A Heart to Bear (Bear Creek Forever #4)

Chapter Seven – Tammy

Tammy cracked her eyes open and for a moment lay there, waiting for the familiar pain of Peter’s betrayal and the embarrassment of canceling her wedding so close to the date to crowd in on her.

She sucked in a breath, expecting the familiar tightness in her chest. A tightness that left her feeling claustrophobic, as if the entire world was pressing in on her.

Instead, there was a lightness in her chest. And an image of Dougray in her head.

Mates.

The word echoed in her head.

Turning over, she plumped the pillow and stared out of the window at the mountains beyond.

The pain of being dumped so close to her wedding day had become a constant companion, but now...

It was as if the world was filled with possibilities once more. As if she had a future.

But did she really want to jump from one relationship right into another?

“That is not something you have to decide here and now,” Tammy muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her bare feet touched the cool wooden floor, grounding her in the present moment.

Where she belonged.

She was tired of going over memories of the past and thoughts of her future. It was time to live in the present, to take each day as it came.

As she crossed the room, the aroma of coffee wafted up the stairs, and she could hear Uncle Gavin humming tunelessly in the kitchen below. Tammy padded to the dresser, catching sight of herself in the mirror. Her curvy figure was swathed in an oversized t-shirt, her hair a tangled mess.

“Three days,” she whispered to her reflection, a lump forming in her throat as she recalled an image of herself in the beautiful wedding dress she had picked out. A dress she would never get to wear. “In three days, I should’ve been walking down the aisle.”

The familiar wave of grief crashed over her, threatening to pull her under. Tammy gripped the edge of the dresser and took a deep breath.

“Live in the present.” She let out a long breath and squared her shoulders.

What was the saying? There’s no point in crying over spilled milk.

It was true. That future, the future she had dreamed of, had planned for, was gone. It was not coming back.

“Coffee’s hot.” Uncle Gavin’s voice carried up the stairs, tinged with concern.

Tammy cleared her throat. “Thanks, Uncle Gavin. Be down in a minute.”

She quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and ran a brush through her tangled hair, all the while grappling with the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind. Was she truly ready to try again with Dougray? The idea of fated mates was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.

“The present,” she reminded herself as she descended the stairs. The scent of bacon joined the coffee, making her stomach growl despite her emotional turmoil. Uncle Gavin stood at the stove, his salt-and-pepper hair sticking up at odd angles, reminding her of a disheveled Santa Claus.

“Morning,” he said, flashing her a bright smile. “Sleep, okay?”

Tammy nodded, settling into a chair at the kitchen table. “As well as can be expected, I guess.”

Uncle Gavin’s brow furrowed as he slid a mug of steaming coffee in front of her. “Want to talk about it?”

She wrapped her hands around the warm mug, staring into its depths as if seeking answers. “I don’t know where to begin.”

“Because of Dougray?” he asked, flipping the bacon with practiced ease.

Tammy’s head snapped up. “You know about that?”

Uncle Gavin chuckled. “I might have injured my ankle, but I’m not blind. I saw the way he looked at you yesterday. And the way you looked at him.”

She sighed, taking a sip of coffee. “I just... I don’t know if I’m ready. My heart still feels so raw, you know? And now there’s this whole...mate thing.”

“Ah, the shifter bond,” Uncle Gavin nodded sagely. “I didn’t want to ask, but I saw the connection between you when you touched. Saw the spark in your eyes.”

“And last night…” Tammy needed someone to talk to, someone who was on her side and who would understand. And that had always been Uncle Gavin. “He was here.”

“Dougray?” Uncle Gavin had been in bed when she got home from her nighttime rendezvous with her shifter.

“Yes, he was in the forest.” Her jaw tensed, but there was no holding back. “I met his bear. And then Dougray told me we were mates.”

“You don’t look so happy about it, if you don’t mind me saying.” Uncle Gavin set a plate of food down in front of her and then sat down across the table.

“I’ve hardly had a chance to process what happened with Peter,” she began. “In three days’ time, I was supposed to be walking down the aisle with him. It was supposed to be the start of a new life. I can’t imagine what people will say if I start dating another man so soon.”

“Does it matter?” Uncle Gavin asked bluntly.

“It shouldn’t,” she said, meeting his wise old eyes.

“But it does.”

She nodded. “Although, since I am already the center of the gossip mill right now, I might as well add fuel to that fire.”

“Hey.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “The mating bond is a powerful thing, Tammy. But it doesn’t erase your past or your pain.”

“So what do I do?” she asked, hating how small and vulnerable her voice sounded.

Uncle Gavin leaned forward, his kind eyes filled with understanding. “You take it one day at a time. Allow yourself to feel whatever you’re feeling. There’s no rush, no matter what anyone says about fated mates.”

Tammy brushed her hand across her eyes, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall. “But what if I’m not capable of moving on? What if I’m too broken?”

“Oh, Tammy,” Uncle Gavin wrapped an arm around her. “You’re stronger than you know. And sometimes, the most beautiful things are born from brokenness.”

“I guess you are right,” Tammy replied.

“My advice?” Uncle Gavin said.

“Aren’t you going to give it whatever I say?” she replied lightly.

