A Heart to Bear (Bear Creek Forever #4)

Chapter Nineteen – Tammy

Tammy carefully checked the lion’s vitals before examining the wound on his flank. Uncle Gavin was right, it was looking better already. The edges were less angry-looking, and the stitches were holding well. But then it wasn’t as if the lion had moved around enough to strain them.

In fact, he’d barely moved at all.

She rested her hand to his ribcage and counted the rise and fall of his breath as she assessed his temperature. It all looked good.

“You should soon make a full recovery,” she told the lion.

Even though the lion had his eyes closed, she wasn’t certain that he was asleep. She also wasn’t certain whether he’d heard her conversation with Klein and Dougray.

Had they moved far enough away from the clinic when they spoke about the lion sighting and the paw prints?

Tammy gnawed on her bottom lip, afraid that if he had, he might decide to go on the run. But that would be dangerous. Not only because it increased the chance of him being seen but also because he needed a course of antibiotics to fend off infection.

“You’re safe here,” she crooned as she stroked his soft fur, but the lion did not respond.

He probably figured it was better that way. If he pretended to be asleep, he would not be expected to answer any questions about who he was and what he was doing there.

She slipped away from the lion and sat back in the recliner, a smile on her lips. She recalled as a teenager doing the exact same thing after she’d gotten in after her curfew. Deep down she knew she was avoiding the inevitable, but she’d kept her eyes shut when her mom came into her room the next morning to wake her up, hoping to delay the lecture she knew was coming.

Tammy chuckled to herself at the memory, her eyes drifting back to the lion. She wondered what his story was, how he’d ended up injured and alone in these parts.

She stared at the prone creature, wishing he would wake up. But then her attention was drawn to the sound of a vehicle approaching.

Tammy stood up, her heart fluttering like a lovesick fool. Had Dougray driven back over here now that it was too light for his bear to be seen on the mountains?

She smoothed her hands over her hair. Damn, she needed a shower. Perhaps when Uncle Gavin woke up, he could watch over the lion while she had a quick shower.

Tammy took one last glance at the lion and then tiptoed over to the door, pulling it open slowly, trying not to make any noise in case he really was sleeping. But he didn’t move, not even a twitch of his ear.

Stepping outside, she sucked in a breath of fresh air to help calm the nervous excitement building within. Dougray made her pulse race, and her knees go weak. Especially when he kissed her skin and licked her…

Heat flushed her face. This was no time to think about how they had made love beneath the stars last night. No, she had to focus on the predicament they were all in because of the lion sighting.

That was probably why he’d driven over here, to keep her updated on the news…

But as the vehicle came into view, her stomach clenched. The driver was familiar, but it was not Dougray. Or one of his brothers.

“Oh no,” she murmured to herself as she swallowed down the panic that bloomed in her chest.

This was not good. Not good at all.

The truck came to a stop, and the door opened. And there he stood, a wide grin on his face as if he were expecting Tammy to be happy to see him.

“Hello there.” He strode toward her, his arms outstretched, and before she had a chance to react, he pulled her into a hug, holding her close. “I knew you would be happy to see me.”

“Peter.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him away. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.” He nodded toward the clinic and shook his head. “And rescue you, by the looks of things. I could not believe it when your mom told me that you had come here to work.” He looked around, his nose wrinkled. “You don’t belong in a place like this, Tammy.”

“I…” As she opened her mouth to speak, movement caught her eye. There, striding toward them, was Dougray, his expression predatory, possessive.

“I know. You always said you don’t need rescuing,” Peter was saying. “But I think we both know that isn’t true.”

“Dougray.” She sidestepped Peter and went to meet her mate, unsure sure of how this was going to play out.

Dougray stalked toward them. His jaw was clenched, eyes narrowed as he assessed the newcomer. Tammy could feel the tension radiating off him, his protective instincts in full force.

“Everything all right here?” Dougray’s deep voice rumbled as he came to stand beside Tammy, his hand settling possessively on the small of her back.

Peter’s smile faltered, his gaze darting between Tammy and Dougray. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Dougray growled.

