My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

2. Adelaide

Two his body can’t keep up with long days in the field or the constant exertion of manual labor.

Now, he fills his days with crossword puzzles and taking supplies to the guys in Cypress Valley.

“I know, Dad,” I say, patting his forearm before picking up my fork. “I miss her, too. After you finish eating— and take your meds —let’s go out to the azalea garden and visit with her.”

His eyes shine at the mention of visiting Mom. We lost her when I was in high school to a car accident. A drunk driver hit her head-on while she was coming back from a night shift at the hospital. They say she died instantly and didn’t feel any pain, which gave my dad and me some comfort during our time of grief.

Somehow, we weathered the storm together; coming out stronger and closer on the other side. But not a day goes by where I don’t think about her or how happy she and Dad were.

“She was the love of my life, ya know? Your mama. My Catherine.” He sniffles softly, thin lips tipping into a watery smile. “My soulmate. She’d be so proud of you, Addie Rose. She always said you’d be a veterinarian. We couldn’t keep you away from the chickens and cows when you were little.”

My heart deflates a little at his words. I’m not a vet. Not yet .

I had to give up my residency spot in Chicago a few months after I moved home. For the past year, I’ve been volunteering at the Oak Ridge clinic, holding out hope my petition for residency would go through and a spot would open up with Dr. Thomas, the local large animal veterinarian.

I’ve applied to a few other programs in Minnesota. But they’re all near Minneapolis, which is a few hours south of here. Truth be told, I’m scared to move, even a few hours away, and leave my dad alone again.

What if he has another heart attack? What if it’s worse this time?

“Thanks, Dad,” I whisper, voice fraught with emotion. “She’d be pretty proud of you for holding down the fort and raising a rowdy teenage girl on your own. ”

“Nothin’ rowdy about you, bug. Always so responsible and caring. Just like her. Did I ever tell you about how I met your mama?”

I love the way his face lights up and he appears younger every time he regales how it was love at first sight. Earl Rademacher is the original book boyfriend, courting and wooing my mom until she finally agreed to be his. Then fate, the cruel mistress, tore her away from him… from us.

“It was early fall, and for some reason, I decided to get coffee at the diner instead of brewing it here, at home. Ran smack dab into your mama as I was leaving. Too lost in my thoughts about the harvest, I guess. I felt so horrible about ruining her hospital uniform, so I convinced her to let me buy her dinner that night.”

Lips tipping into a smile, I rest my chin on my hand as I lean against the table. Their story is like something straight out of a 1980s rom-com.

“I knew the moment I laid eyes on her fiery-red hair and pale-green eyes—she was the one.” A wistful expression fills his weathered face, eyes twinkling. I can’t help but sigh, hoping someday I’ll have a love as instant and epic as theirs.

Dad finishes his story while we eat our breakfast. After a quick kitchen clean-up, I help him into his shoes and a hat to protect him from the sun. We’re nearing mid-July, so the sun is the most intense it will be all year, even this far north in Minnesota. We head out the back door, hand-in-hand, toward the memorial garden Dad planted after Mom passed. He chose azaleas, her favorite. Vibrant pinks, purples, and reds fill my vision as we get closer .

He groans as I help him onto the wooden bench. Intricately carved azalea blooms are woven through the light pine material. It’s beautiful.

I had it commissioned by the local shifter alpha, Reese, after moving back home. I was more than happy to support their community if it meant giving Dad a place to sit and talk to his love when the mood strikes.

“Morning, Catherine. Fine weather we’re having this year. I wonder if that’s your doing,” he jokes, arthritis-riddled fingers stroking the carved wood. His eyes have a far off look, gently sweeping across the azalea blooms as they billow in the summer breeze.

“Hey, Mom.” Voice soft, I bend to pick a fuchsia bloom from one of the bushes, twirling it absentmindedly between my fingers.

“You’re right, sweetheart. Now is a good time to talk to Addie about Cypress Valley.” His rough chuckle rings through the quiet morning air, still cool from the rain overnight.

“What’s happening at Cypress Valley?” My curiosity is piqued by the mention of the shifter community located nearby in the forest.

Oak Ridge and some of the surrounding small towns welcome, and even support, shifters, so a small group of bear shifters have settled in seclusion about an hour away. They keep mostly to themselves, but Dad likes to deliver any food or miscellaneous supplies to them and shoot the shit.

“Well, Tyler threw an idea at me the other day. And I thought you’d be the perfect person. You have the knowledge and the time. ”

Tyler. The mere mention of the tattooed, flirtatious shifter sends my heart into a tailspin.

Any time I’m around him, I turn into a puddle of goo. Color rises to my freckled cheeks at the thought of his broad shoulders and bulging biceps. And the way he looks straddling that all-black motorcycle… mmmm, yes, please.

He kissed me once, only days after we’d met, but I still remember his soft lips on mine before I came to my senses and pushed him away, telling him I wasn’t looking for anything other than a friend. At that point, I wasn’t looking for a relationship, since I was sure I’d go back to Chicago and finish my residency. But that’s no longer an option.