“You know me so well.” Uncle Gavin cracked a wide smile, but then it was replaced by a seriousness he seldom showed, unless he was about to give distressing news to the owner of one of his patients.

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” she replied.

Uncle Gavin took a deep breath, his eyes softening as he gazed at his niece. “My advice is to give yourself permission to heal, Tammy. Don’t rush into anything, but don’t close yourself off either. Dougray is a good man. His family are good, honest, and loyal.”

“And easy on the eyes,” she said lightly, although his looks were probably the least important character trait.

“So I’ve heard the ladies say,” Uncle Gavin replied.

“The ladies?” Tammy arched a questioning eyebrow at him.

“Oh, don’t go getting any ideas,” Uncle Gavin told her with a wave of his hand. “Women might choose him, but from what I know, he hasn’t dated in some time. I guess there gets to a point where it seems fruitless when you know the person you are taking on a date is not the right one for you.”

“That makes for a lonely life.” She watched her uncle over the rim of her coffee cup. He wasn’t a shifter, but he lived like one, keeping to himself. She could not remember the last time her mom had told her Uncle Gavin was going on a date.

And yes, for her mom, who wanted nothing more than to see her brother married and settled, even the mere hint that Gavin was going on a date was news that would be broadcast far and wide.

“But that’s all changed,” Uncle Gavin said, casting a knowing look her way. “For both of you.”

Tammy set her coffee mug down, tracing the rim with her finger as she mulled over his advice.

“I know you’re right,” she said quietly. “It’s just...scary, you know? Opening myself up again. Especially so soon after...”

Uncle Gavin nodded sympathetically. “I know. But this is different. Dougray is different.”

“He sure is.” She closed her eyes briefly and conjured up the image of the bear she’d met in the forest last night. He was the most incredible creature she had ever seen.

“Okay, if we’re done with your love life,” Uncle Gavin said with a chuckle. “We need to eat and then get ready for the day.”

Tammy smiled weakly and picked up her knife and fork. “I was talking to Dougray about the bull.”

“The bull…” Uncle Gavin’s eyes widened. “Oh, you mean Old Ma Hinchcliffe’s bull?”

“The one and the same,” Tammy nodded, taking a bite of her bacon. “I thought I might go over there today and take a look.”

Uncle Gavin stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Take a look?”

“You said he was acting out of character and Dougray confirmed it. So I was thinking of heading over there and checking him over.” Tammy forked up her eggs and took a bite. “You make the best scrambled eggs.”

“Don’t tell your mother that,” Uncle Gavin said with a chuckle.

“I won’t,” Tammy replied as she savored the flavor of her breakfast. “So, the bull?”

Uncle Gavin nodded as he chewed over a mouthful of food. “You might be right. It would be good for someone to take a look at him. Just in case he’s gone a little crazy. You never know, and I would hate anything to happen to Old Ma Hinchcliffe when it could be prevented.”

“That’s what I was thinking. I could take some bloods and check there are no psychological changes.”

“We could fit it in after this morning’s appointments,” Uncle Gavin said.

“Dougray offered to go with me,” Tammy said, as she focused on her nearly eaten plate of eggs and bacon.

“Oh, did he now.” Uncle Gavin chuckled.

“You could come, too,” Tammy offered.

“I don’t think so,” Uncle Gavin said with a knowing smile. “I’ve got plenty to keep me busy here at the clinic. Besides, I think you and Dougray could use some time together.”

Tammy felt her cheeks warm. “It’s not like that,” she insisted, even though if she were being honest, she’d like to spend time with Dougray. Alone.

“Sure it’s not,” Uncle Gavin said with a wink. “Just be careful around that bull. There’s nothing more dangerous than an unpredictable animal.”

Tammy nodded, picking up her coffee cup. “I’ll be careful.”

“And Dougray will be there, too,” Uncle Gavin said, as if reassuring himself.

“I can handle myself,” Tammy retorted.

“Oh, I know, but he’s been around cattle all his life…” Uncle Gavin shrugged. “It just makes me feel better…less useless, knowing that he’ll be there with you.”

“You are not useless,” Tammy assured him.

“No, but I am getting old. Perhaps too old for a clinic this size,” he replied.

“Don’t say that.” Tammy reached across the table to squeeze her uncle’s hand. “This clinic needs you. The whole town needs you.”

Uncle Gavin smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Maybe. But I’m not as spry as I used to be. And with this bum ankle...” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“But you have so much knowledge of the people here, of their animals,” Tammy said firmly. “That is invaluable.”

“That’s kind of you to say, Tammy.” Uncle Gavin’s eyes crinkled with a warm smile. “But perhaps it’s time I started thinking about the future of this place. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide to stick around and take over someday.”

Tammy had always believed her future lay in a small animal clinic.

But now…

“Shall we get started?” Tammy asked, not ready to make any kind of commitment right now.

But as she cleared the table, the idea of a life here in Bear Creek, of running the clinic alongside her uncle, and sharing her life with Dougray, seemed like a tantalizing possibility.

One that would bring her more happiness and fulfillment than her promised life with Peter ever could.

Even though it was not a path she would have chosen to walk, maybe fate had led her right here.