A Heart to Bear (Bear Creek Forever #4)

Chapter Ten – Dougray

“So, how are you finding life here in Bear Creek?” Mary asked as they finished lunch.

Over dinner, the main topic of conversation was how the Thornberg Ranch was tackling soil regeneration in the mountainous terrain. A topic Tammy seemed to find interesting.

Not to mention a relief, Dougray’s bear said with a chuckle.

True, I expect Tammy expected lunch to be awkward, Dougray replied. But thankfully his parents had kept the conversation neutral. Which probably took some effort since his mom must be bursting with questions she’d like to ask Tammy.

There’s still time, his bear said as Tammy placed her knife and fork down on her empty plate.

Dougray sure did like a woman with a good appetite.

His bear chortled. We would love Tammy even if she has the appetite of a tiny bird.

“It’s...different,” Tammy replied, choosing her words carefully. She glanced out the cabin window, taking in the sweeping vista of pine-covered slopes and distant peaks. “Beautiful, but so quiet compared to the city. Whenever I have visited before, it’s always taken me a couple of nights to get used to the silence.”

“And the animals are a whole lot bigger!” Uncle Gavin laughed.

“Which reminds me, we should get going. Old Ma Hinchcliffe is expecting us.” Tammy stood up and started clearing the table.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll do that,” Mary said. “You two get going.”

Tammy hesitated for a moment as she placed her plate in the sink. “Are you sure? Since you cooked, I’d like to wash the dishes. It’s the least I can do.”

“I can help with the dishes.” Uncle Gavin stood up, resting his weight on his good leg.

“You aren’t coming with us?” Tammy asked.

“No, I thought I’d stay here and catch up some more with Mary and Waylan. Then I’ll go check on Lucy.” He smiled, but Dougray could see the tension in his face, the lines around his eyes deepening.

“Okay.” Tammy’s voice held a note of concern, but then she turned to Dougray. “Are you ready?”

We were born ready, his bear said, unable to contain his excitement at the idea of them spending time alone with their mate.

“Sure thing,” Dougray replied casually, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet. But inside he was as excited as his bear.

Dougray and Tammy stepped out onto the porch, the crisp mountain air filling their lungs. The sun was high in the sky, and in the distance, an eagle soared over the meadow. It was all so familiar and yet so different with Tammy by his side.

There was no way to explain it.

Except that, he felt complete in a way he never had before.

He was mesmerized as Tammy sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly, a smile curving her lips. He could stand here and stare at her all day.

“Do you ever get used to it?” Tammy asked.

“Used to what?” Dougray asked.

Having a mate? his bear interjected.

“This view. The smell of the mountain air, so fresh, so… I don’t know, it’s like it clears your mind,” Tammy finished, her eyes still taking in the panoramic vista before them.

Dougray nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it,” he admitted softly. “Every day, it’s like seeing it for the first time. But then no two days are ever the same. The seasons, the weather, it’s always different, always evolving.”

They stood in companionable silence for a moment, shoulders nearly touching. Dougray could feel the warmth radiating from Tammy, and his bear rumbled contentedly inside him.

“Well,” Tammy said finally, breaking the spell. “We should probably get going. We don’t want to keep Old Ma Hinchcliffe waiting.”

Dougray nodded, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from Tammy. “You’re right. She has never been tolerant of tardy behavior.”

They made their way down the porch steps, heading for Gavin’s truck, which carried all the medical supplies they might need.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Dougray said, reaching for the driver’s door. His fingers brushed against Tammy’s as she reached for the handle at the same time, sending a jolt of electricity through him.

“I can manage the door,” she told him, but a smile hovered over her lips.

“I am in no doubt.” Even so, he pulled the door open for her. In way of explanation, he added, “It’s the way I was raised.”

“In that case, thank you.” She nodded, got into the truck, and started the engine, while he went around to the other side and climbed in.

