My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

3. Tyler

“ L ooks good, man.” Clapping a hand on Will’s shoulder—a shoulder that’s almost as tall as my own now—I smile. The chicken coop is coming together nicely. We’ll be more than ready to pick up the chicks when they arrive at the feed store tomorrow; there’s just one piece missing. The small, wooden, house-like structure stands at one end of the fenced area. “Why don’t you take a lunch break while I finish up?”

Will’s shaggy brown hair hangs in his eyes as he bobs his head in a nod. Both he and his brother, Benny, are growing like weeds. I swear they eat more than me at this point. Once lanky bodies have started to fill out with strong muscles due to the manual labor necessary around here.

Focusing back on the coop, I nail the few remaining boards in place, until gravel crunching under tires draws my attention to the road .

The rusty, old black pickup pulls to a stop in front of the greenhouse. Tossing my hammer on the ground, I straighten to a stand and remove my work gloves, tucking them in the back pocket of my jeans.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Addie says, her cheery voice like a balm on my aching heart.

And there’s my missing piece. Our future vet.

Hopping down from the truck, she slams the door before walking toward me. She pushes her oversized black sunglasses up, nestling them into her copper curls.

Adelaide Rose . My fucking dream girl, whom I’ve placed firmly in the friend zone after she rejected my kiss a few years ago.

“He was right.” Her soft voice has me and my bear perking up.

“Hey, Addie.” My eyes eat up her voluptuous curves as she gets closer. She’s wearing a white t-shirt knotted at the small of her waist and a wildly printed floral skirt. The fabric sways in a tantalizing wave around her hips with every step. Like always, chunky combat boots adorn her feet. She’s the perfect mix of leather and lace, feminine and strong.

Peeling my eyes off her perfect body, I wave a hand toward the chickens’ new home. “What do you think?”

“My dad said you’d build the chickens a damn luxury resort. Guess he was right.” She peers up at me with stormy-gray eyes that haunt my dreams on a nightly basis. An intoxicating rose scent wafts off her skin in waves, filling my lungs until they burn with lust .

When we first met, I thought it was her shampoo or body lotion, but I know better now. It’s her. And her scent calls to me because she’s my fated mate. A low rumble sounds in my head, my grizzly instantly perking up at her presence.

Swallowing down his whine, I tuck my hands into my pockets. “I read that happy chickens lay more eggs.” I flash her a wink, which has a light pink flush spreading across her cheeks and chest, drawing my eyes to the hint of cleavage visible through the V-neck of her shirt.

I’d give anything to trace that valley with my tongue. I bet she’d moan so prettily for me.

Cutting off that train of thought before I pop a boner in front of my friend , I take a step away from her. My bear whines in my ear again, urging me to get closer to our mate. Not gonna happen, bud. You remember what happened last time.

The second time Addie and I were around each other, my bear got the better of me and I planted my lips right on hers.

Honestly, I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking, kissing this woman I barely knew. Fresh off the brutal rejection from Amber, my heart was in shreds, and I was in no place to claim my mate.

My bear didn’t understand, growling in my head for me to claim her right then and there. Maybe he thought having our mate would fix what was broken inside me. But, boy, was he wrong.

After I’d apologized profusely, Addie explained she was only here to take care of her dad. She had a veterinary residency waiting for her at home… in fucking Chicago .

The sharp sting of her rejection was another tear in my already shattered heart, thanks to Amber. Fuck, the thing is barely stitched back together as it is. I can’t afford anymore heartache, so I haven’t made another move since.

If I can’t have her as my mate right now, at least I can have her in my life as a friend. It’s better than nothing.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself… and my damn bear. He whines his disagreement in my head.

“I don’t know about that,” she says. “We had chickens when I was growing up and they laid plenty of eggs in a basic coop. But maybe you’re onto somethin’, Ty.” She lets out a soft laugh, stepping closer to inspect my work.

“I take it your dad told you about my idea.” A smile pulls at my lips, knowing she’ll be living right next door to me if she agrees. I must be a glutton for punishment.

“Yup.” She pops the P, trailing her fingers across the chicken wire as she continues her inspection. “I swear you two are conspiring against me. The chickens are just collateral damage.”

I cross my arms over my chest, not missing how her eyes linger on my tattooed biceps. And, maybe, I flex a little until a flash of heat flickers across her gaze. There and gone almost too quickly to notice. “You can’t baby your dad forever, Addie. But I selfishly want to keep my best friend here, so I guess I’m guilty as charged.” Uncrossing my arms, I hold my hands in front of me, wrists facing up like she’s going to cuff me.

“Very funny. You really want me to move here?” She trails behind me as I circle the fence around the coop, my eyes scanning for any holes .

“Damn straight! We need that beautiful brain of yours to help Cypress Valley become more independent. So, what do you say, Dr. Rademacher?”