“I’m Peter. Peter Millan.” Peter thrust out his hand, a smile on his lips that did not reach his eyes. “I’m Tammy’s fiancé.”

“You mean the man who broke off the engagement a week before the wedding and left Tammy to pick up the pieces?” Dougray asked, his eyes boring into Peter.

“Oh, I see.” Peter chuckled. “Wow, you rebounded hard and fast, didn’t you, Tammy?”

“It’s not like that,” Tammy insisted, as Dougray tensed by her side, his attention drawn away from Peter, toward the clinic door.

Damn it! If the lion appeared now, they would never keep a lid on this story. She had to get Peter out of there and as far away from the lion shifter as possible.

“Listen.” She stepped away from Dougray and linked arms with Peter. There was no spark of recognition, no warmth at his touch. Just…nothingness.

No, that was not true.

She did feel something. Anger about the way he’d treated her, the way he’d spoken to her on his arrival, and the way he had the gall to call her his fiancé after everything he’d done.

But she had to put those feelings aside.

“Why don’t we drive into town and talk over coffee?” Tammy asked.

“We could talk here.” Peter nodded toward the house.

“My uncle was up all night with a sick bull,” Tammy quickly explained. “I don’t want to wake him.”

Peter hesitated, his gaze flicking between Tammy and Dougray. “All right, I suppose we could go into town. But I’d rather we talk alone.”

Tammy felt Dougray stiffen beside her, but she gave him a reassuring nod. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

Dougray’s jaw clenched, but he nodded curtly. “Call me if you need anything,” he said, his eyes never leaving Peter.

As Tammy climbed into Peter’s truck, she cast one last glance at the clinic before nodding at Dougray, hoping that he could read her mind. That he would keep the lion safe.

That he would understand why she was leaving with Peter.

But as their eyes met, his expression softened, and she knew that he trusted her. He knew she belonged to him, heart, body, and soul.

They were mates. The bond between them was unbreakable.

And that a man like Peter could never come between them.

All she had to do was figure out how to get rid of Peter. If he thought there was a story here, he would not leave until he uncovered it.

Not because he thought he owed it to people to expose the truth.

No, it went deeper than that. He needed a story. A big story.

His career had been in the doldrums for the last couple of years. After he left her, she’d heard talk that he’d ditched her so callously because he wanted to prove the rumors that his career was based on his family’s social status and money, rather than talent.

In short, the gossip mill branded him a talentless hack who’d only gotten ahead because of his family connections. Tammy knew this had stung Peter’s ego deeply. He was desperate to prove himself, to land that big scoop that would silence his critics once and for all.

But she was going to make sure he did not find that big scoop here.

“So, Peter,” she began, keeping her tone casual, “what brings you all the way out here? I thought your new assignment was for six months.”

“I missed you,” he said, flashing her a too-white smile.

“Don’t,” she said bluntly.

“Okay.” Peter’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “I heard rumors about strange animal sightings in these parts. Thought there might be a story here. One we might break together. We always made a great team.”

Tammy bit back the words she wanted to say. If she told Peter part of his problem was that he had no idea what teamwork was, she would antagonize him. Which would make it harder to make him believe her when she tried to convince him that the whole lion sightings thing was a hoax.

No, she needed to keep him calm, keep him thinking straight. And thinking logically.

Logic was not usually one of Peter’s strong suits, but she had to try. She took a deep breath and turned to face him.

“Peter, I appreciate you coming all this way, but there’s no story here. Those rumors about strange animal sightings? They’re just that—rumors. You know what it’s like. Someone posts something on social media and suddenly there’s a media frenzy.”

Peter glanced at her skeptically. “Come on, Tammy. We both know there’s rarely smoke without fire. Multiple people have reported seeing a lion in the area. That’s not normal for these parts.”

“Multiple?” Tammy forced herself to keep her voice steady and hide her panic.

“Yes.” He nodded as he steered the truck down the steep mountain road toward town.

“I thought there was one report of a sighting and then a photo of a paw print, which we both know could be from anywhere,” Tammy replied.

“That’s multiple,” he said.

“But the photo…” she began.

“Has been verified.”

“Verified.” She half closed her eyes, cursing under her breath.

