, though you deserve it.”
Orrin was delighted by the sentiment, and paused to give Zak another smooch before getting in the truck.
“No need to be jealous. Gifts are nice, but all I want isyou.”
Afraid that he’d said too much already, Zak kept quiet until they reached the house.
Chapter 15
Thursday evening, Zak’s home
Orrin enjoyed preparing a meal with Zak, including all the smooches as they moved around the kitchen. The simple beef stir-fry wasn’t something Orrin prepared at home because the cubs wouldn’t know what to do with it. If the dish didn’t look and smell familiar, they were hesitant to try it, and he couldn’t risk wasting money on food they wouldn’t eat. Adult tastes were more nuanced, and he enjoyed learning things from Zak’s ingredient choices and cooking style.
Like he did on their first date, Zak ate at Orrin’s pace, enabling them to converse during the latter part of the meal. He wondered if Rayn was now learning the same thing and asked Orrin about it when his belly was mostly full.
“We’re working on it, and she’s doing better. It’s difficult for her to comprehend ursine instincts, especially when it looks and sounds like rude table manners! At the same time, I’m teaching the cubs not to tease her, and to recognize that humans do some things differently—notwrong, just different. I think it’s important that they learn how to live among all kinds of people.”
Zak appreciated Orrin’s way of thinking.
“The cubs you nurture will have an advantage in this world with that kind of attitude. When they grow up, I hope they learn to recognize the value of what you’re teaching them.”
Orrin blushed. Most people never looked beyond the surface, and fewer still would think to pay him a compliment. For many, including shifters who should know better, Orrin was a glorified babysitter and the cubs he cared for would magically turn out allright. The BSA was doing good work, but deep-seated problems weren’t wiped away by providing food and shelter alone.
“My parents were very broad minded and helped me see what the real world was like. I’ve had some disappointing failures along the way—usually cubs who had endured abuse or too much time alone. The BSA has special facilities for them, but there isn’t much that can be done if they’re too far gone. That’s why the policies are geared towards search and rescue at the earliest possible moment. Our teams cover every inch of the state, and some still slip through the cracks.”
Zak could smell Orrin’s distress and pulled him onto his lap. They stayed that way until Orrin took a deep cleansing breath and let the angst go with it. He turned to straddle Zak’s lap, cocks pressed together while Orrin tenderly kissed his lips, face, and neck. Zak waited patiently, allowing the upset man to do what he wanted as he processed difficult memories and thoughts. After a while, Orrin smiled.
“Thank you. It’s hard to talk about stuff like that, and you made me feel heard. It means a lot.”
Zak’s muscular arms wrapped themselves around Orrin’s body; hands caressing his back and fingers carding gently through his hair. That prompted a question.
“Have you always worn it long like this?”
