A Heart to Bear (Bear Creek Forever #4)

Chapter Eight – Dougray

“A watched kettle never boils,” Waylan told his son as he swung his hammer at a nail, securing a rail that formed part of a fence that had been pushed down by a herd of cattle overnight. Thankfully, the cattle had only gotten as far as the next meadow, so no harm done. “And a watched phone never rings.”

“Wise words, Dad.” Dougray chuckled and shoved his phone back in his back pocket as he lifted the next rail and held it in place.

“She’ll call,” Waylan assured him.

“I hope you are right,” Dougray sighed, his eyes drifting toward the distant mountains, cast in a myriad shades of greens and grays, a sight that usually brought him comfort. Today, however, his mind was elsewhere.

Their mate.

Dad is right, she’ll call, his bear said, although his words carried the same impatience that Dougray felt in his human form. He took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp mountain air and the scent of fresh-cut wood. The repetitive motion of hammering nails and lifting rails helped calm his nerves, but his thoughts kept drifting back to her .

“You know,” Waylan began, pausing to wipe his brow with the back of his hand, leaving a smudge of dirt across his weathered skin, “your mother once kept me waiting for three days before she called me back. Three whole days. I thought I was going to lose my mind.”

Dougray raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? Mom made you wait that long? What happened?”

Waylan chuckled, a fond gleam in his eye as he recalled the memory. “Oh, she had her reasons. Turns out she was helping her grandmother move to a new cabin up in the hills. No cell service back then, of course, and the cabin had no phone line. When she finally called, I was so relieved I could barely speak.”

Dougray smiled, imagining his mother as a young woman, fiercely independent and kind-hearted. A trait each of her sons had inherited. “Did you ever worry you and Mom wouldn’t make it?”

Waylan straightened up and reached for a canteen of water, taking a long swig from the canteen before passing it to Dougray. “Worry? Son, I was terrified. Your mother was—is—the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I knew from the moment I saw her that she was my mate, but I also knew that she was her own person, with her own dreams and ambitions. I worried maybe she wouldn’t want the life I could offer her here on the ranch.”

Dougray nodded thoughtfully, taking a drink from the canteen. “I couldn’t picture her being anywhere else.”

“Me neither.” Waylan scanned the horizon. “But when she saw this place… Well, there were times early on when I wondered if it was the ranch she fell in love with first, or me.”

“I never would have figured you’d had any insecurities,” Dougray said. “You and Mom are so perfect for each other.”

“We are. But it didn’t start out that way,” Waylan replied. “The mating bond isn’t some magic bullet. It still takes work and commitment to build a solid relationship.”

“Like this fence,” Dougray lifted another rail into place.

Waylan chuckled and picked up the hammer. “I have always found hard physical work to be a good way to clear the mind,” Waylan said, driving another nail into the fence post with practiced precision. “And to put things into perspective.”

“We should have this section finished by lunch.” Dougray’s eyes drifted to the cattle now grazing peacefully on the right side of the fence. “What do you think spooked them?”

Waylan shook his head. “I have no idea. I mean, it could be some young cubs spooked them. I remember when you and your brothers were young. There were times I’d come out in the morning and find the herd scattered. But they soon got used to you all.”

“So, you’re thinking there’s someone new around who spooked them by accident?” Dougray asked.

“That is the most plausible answer.” Waylan nodded at Dougray. “Same as the most plausible reason your mate hasn’t called is because she is busy.”

“I know,” Dougray replied. “She has better things to do than call me when she is helping Gavin out while he’s injured.”

“There, a little hard work and perspective make things look a whole lot better,” Waylan said as he hammered the next rail into place.

“Is that your way of telling me to work harder?” Dougray asked.

Waylan grinned. “Now, would I ever suggest such a thing?”

Dougray laughed, shaking his head. “No, of course not, Dad. You’d never resort to such subtle tactics.”

“Your mother would agree,” Waylan chuckled. “Subtlety has never been in my nature.”

That is not true, Dougray’s bear said. How often have we seen the subtle movement of his hand, or a small adjustment to his body language, change the direction of a whole herd of horses?

Actions can be more natural and less likely to be misinterpreted than words, Dougray said as he lifted the next rail into place.

Two more rails to go and they would be finished. And still, his mate had not called.

Dougray followed his father’s advice and focused on the job at hand. He had to put trust in fate, and in his mate, that their relationship would come out good.

He’d opened up to Tammy last night. He’d told her how much this relationship meant to him.

And that we will let her go if that is what she wants, Dougray’s bear reminded him.

I had to be honest, Dougray replied.

I know, his bear answered. Even so, doubts crept in.

Doubts that would not be still until she rang, or texted…

Or sent smoke signals, his bear added. Or morse code.

Dougray smiled to himself as he reached for the last rail and held it for his father to nail into place. They made a good team. The years they had worked the ranch together meant there was often no need for explanations. Just a knowing glance or a brief nod was all that was required.

As the final nail was driven into place, Dougray took a step back to admire their handiwork. The fence looked sturdy and dependable, much like the relationship Waylan had with his sons.

“Just in time for lunch,” Waylan said as he began packing up the tools. “Your mother is cooking one of her famous stews. I can already smell it from here.”

Dougray’s stomach rumbled in agreement. “You always know how to motivate a man, Dad.”