They drove away from the house in companionable silence. Not that Dougray had anything to say to break the silence if it had been awkward. The nearness of his mate in such a confined space seemed to have turned him to Jello.

We are just basking in her radiance, his bear told him with a contented sigh.

I don’t think our relationship is going to grow if all we do is bask, Dougray told him.

Tammy cleared her throat, finally breaking the silence. “I can’t wait to see the results of the regenerative agriculture you have planned for the ranch,” she began, her eyes flicking briefly to Dougray before returning to the road.

Dougray shifted in his seat, grateful for the neutral topic. “My mom has read extensively about it. She’s the real driving force behind what we are trying to achieve. I have to admit I was surprised at how willing my dad was to go along with it. He’s been working the ranch the same way as my forefathers have for generations.”

“It’s good that he’s open to change. It must be tough leaving behind traditions and making changes.” Tammy checked the directions on the GPS.

“My dad has never been one to stick to tradition for tradition’s sake,” Dougray replied. “His always been open-minded about the ranch and how to improve it. If there’s one thing he’s taught us, it’s not to get bogged down in the past.”

Tammy let out a short laugh. “He is right there. But sometimes it’s hard to let go.”

She is not talking about family traditions, his bear said.

No, she is not, Dougray replied.

“It isn’t easy,” Dougray agreed. “But you have to take it one step at a time.”

“Yeah.” Tammy cast him a small smile as they approached the gate leading from the ranch to the road and slowed the truck to a stop. Without a word, Dougray nimbly jumped out to open it.

As he swung the gate wide open, he gave a theatrical bow, wishing he could take away all Tammy’s pain.

He was rewarded with a playful roll of her eyes, and Dougray closed the gate behind them before hopping back into the passenger seat.

As they continued down the winding mountain road, the landscape opened up before them. Rolling hills dotted with grazing cattle came into view, the animals mere specks against the vast expanse of green.

“Old Ma’s place isn’t far now,” Dougray said as if Tammy’s GPS hadn’t already told her they would soon reach their destination.

Tammy nodded. “Any tips?”

“Tips?” Dougray arched an eyebrow.

“From what I’ve gathered from my uncle, Old Ma Hinchcliffe has some quirks.” Tammy turned off the road and headed along a stony path, the truck dipping from side to side as it coped with some rather large potholes.

“She does have some quirks. Not least of all her affection for that bull we have come to check over,” Dougray replied. “So don’t insult him.”

“I never insult animals,” Tammy replied quickly.

“I know, I’m sorry. What I should have said is don’t criticize his behavior. She thinks of that bull as her kid.”

“Ah, I get it. It would be like criticizing someone’s parenting skills,” Tammy said with a nod.

“You’ve got it.” Dougray cracked a grin. “As for the rest of it… Well, you never know what you are going to get with Old Ma Hinchcliffe.”

“Helpful,” Tammy told him as she slowed the truck to stop next to an old wagon that looked like something from a couple of centuries ago. “That is something else.”

“It’s a hobby of Old Ma Hinchcliffe’s.” Dougray opened the truck door and got out. “She restores them. Just like her father did and his father before him.”

“People are full of surprises.” Tammy slipped out of the truck and rolled her shoulders before she closed the door.

Dougray sauntered around the truck to join her, while he pushed out his shifter senses, trying to determine where Old Ma Hinchcliffe was on the property.

She’s in the orchard with Hercules, his bear said.

“This way.” He placed his hand on Tammy’s elbow and led her toward a well-worn path that wound through a cluster of gnarled apple trees. The sweet scent of ripe fruit hung heavy in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of fresh soil and sun-warmed grass.

As they walked, Dougray’s hand lingered on Tammy’s elbow, the warmth of her skin seeping through the thin fabric of her shirt. He reluctantly let his hand drop as they rounded a bend in the path, coming upon a small clearing where an elderly woman stood, her weathered hands resting on the fence post as she gazed at a massive bull grazing in the field beyond.