“Yes, you know how photos can be doctored these days. But this one checks out. It’s genuine.” He glanced at her and cracked a grin. “I bet you never expected to have a lion prowling around this sleepy town.”

Tammy’s heart sank. This was worse than she’d feared. “I see. Even so, one photo and one sighting doesn’t make for much of a story, does it?”

Peter chuckled. “Oh, Tammy. Always so quick to downplay things. That’s why we made such a great team. I’d find the story, and you’d keep me grounded.”

She bristled at his patronizing tone but forced herself to remain calm. “I’m just being realistic, Peter. You came all this way for what could turn out to be nothing more than an escaped zoo animal or someone’s exotic pet. Is that really worth jeopardizing your new assignment?”

Peter’s jaw tightened. “This could be big, Tammy. I can feel it. There’s something more going on here, and I’m going to find out what it is.”

Tammy’s stomach churned. She needed to think fast. “Look, if there was anything unusual going on, don’t you think I would have noticed?”

“Maybe you’re too close to see it,” Peter said. “Just like you are too close to that cowboy.”

“That cowboy.” Tammy hated his derisive tone.

“Yeah, he sure looked shifty. I bet he knows something.” Peter turned onto the main road leading toward Bear Creek. “How could he not? I mean, if there was a lion up here, he’d have to hunt, right?”

“Theoretically,” Tammy agreed. If she protested too much, would he presume she knew more, too?

Peter’s suspicions were dangerously close to the truth. She had to steer him away from Dougray and the ranch at all costs without being too obvious.

“So, a rancher like Dougray would know. And since I expect the ranches around here scrape out a poor living, he’s likely trying to capture the lion and charge people to look at him.”

“Peter, I think you are straying into fantasy land here.”

Peter’s eyes narrowed. “You seem awfully defensive of him.”

Tammy forced a casual laugh. “I’m not being defensive. I just don’t know how you think Dougray would catch a lion.”

“Well, a man like that probably doesn’t have enough brain cells to think of the danger,” Peter snorted.

“Stop the truck.” She banged her hand down on the dashboard. She’d had enough of this man.

“What?” Peter slammed on the brakes. “Did you see it?”

Tammy yanked the door handle and climbed out. “The only thing I see is a man who’s so desperate for a story that he’s willing to insult good people and make wild accusations.”

Peter scrambled out after her. “Tammy, wait! I didn’t mean—”

“Yes, you did,” she cut him off, whirling to face him. “You meant every word. You always do.”

He had the grace to look sheepish. “I’m sorry. I just need this story.”

“And I need you to go home, Peter. This is my home now. I am building a new life here. And I don’t want you to spoil it for me.” Her eyes blazed as she wished she’d never met him. Never wasted so many years of her life believing she was in love with him.

“Get back in the truck, Tammy,” he said as if she were a headstrong child.

Tammy stood her ground, crossing her arms over her chest. “No, Peter. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

His expression darkened. “Don’t be difficult, Tammy. You know I always get what I want in the end.”

“Not this time,” she said firmly. “Go home. There’s no story here.”

Peter’s eyes narrowed. “You know something, don’t you? That’s why you’re so adamant about me leaving.”

Tammy shook her head, but she kept her face neutral. “The only thing I know is that you’re chasing shadows, Peter. There’s nothing here but hardworking people and a tight-knit community. No conspiracies, no hidden lions, nothing.”

Peter stepped closer, his eyes searching her face. “I don’t believe you. We were together for years, Tammy. I know when you’re hiding something.”

She stood her ground, refusing to be intimidated. “The only thing I’m hiding is my disappointment in you. I thought you were better than this…”

“Oh, I get it now,” he said, with a roll of his eyes. “This is your way of punishing me?”

“Punishing you?” She let out a short, incredulous laugh.

“Yes, you think I sabotaged our wedding and now you want to sabotage my career.” He turned and stalked away from her. “Well, I don’t need you, Tammy. My mother was right. I can do a hell of a lot better than a veterinarian.”

“Please do!” she called after him as he got in his truck and drove away.

But would he keep on driving, or was he here to stay until he’d found his story?