He grabbed the toolbox and strode to the truck, but as he lifted it into the bed, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fumbled it out, hands suddenly shaky, and glanced at the screen. Tammy.

His heart did a little dance of hope and so did his bear as he tapped the screen. “Hey,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Hey yourself,” Tammy replied. Her voice was breathy, almost hesitant.

“How’s your day going?” he asked, leaning against the truck’s tailgate and allowing the sun to warm his back. The ranch around him bustled with life—cows lowing in the distance, birds chirping merrily in the trees, and the gentle whisper of a breeze rustling through the grass.

Someone’s sounding a lot chirpier himself. Dougray’s bear snorted.

“It’s been busy,” Tammy said, her voice trailing off. “I get the feeling Uncle Gavin has been struggling even before his accident.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Dougray glanced over at Waylan, who was now standing by the truck, wiping his hands on a rag. His father raised an eyebrow in silent question, and Dougray gave a slight nod.

“Yeah,” Tammy continued. “He tries to hide it… But anyway, that’s not why I called.”

“Did you call Old Ma Hinchcliffe?” Dougray asked.

“Yes, I’m heading over there in an hour. Are you free to come with?” Tammy asked.

Try and stop us, his bear roared in his head.

“I am,” he said, trying to keep his cool.

“Shall I come by and pick you up?” she asked.

“Sure, that would be great,” Dougray said, his heart beating a tad faster. “I’ll be ready.”

“Great, I’ll grab some lunch and then come on over.”

“Why don’t you come here for lunch?” Dougray cast a questioning eyebrow at his father, who nodded. “My mom always makes extra in case any of my brothers drop in for lunch.”

“No,” Tammy said a little abruptly. “Thank you. But I need to get Uncle Gavin home.”

“Okay, no problem,” Dougray said. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

“See you then.”

He hung up and found Waylan watching him with a knowing smile. “Tammy?” his father asked, amusement in his eyes.

Dougray nodded, a grin spreading across his face despite himself. “She’ll be over in an hour,” he said, pocketing his phone.

Waylan clapped Dougray on the shoulder. “Well, don’t just stand there grinning like a fool. Let’s get this truck unloaded and you cleaned up before she gets here.”

“What am I, five?” Dougray rolled his eyes but couldn’t shake the smile that lingered.

“Ah, maybe about eight in my mind. Eight was a wonderful age…” Waylan murmured to himself as he climbed into the truck and started the engine. “It’s a pity Tammy isn’t coming over for lunch. I know your mom is itching to get to know her.”

“Yeah, she said she had to get Gavin home. But I sense she might be nervous about meeting you all.” Dougray climbed in beside his father.

But as he settled into the seat, his phone buzzed. “It’s a text from Tammy,” he said, skimming the message before a smile cracked his face. “She said Uncle Gavin is insisting they take up the invitation to lunch. It seems he’s a big fan of Mom’s cooking.”

“Well, aren’t things looking up.” Waylan sighed happily as he steered the truck back toward the main ranch house.

As they drove back to the house, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbled up inside him. His bear was practically purring with contentment at the prospect of seeing Tammy again.

“You might want to wipe that silly grin off your face before she arrives,” Waylan warned as he parked the truck by the barn and climbed out.

“I think it’s stuck in place,” Dougray told his dad.

“In that case, you go inside and grab a quick shower and change into some fresh clothes while I get this unloaded.” He tapped the back of the truck.

“Are you sure?” Dougray asked, already heading toward the house.

“You go. I can call Klein if I need a hand.” Waylan shooed his son away.

“Thanks, Dad,” Dougray said. “You’re the best.”

“Now you do sound like you are eight years old,” Waylan called after him.

“I’ll always be young at heart,” Dougray countered and headed into the kitchen, wanting to give his mom a quick heads up they were having guests over for lunch.

“Everything okay?” Mary asked as he entered the kitchen like a whirlwind. “Your father?”

“Everything is fine.” He went to her and kissed her on the cheek. “Tammy and Gavin are coming for lunch. If that’s okay?”

Although he’d already texted Tammy back and told her it was. But he knew his mother never turned any guest away from the table.

“More than okay.” She placed her hands on his chest. “But I suggest you have a shower before she gets here. And some fresh clothes.”

“I’m on my way.” He turned on his heel and practically skipped up the stairs to his room. He could hear his mother’s chuckle following him up.

***

Dougray showered quickly, letting the hot water wash away the sweat and grime from the morning’s work. As he dried off, he caught sight of himself in the mirror.

He hardly recognized the man staring back.

His dark hair was still damp, curled slightly at the nape of his neck as it always did. But it was his eyes that looked different. They seemed to crackle with anticipation.

Hurry, she’ll be here soon, his bear said, catching his first sense of her as she drove toward the ranch along the mountain roads.

She’s coming . The words echoed in his head as he left the bathroom and headed for the bedroom.

Dougray quickly pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and a soft flannel shirt, running his fingers through his damp hair in an attempt to tame it. He could hear movement downstairs—his mother bustling about in the kitchen, the low rumble of his father’s voice as he came in from outside. The familiar sounds of home were comforting, but they couldn’t quell the nervous energy thrumming through his veins.

She was coming. His mate. His love. His life.