“Well, if it isn’t young Dougray,” the woman called out, her voice carrying a hint of gravel. She turned to face them, her eyes sharp beneath a wide-brimmed hat. “And you must be Tammy. Gavin’s told me all about you.”

Tammy stepped forward, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”

“Call me Old Ma. Ma’am makes me feel ancient,” she said with a wink as she went to the gate and entered the orchard. “Now, come on over here and take a look at my boy.”

Tammy and Dougray approached the fence, where the massive bull stood placidly chewing his cud. His coat was a rich mahogany color, gleaming in the afternoon sun.

“This is Hercules,” Old Ma Hinchcliffe said proudly as she patted him. She looked so small and frail next to the large bull. “Finest bull in the county, if you ask me. Your uncle said you were coming to check him over. I don’t know what came over him the other day. Most out of character.”

She rubbed the bull’s head, scratching him behind the ears like he was a dog. The bull turned and rubbed his head against Old Ma’s shoulder, nuzzling her affectionately. Tammy watched in amazement at the gentle interaction between the massive animal and the elderly woman.

“He certainly seems calm now,” Tammy noted, her professional attitude taking over. “Can you tell me more about what happened the other day?”

Old Ma Hinchcliffe sighed, her weathered hand still stroking Hercules’ broad forehead. “It was the strangest thing. He’s usually such a gentle giant, but that day, he just went berserk. Started charging at the fence, bellowing like I’d never heard before. Nearly took out a section of the fence before he calmed down. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years. Like someone flicked a switch.”

Tammy nodded thoughtfully, her eyes scanning the bull for any obvious signs of distress or injury. “And has he shown any other unusual behaviors since then? Changes in appetite, lethargy, anything like that?”

Old Ma Hinchcliffe shook her head. “No, nothing. He’s been his usual self ever since. Eating well, calm as can be. It’s like it never happened.”

Dougray watched as Tammy’s brow furrowed in concentration. He could almost see the gears turning in her mind as she processed the information.

“Would it be all right if I examined him more closely?” Tammy asked, her voice professional but gentle.

Old Ma Hinchcliffe nodded, patting Hercules one last time before stepping back. “Of course, dear. He’s as gentle as a lamb now, but you be careful all the same. He doesn’t know you the way he knows your uncle.”

Tammy smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure we’re going to be friends, aren’t we, Hercules?”

Tammy approached the bull cautiously, her movements slow and deliberate. Hercules lifted his massive head, dark eyes focusing on her with mild curiosity. She whispered to him, her voice a soothing murmur as she reached out a hand.

“That’s it, big guy. I’m just here to help,” she cooed.

Dougray watched her, his admiration for his mate increasing as Tammy made friends with the massive bull.

His bear rumbled approvingly. She sure does have a way with animals.

She does, Dougray replied. But there’s nothing obviously wrong with Hercules. And if his behavior has been normal since that day, what could have caused his sudden destructive outburst?

Let’s hope Tammy can figure it out, his bear replied.

Hercules snorted softly, his nostrils flaring as he caught Tammy’s scent. Then he huffed and his large tongue lolled out, giving Tammy’s outstretched hand a gentle lick.

Tammy gently stroked Hercules’ broad nose. “Well, aren’t you just a big sweetheart?” She turned to Old Ma, a grin on her face. “He seems very well-mannered. Is it okay if I examine him more closely?”

“Of course. That is what you are here for, isn’t it?” Old Ma Hinchcliffe replied as she rubbed the large animal’s neck. “You do what you have to do. I just want to make sure the big fella is okay.”

“That’s my aim,” Tammy assured her.

As Dougray watched the scene before him, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in his gut. His bear was restless, too, pacing just beneath the surface of his skin.

But it wasn’t Hercules, or Old Ma Hinchcliffe that was giving him concern. It was something else.

There’s something out there, his bear agreed.

There is, Dougray agreed.

And that something might explain Hercules’ sudden change in behavior. Which meant Tammy might now be in danger, too.