My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

6. Adelaide

“ Y ou’re late,” I huff, somehow managing to haul my ass into the passenger seat of the lifted monstrosity without killing myself. Once seated, I cross my arms over my chest and glare around the cab of the truck. “Whose truck is this? Why does anyone need a truck this big?”

A deep chuckle fills my ears as my gaze swings to the driver’s seat. “Hello to you, too, sweetheart.” Tyler smirks at me, that damn crooked smile filling my insides with goo and instantly softening my bad mood. His tattooed hand extends with a to-go coffee cup and a brown paper bag I’m almost certain contains my favorite blueberry muffin. He’s always doing thoughtful little things like this for me.

Guilt wiggles into my brain, and I wince at how I snapped at him.

I’m not a grumpy person.

Quite the opposite. I’m usually the one cheering everyone else up. In Chicago, I was known for my sunny disposition and always bringing treats to the clinic .

“Sorry. I’m nervous.” My fingers tap on the side of the paper coffee cup. “And I tossed and turned all night, worrying about not being there for my dad.”

His large hand lands on my thigh, the fingers curling gently and sending heat rippling under my skin, soothing my runaway worries. Why does his touch calm me?

“Your dad will be okay, my sweet rose.” My heart flutters out of control, like it does every time he calls me his.

But I’m not his, which has my mind wandering to where he spent last night.

“How was your night?” My eyes dip to the lid of my coffee.

Truthfully, I don’t want to know. I don’t want to think about Tyler with another woman, but the question slips out before I can catch myself.

His hand slips from my thigh to rub at the back of his neck, and his handsome face pulls into a wince. I can’t help the hope filling my chest at his sour expression.

That optimist grows brighter when he answers, “Things didn’t exactly work out.”

I don’t care if it makes me a petty person; my heart sings at the knowledge he didn’t sleep in Kandice’s bed.

“Oh, umm, that’s too bad,” I squeak, but on the inside, I’m throwing my hands in the air as I do a little celebratory dance.

A gust of air whooshes from his mouth as he focuses on the road. “Yeah, I don’t think she’s the right woman for me.” Those smoldering eyes linger on me for only a split second before sliding back to the road. “Anyway, we’re gonna be neighbors. It’s gonna be fun, like one big sleepover.” His wink sends another round of warmth through me, this time pinking my cheeks and chest.

“Now—” he pats my thigh before placing his hand back on the steering wheel “ —let’s go pick up some chicks!” My laughter echoes around the truck cab, instantly joined by Tyler’s deep chuckle. Ever the jokester, I’m not sure he has a serious bone in that massive body of his.

Liquid fire pools between my legs as I take in the way his big hands grip the steering wheel. The veins in his forearms pop, barely visible through the intricate grayscale designs decorating his tan skin. I could spend hours tracing the artwork with my fingers—or tongue.

Following the tattooed path up his muscular arms to where his black t-shirt strains around his thick biceps, I stifle a whimper, quickly turning my eyes to the road before he can catch me drooling over him.

He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a partner: funny, caring, hardworking, and drop-dead gorgeous.

Too bad we’re just friends.

If only I hadn’t rejected him two years ago. Maybe we could have been something great, but we’ve settled into an easy friendship and I’m too scared to ruin it.

I’m so lost in thought, I don’t notice we’re at the feed store until Tyler cranks the gearshift into park and twists the key from the ignition. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Gulping, I push down the cocktail of emotions swimming in my brain, worry about my dad, anxiety about getting another residency, and longing for Tyler. Instead, I let the excitement of being around animals again brew in my belly and plaster a smile on my face.

It’s been a month since the Oak Ridge clinic had to cut my hours, and I’ve desperately missed caring for all the animals. There’s something about the unconditional love an animal can provide you. Hopefully, the chicks will fill some of the void in my heart. “Nothing important,” I reassure, popping my door open. “Let’s go get those chicks.”

This time it’s my turn to wink. As I hop from the truck, Tyler’s deep groan rumbles to my ears, making me snicker.

“ T hanks, Frank!” I nod a goodbye as I clutch the cardboard box full of squirming chicks in my arms. Pushing open the shop door, I step onto the sidewalk.

I figure these little babies would rather be out in the fresh air while we wait for Tyler. He has to buy the feed and other supplies, so I gently settle the box on the open tailgate of the truck bed.

Before I can hoist my body onto the warm metal next to them, a hulking form with a bag of feed under one arm and a tiny goat under the other exits the store. Oh, what is he up to now?

