A Heart to Bear (Bear Creek Forever #4)

Chapter Seventeen – Tammy

“Where are you going?” Dougray’s hand circled her wrist as she slid out of bed, his thumb stroking her pulse point and sending a shiver of desire through her body.

Tammy paused, her bare feet sinking into the plush rug beside the bed. The pre-dawn light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Dougray’s tousled hair and sleep-heavy eyes.

“I’m going to take over for Uncle Gavin,” she murmured, leaning down to brush a kiss against his forehead. “Go back to sleep.”

But Dougray’s grip tightened slightly, his eyes sharpening as he gazed up at her. “I’ll come with you.”

“I’ll be fine on my own,” she promised, leaning down to brush a kiss against his stubbled cheek.

“I won’t be able to sleep if you are not by my side,” Dougray told her as he lifted her hand to his lips. Then he let her go and swung out of bed. He was on his feet and getting dressed in seconds.

“Maybe you could go and put some coffee on while I go and speak to Uncle Gavin,” Tammy suggested as she stifled a yawn. The warm bed was so inviting. She longed to pull Dougray back under the covers and make love to him again.

And again.

She sighed as her eyes drifted to the window. She’d already slept later than the four hours she’d planned on. Now it was time for her uncle to come and get some rest.

“I can make coffee,” Dougray told her. “And some breakfast.”

“I’d like that.” She got up from the bed and padded across the room to the closet. She took out a pair of well-worn jeans and a soft flannel shirt, quickly dressing in the cool morning air. As she pulled on her socks, she caught Dougray watching her, a tender smile playing on his lips.

“What?” she asked, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.

“Nothing,” he replied, his voice husky. “Just admiring the view.”

Tammy rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the heat that he ignited inside her. It still amazed her how Dougray could make her feel so cherished, so desired, with just a look.

“The view from here is pretty good, too,” she replied, keeping her voice light.

“Only pretty good?” he asked in mock offense.

“I’m sure it will improve when you bring me a cup of fresh coffee.” With that, she left the bedroom, stifling a laugh as she made her way downstairs, the old wooden steps creaking beneath her feet.

By the time she reached the bottom, he was behind her, his arms circling her waist as he pulled her into his arms. “Wait until you have tasted my pancakes.”

She turned around in his arms and cupped his face in her hand. “I can’t wait.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his lips. Then with a groan, she pulled away from him and went outside into the chill dawn air.

Hugging herself, missing the warmth of her bed, and the man she’d shared it with last night, Tammy made her way across the yard area to the barn which Gavin had converted into a clinic. As she walked, her mood shifted.

Was the lion all right? Was Uncle Gavin all right?

She should have insisted on taking the first shift. But she’d accepted his offer because now he could sleep away the rest of the night and the morning. Once she had checked on the lion, Tammy planned to reschedule any appointments that were not urgent. Uncle Gavin needed his rest.

Tammy pushed open the heavy barn door, wincing at the loud creak that echoed through the still morning air. The scent of antiseptic mingled with the musky scent of the lion hit her as she stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim interior.

“How is he?” Tammy asked as she made her way over to where her uncle was sitting in a well-worn recliner chair that he’d often slept in while nursing his patients.

Gavin rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. “Better than when we brought him in. The fever’s down, and he seems to be resting more comfortably now.”

Tammy approached the lion, resting on a thick bed of clean straw, and crouched down beside the majestic creature. “He does look better. His breathing is not as ragged.”

“And the wound looks less angry, don’t you think?” Uncle Gavin got up stiffly from his chair and came to join her. “I know it’s too soon to tell for sure, but he seems to be responding to the fluids and the antibiotics.”

“Will he heal faster since he is a shifter?” Tammy half turned to look at her uncle.

“I hope so.” He nodded. “But this is an unknown for me. I have never treated a shifter animal like this.”

Tammy nodded, her eyes drawn back to the lion’s massive form. Even in his weakened state, he exuded power and grace. His golden fur shimmered faintly in the dim light, and his chest rose and fell with steady breaths.

“You should go get some rest,” Tammy said, placing a gentle hand on her uncle’s shoulder. “I can take over from here.”

Gavin hesitated, his eyes still fixed on the lion. “Are you sure? He’s not just any ordinary patient, Tammy...”

“I know, Uncle Gavin,” Tammy reassured him. “I’ll be careful. And Dougray’s in the house if I need any help. You’ve been up all night. Go get some sleep.”

With a reluctant nod, Gavin shuffled toward the door. “All right. But call me if anything changes. Anything at all.”

As the barn door closed behind him, Tammy settled into the recliner, her eyes never leaving the lion. The quiet of the early morning settled around her, broken only by the occasional snuffle from her patient and the distant sounds of the ranch coming to life.

She found herself wondering about the shifter. Who was he? Where had he come from? And what had happened to leave him so grievously injured? The questions swirled in her mind as she watched the steady rise and fall of his chest.

