Page 37 of Bear Creek Father's Day
“We’re complete strangers to Scout and Birdy, and I’m human! What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t want us to adopt them? What if…”
Knox growled, shutting down Levi’s laundry list of doubts.
“Orrin wouldn’t have said anything if he didn’t think we’d be a good match. Besides, we’re just having lunch, and if they don’t want to spend more time with us, then we try again later with other cubs. And who sayswewon’t be the ones who are uncomfortable withthem?”
Levi had to admit his thinking was off kilter. After all, if he could face a classroom full of angsty, hormone-filled teenagers every day, meeting a couple of six-year-olds should be a breeze.
“You’re right. Maybe I’m thinking too far ahead. This has to be hard on them; I mean how do you choose your future parents, especially when you don’t know anything about them? It’s a good thing Orrin knows what he’s doing.”
Knox rumbled in agreement as he parked Levi’s bright yellow jeep on the street and leaned over to kiss his cheek. At Orrin’srequest, they hadn’t brought any gifts for Scout and Birdy. The littermates were already going to be the center of attention today, and presents might cause hurt feelings among the others. Their knock on the front door was quickly answered, and Tasha ushered them inside.
“Come in! Let me take your coats, and Orrin can introduce you to our recent arrivals.”
Orrin and the children were huddled together close by, but out of the way. Knox and Levi dropped to one knee so they could be scented—first by Kip, Griffin, and Fort whom they already knew, followed by Rayn, Zuzu, and finally, the sibling pair they’d come to meet.
“Scout. Birdy. Say hello to Knox and Levi McCoy.”
They knew why the human/shifter couple had come for lunch, and it wasn’t for the food. Curiosity prevailed, with just a smidgen of hope that these people might be the ‘forever family’ Orrin often talked about. Scout scented both of them first before stepping aside to let Birdy do the same. Knox scented them in return, while Levi gave the pair brief hugs. Birdy looked at her brother for approval, and then extended an invitation.
“Will you sit with us for lunch?”
The men agreed, with Scout holding Knox’s hand and Birdy leading Levi to the dining room. The cubs sat next to each other, flanked on either side by their visitors. Levi chatted with Rayn while the rest filled their shifter bellies, though he noticed that Birdy and Scout were listening intently to the conversation. Once stomachs were half full, conversations began all around the table and the McCoys told the siblings about their home north of town.
By the time dessert was finished, Scout and Birdy were eager to spend the afternoon with their guests. Knox’s offer to take them for a romp through their wooded territory was simply too much to resist, and Levi promised to show them the new addition and serve snacks later. Orrin had quietly observed the littermates’ interaction with the couple, and in the absence of any red flags, felt comfortable with the afternoon outing. He spoke privately with Levi while Knox helped the little ones with their coats and boots.
“I can tell you’re nervous, so try to relax and be yourself. Even though you’re not a shifter, the cubs need to know you can love and care for them. That’s all they want, just like every other child, and I don’t detect any hesitation from either of them. You shouldn’t have any trouble, but if you’re firm and kind, they’ll respect you. By the way, if you want to have supper together, send me a quick text. The bedtime routine starts around seven-thirty, so try to have them back home by then.”
Orrin’s encouragement made Levi feel better, and he decided to use his professional skills to put the cubs at ease. If they were going to be a family one day, they needed to build some trust in one another, and having fun together was a good way to do it. Knox didn’t seem to be having any problems with the little ones, as though he’d been born for the role. Shifter children naturally deferred to shifter adults, even if they were strangers, but he knew Knox would never allow the cubs to disrespect him—crucial if he was to be a parent on equal footing.
At the door, Orrin joined them wearing his coat and holding two booster seats—something neither Knox nor Levi had considered.
“I’ll show you how to hook them up, and you’ll be on your way.”
The remaining little ones and Tasha all waved goodbye and then reported to the dining room and kitchen for cleanup duty. Meanwhile, Orrin got the booster seats installed and gave the siblings a final admonition.
“I expect you to be on your best behavior and to follow the instructions you’re given. I’m sure you’ll have fun, but if you want to come home, just tell Knox or Levi, and they’ll bring you right back. I’ll see you later!”
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Shortly after…
At the cabin, Levi waited until Knox, Scout, and Birdy had shifted before they took off for a winter ramble through the woods, poking noses intoeverything. Levi enjoyed hikes like this with his mate, but having two insatiably curious cubs along changed the pace significantly. If the little ones tarried too long, Knox got them moving again with a huff and a growl, and they found something else to investigate. Frozen creeks, scat, animal tracks, and Knox’s summer den were some of the highlights as they made a wide circle that eventually led back to the house.
Inside, Knox waited while Levi toweled off the little ones before they shifted and dressed. Once the ursine explorers were taken care of, Knox showed the kids how to get a fire going in the living room fireplace, and Levi whipped up some hot cider and a snack. When rumbly tummies were satisfied and they were all warm again, Levi gathered everyone together on the couch and pulled up a video on his phone.
“Who wants to see Knox, the dancing bear?”
The cubs had no idea what he was talking about, but they parked themselves on the adults’ laps to watch a recording of one of theChristmas shows. Wide-eyed, the siblings began laughing as the bears did their thing. Scout asked a question.
“Which one is Knox?”
Levi pointed at the small screen.
“The one in the middle with the red apron. He’s the best!”
Amid warm snuggling, giggles, and a plethora of questions, Scout and Birdy discovered more about the big shifter and the blond human man who were interested in caring for them. The video prompted Birdy to ask why Levi wasn’t dancing with Knox, which led to an explanation of what a music teacher did, and that he worked at the big kids’ school. Knox then told them about his various jobs making furniture, fixing things, and harvesting food from the forest.
When it came to family connections, they learned that Levi’s ‘litter’ included two sisters and a brother who lived far away in a place called Ohio. Levi pulled up some recent photos on his phone, pointing out the aforementioned siblings, plus parents, grandparents, a brother-in-law, and a boyfriend. When it was Knox’s turn, he explained that he didn’t know where his sow or littermates were, and hadn’t seen them for a long time. Scout and Birdy certainly understood how lonely it could be, and snuggled closer to comfort him.