“Addie? You listenin’, bug?”

Shaking my head, I clear the hearts from my eyes and plop onto the bench next to my dad. “Sorry, I got distracted.”

The old man winks at me. “I could tell. Are you ever gonna tell that boy how you feel? Not every man is as in tune with his emotions as I am.” He puffs his chest in pride, making me giggle.

“We’re just friends, Dad. You know that. He’s still nursing a broken heart, and I’m still looking for another vet residency. It’s better this way. No one gets hurt…” I trail off, his warm hand wrapping around mine in a comforting squeeze.

“I don’t blame you, honey. But until you find another program, why not spend some more time with Tyler? Maybe you can heal that heart of his.”

I groan. “I think he’s still hurt over my rejection when we first met. I mean, who kisses someone they’ve only had two conversations with?” My dad is my confidant. Of course I told him about the infamous kiss between me and Ty .

He shrugs. “Shifters are a different breed, remember? Anyway, you won’t know until you try. Wanna hear my plan?”

“Lay it on me, old man,” I say, smirking up at him. Even with his health troubles and old age, my dad is still a big guy. Six-foot-three, with a good amount of muscle leftover from his days on the farm. It’s probably why he had such a quick recovery from his heart surgery.

“Watch it, missy,” he jokes, poking me in the ribs. “You know how Reese and his group strive to be self-sustaining?”

I nod.

“Tyler had the idea to start raising livestock, so they could have some variety besides the wild game they hunt. I suggested chickens, since they’re relatively easy to take care of and don’t require a lot of space.”

My brows furrow as his words sink in. “Okay, so how does this involve me? Ty seems like a handy guy. I bet he could build a chicken coop on his own.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Knowin’ that boy, those chickens will be living in a five-star resort. I think he already has names picked out.”

Cupping a hand to my mouth, I whisper conspiratorially to my dad, “He knows the chickens are for eating, right?”

Raucous laughter booms from his mouth as he wraps me in a side hug. “I’ll let you break the news to him. Anyway, I’m too old to start over with livestock, but you’re not. And you have plenty of free time now that your volunteer hours at the vet clinic in town got cut.” He winks at me again. Does he think he’s slick? Playing matchmaker for me and Tyler.

It’s not gonna happen .

Admitting I’m in love with him would ruin our perfect friendship. Plus, I’ve seen him leave the local bar with different women on numerous occasions; he’s a total player.

“Let me get this straight. You want me to, what, move to Cypress Valley and raise chickens for Reese’s pack?”

His shoulder hitches up in a shrug. “Somethin’ like that. You have all this unused knowledge from growing up on the farm. And you’re this close to being a vet.” He holds up his thumb and pointer, only half an inch between the two digits. “Seems a waste not to use it while you wait for another residency. Come on, kiddo. You left your life in Chicago to take care of me after the heart attack. It’s been two years. I’m fine. It’s time for you to start living again.”

“I am living!” I defend.

One of Dad’s thick caterpillar brows raises in a scrupulous look.

“Okay, fine! I’m not living, but I’m taking care of you.”

“Addie Rose, you know I love you. But it’s time to spread your wings and leave the nest. I love you more than you’ll ever know for dropping everything to take care of me. I might be old, but I’m not dead yet. It’s time for me to start taking care of myself, plus you’d only be an hour away. That’s a lot closer than Chicago.” He bumps my shoulder with his.

“I know,” I sniffle, not sure I’m ready to leave my dad on his own. He’s been through so much in his life. “You still need me?”

“I’ll always need you, bug. You’re my girl, but I need you to start living for you again. And I’ve seen the way Tyler looks at you. Reminds me a hell of a lot how I used to look at your mama. ”

“So, what? I just pack up and move to Cypress Valley?”

He shrugs. “At least for the time being. Until you get accepted to a new residency or those boys learn how to take care of the chickens themselves. Nothin’ keeping you here—besides me. And I’m not goin’ anywhere. Take a leap for me, bug. Change of scenery might be exactly what you need.”

Weighing his words, my eyes wander over the azalea blooms as they sway in the breeze. He’s not wrong. I have been wallowing a smidge ever since my hours at the clinic ended. Living in the seclusion of Cypress Valley isn’t a terrible idea. Being surrounded by nature sounds pretty good.

And my friends, Sydney and Wren, are there. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them... and Tyler.

I huff a laugh. Always the meddler, my father. “Fine. I’ll head over to Cypress Valley and iron out the details. I’m not making any promises, though.”

“You say that now,” he says, pulling me to a stand next to him. Together, we say goodbye to Mom and head back into the house.

I am overdue for a trip to Cypress Valley, since I’m no longer swamped by volunteer hours. Grabbing my purse and keys, I skip down the front steps to the driveway, where my truck is parked. Familiar butterflies swarm my tummy in anticipation, like they do every time I go to see Tyler.