“Knock, knock.”

Tammy started. She must have been dozing when the barn door opened, and Dougray came in carrying a tray filled with coffee and pancakes. Her mouth was watering and her stomach growling by the time he set the tray down on the small table next to the recliner.

“This looks wonderful,” she said.

“So do you.” Dougray leaned down and kissed her cheek before he glanced toward the lion. “Gavin said he is looking better and responding to the meds.”

“He is.” Tammy reached for the steaming mug of coffee, inhaling deeply before taking a sip. The rich, bitter taste was exactly what she needed to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

“That’s good news.” Dougray perched on an upturned wooden crate beside her.

“Thank you for this,” she said, gesturing to the tray. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“We did work up an appetite last night.” He grinned at her over the rim of his coffee cup.

“We did.” Tammy hid her blushes as she reached for a pancake, savoring the warm, buttery sweetness as she took a bite. As she chewed, her gaze drifted back to the lion. His massive paw twitched slightly in his sleep, and she wondered what he might be dreaming about.

She knew what she would be dreaming about every night from now on. He was sitting right next to her.

“Do you think he has a mate?” Tammy asked as the thought suddenly hit her.

“I don’t know.” His expression grew troubled. “I’ll call Brad the sheriff and tell him what’s happened in case there was an accident of some kind. There might be people worried about him, looking for him.”

Tammy nodded, swallowing her mouthful of pancakes. “You’re right. I just hope he’s not in any kind of trouble. Or that trouble is not looking for him.”

Dougray’s brow furrowed in thought. “Yeah, that wound is nasty. I wonder if someone hurt him. Or if he got himself into trouble on the mountain.”

As they talked, the lion let out a low groan. Tammy was on her feet in an instant, moving cautiously toward him. His eyes fluttered open.

The lion’s amber eyes locked onto Tammy, a flicker of intelligence and confusion visible in their depths.

“Easy now,” Dougray’s voice came from behind her, low and soothing. “We’re here to help you.”

The lion’s ears twitched at the sound, but his eyes remained fixed on Tammy. Slowly, carefully, she crouched down beside him, maintaining eye contact.

“You’re safe here,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “We found you injured and brought you here to heal. Can you understand me?”

The lion blinked slowly, then gave a slight nod of his massive head. Tammy felt a rush of relief flood through her. He was conscious and aware enough to communicate.

“That’s good,” she said, keeping her tone calm and reassuring. “You’ve been given medication to help with the pain and to fight infection. Do you think you could shift back to your human form? It might help us treat you better.”

The lion’s eyes clouded with what looked like pain and uncertainty. He let out a low rumble, almost like a whimper, and Tammy’s heart ached at the sound, wishing there was more she could do to help him.

“It’s okay,” she soothed, fighting the urge to reach out and stroke his fur. “You don’t have to if you’re not ready. We’ll take care of you either way.”

Dougray moved closer, his presence warm and reassuring at Tammy’s back. “Is there anyone we can contact for you? Family or friends who might be worried?”

The lion’s eyes darted between them, and for a moment, Tammy thought she saw a flicker of fear. “Just rest,” she crooned, and the lion lowered his head to the straw and closed his eyes.

“I guess that’s a start,” Dougray said, but there was an edge to his voice.

“It’s going to take time,” she agreed and settled back into her chair.

Dougray stood for a long while, his thumbs hooked into his belt as he stared at the creature. He was worried. Tammy didn’t need to see his face to know it.

But whatever was on his mind, he kept it to himself. Perhaps because it was not a conversation he wanted to have in front of their shifter patient.

She picked up a pancake and chewed it as she mulled over their next step.

Telling the sheriff was their only option. But what then?

Would Brad want to take the lion in for questioning?

Not that questioning a lion who could not talk was going to be easy.

Might that be the reason the lion hadn’t shifted to his human form? It would be much easier to evade questions as a lion.

As she finished her pancake and took a sip of her coffee, Dougray stiffened.

“What is it?” she asked in a hushed whisper.

“Klein is coming.” Dougray finished his coffee and then stood up. “I’ll go see what he wants.” He glanced at the lion, not moving toward the door.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him.

Dougray’s jaw tensed and then he sighed heavily and went to the door. With a last backward glance at her, he slid it open and went outside.

Left alone, Tammy turned her attention back to the lion, who had stirred at the sound. Or maybe he too could sense Klein approaching. His amber eyes were open again, a mix of wariness and pain evident in their depths.

“It’s all right,” she soothed, keeping her voice low and calm. “You’re safe here.”

The lion’s ears twitched, and he let out a soft rumble that sounded almost like a sigh. Then he closed his eyes again.

Tammy sat still, watching him. Klein had probably come over to check on the patient. But when the barn door opened once more, she could tell by Dougray’s expression it was more than that.

And as his eyes rested on the sleeping lion, she instinctively knew Klein was the bearer of bad news.