“I’m not a doctor.” Her voice is quiet, face tilted down toward the ground.

“But you will be. Think of this as a stepping stone until Dr. Thomas has a spot for you.”

“I guess I’ve been so caught up with my dad that my life’s been on the back-burner.”

I smirk. “See, now you’re catchin’ on, sweet rose.” Her flushed cheeks darken further at the nickname. She’s never questioned it, but I see the way her body reacts, a shiver racing down her spine.

Mirroring my earlier stance, she crosses her arms over her chest, pressing her tits further against the confines of her shirt. My eyes flit around, searching for anything else to focus on—

There! A hole in the chicken wire. Perfect!

“So, let’s say I do move here. Where would I stay?”

Keeping my hands busy, I slip my gloves back on and twist the wire until the hole is closed. “The cabin next to mine is empty.” My tongue rolls over the words like my heart isn’t ready to break out of my chest. “Reese finally fixed the plumbing, and it’s partially furnished. You just need a bed and whatever else you can’t live without.”

“Alright.” She extends a delicate hand toward me. Removing my glove, my dirt-crusted, callused hand engulfs hers in a firm shake. “But you know this is only temporary, right? Just until I get another vet residency. ”

I smile, nodding as I shake her hand. “Sure, darlin’.” But my bear huffs. He and I both know there’s nothin’ temporary about Addie Rose being in Cypress Valley.

This is where she belongs. I know it deep in my soul, even if I’m too much of a coward to claim her.

“And you’re doing all the heavy lifting.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” I wink, holding in my chuckle as her cheeks flush and she steps back.

I strangle the small surge of excitement as it blooms in my chest that my best friend has agreed to move in right next door. Where she’ll be living, eating, bathing, dressing, undressing—

“Addie!” A tiny blonde streaks past me, interrupting my thoughts before they can get me in trouble. Sydney collides with Addie, nearly knocking her to the ground.

“Slow down, Angel. No need to tackle her with your hug.” Reese’s deep chuckle floats past me as he follows his mate. I’m still not used to seeing the brooding alpha smile and laugh. Sydney crashed into his life a few months ago, and the two have been inseparable ever since.

She’s good for him, makes him lighter, softer.

Sydney finally releases her death grip on Addie, coming to stand next to Reese. “Is Tyler jumping the gun? He said you were moving here?” The excitement in her voice is contagious. Addie will be a welcome addition to the community. Everyone already knows and loves her.

Lifting her shoulder in a shrug, Addie says, “Looks that way.”

“Wren is going to be so ecstatic. We can have girls’ nights all the time. This is so exciting!” She bounces on her toes, the epitome of a ball of energy.

“Speaking of, where is Wren?” Addie asks.

Sydney clasps Reese’s big hand in her much smaller one. The size difference between them is almost comical. “She and Kier took Benny into town to buy new clothes. He’s growing like a weed.” Sydney’s sister, Wren, is mated to my pack mate, Kiernan. He stumbled upon her, lost in the woods, almost a year ago.

“We were just headed to the lake for a swim. You two want to join us?” The little brat waggles her brows at me suggestively. Always the shit-stirrer.

“No, thank you. I know what you and Reese get up to down there.” I point my finger between the two of them. “That water probably needs some bleach in it after all the bodily fluids y’all have left behind.”

I don’t miss the pink creeping onto Reese’s bearded cheeks. Unfortunately, I’ve stumbled upon those two fucking at the lake on too many occasions. My chest squeezes; jealousy rearing its ugly head at how happy Reese is now that he has his fated mate.

You could have yours, too…

And risk my heart again. I’m not sure I’ve recovered from Amber—or Addie’s initial rejection—yet.

“Your loss. The dock is the perfect—”

Reese slaps a hand over her mouth, effectively shutting her up. “Angel, let’s save some of the mystery. Yeah?”

Blue eyes glare up at him. Man, if looks could kill. I chuckle. Sydney is the only person with the guts to put Reese in his place .

“The coop’s coming along nicely,” Reese says, slowly peeling his massive hand away from his mate’s face. “When are you picking up the chicks?”

“Frank at Oak Ridge Feed and Supply called this morning. He’s expecting our chicks tomorrow. Addie, you wanna come with me to pick them up?” I swing my head toward her.

She nods. “Sure. I’m going to head home and pack my stuff. Text me later, and we’ll make a plan.” With that, she says a quick goodbye to Sydney, promising to text her later about girls’ night, and heads for her truck.

I turn away before Sydney’s nosey eyes can home in on the pleased smile curling the corners of my mouth. By tomorrow night, Addie will be my neighbor, and we’ll be seeing each other every day. This is either the best idea I’ve ever had… or the worst. I’m crossing my fingers for the former.