Meeting his signature smirk with a scowl of my own, I cross my arms as he approaches. “Why do you have a baby goat, Tyler? ”

Letting me stew a bit, he tosses the feed bag into the truck bed with little effort. Stupid muscles. Must be nice to toss around fifty-pound bags like they weigh nothing. The cotton of his shirt stretches taut across his chest as he twists toward me, juggling the goat in his hands.

I clench my thighs together and swallow back my whimper. Okay, not stupid muscles. Very hot muscles.

The click of hooves against the truck bed draws my gaze away from Tyler’s broad chest to the little fluff ball licking the cardboard box. “Frank said someone brought her in and left her. They bought her as a pet for their kids, but didn’t realize how much work a goat was.” One big hand grips the back of his neck as his cheeks flush slightly. “I thought with all your vet training, maybe we could keep her at Cypress Valley. I mean, how could someone just leave this poor little baby? Look at her. She’s adorable!”

Pleading mossy eyes meet mine before I swing my gaze back to the goat. She pulls away from munching on the cardboard, giving me the full weight of her stare. Like she knows it’s now or never, she lets out the cutest little bleat. Wide warm caramel eyes blink at me, and I’m a goner. Combined with the patchwork of white, black, and gray speckled across her tiny body, I can’t say no.

Reaching a hand out, her pink tongue tickles at my palm. Hooves dance happily as she nuzzles my hand. “You are awfully cute,” I coo, my voice reaching an annoying octave as I slip into baby-talk.

I scratch my nails along the soft fur between her ears, giggling as they twitch. The cutest little bleating sound echoes from her mouth as she pushes her head further against my hand. “Where is she going to live? You know this is another mouth to feed, right?”

His large hand wraps around her narrow back as he pets her, eyes never leaving the tiny goat. “I have enough supplies leftover from the chicken coop to build a small pen for her. And I’ll give her the fruits and veggies we can’t use. It’ll be perfect. All the food that normally goes to waste will go in her belly.” On cue, he scratches her stomach, and she bleats again, back feet stomping like she can’t control them with the joy bursting through her little body.

“Alright.” I sigh, giving up the fight all too easily. “You win. Let’s get your menagerie home.” I sweep a hand toward the box of peeping chicks and the tiny jumping goat.

A winning smile lights up his whole face, and I can’t help but smile, too. Tyler has a big heart. It’s one of the things I adore most about him.

“What are we going to name her?” I ask once we’ve settled in the truck. From the box on my lap, the chicks fill the truck cab with their happy chirps. Their downy yellow and black heads bob with every bump in the road as we pull out of the parking lot.

“I was thinking Gertie. Short for Gertrude.” From her place on his lap, Gertie raises her head and lets out a tiny screech. With a laugh, he strokes her head. “See, she likes it. Don’t you, Gertie?”

My ovaries explode a little as his normally low, gravelly voice morphs into a gentle coo. Clearing my throat, I shut that line of thinking down right away. “Okay, hotshot, chicks have been acquired. What’s next on the agenda?” I ask, glancing over at Ty, my eyes hidden behind dark, oversized sunglasses.

His lips split into a smirk, revealing sparkling, straight white teeth. Even his teeth are gorgeous. Ugh, I’ve got it bad.

“I thought we could drop the chicks and Gertie with Wren and gather the troops to start moving your things to Cypress Valley. Sound good?”

Swallowing my lust for my best friend, I nod. Those familiar nerves swirl in my stomach, knowing tonight is the first night I’ll spend away from Dad in almost two years. But he’s right, time to cut the cord and start living.

As if he can sense the shift in my mood, Tyler places his hand over mine where it rests on the center console. “I know you’re worried, Addie, but I promise everything will be fine. Trust me?”

He peeks over the top of his sunglasses at me, so much love radiating in his beautiful green eyes.

“Yeah, I trust you, Ty,” I croak, my throat suddenly dry, clogged up at the emotion shining in his gaze.

“So, have you heard back from any of the residencies you applied to?”

Shaking my head, I reach into the box on my lap and stroke a finger over the soft fluff on one of the chicks’ heads. It twitters and nuzzles closer to my touch. “Not yet. Between you and me, I’m hoping they reject me, so I have an excuse to stay here. Dr. Thomas said it could be a few weeks until she gets the okay to take me on as a resident. Even with approval, the position wouldn’t be open until fall, when her current vet tech moves.”

“Is that what you want? To stay here?” he asks quietly .

Something akin to hope shimmers in his eyes before they swing back to the road in front of us.

“Of course I want to stay here. My whole life is here now. ”

“I hope you get what you want, Addie. You’ve sacrificed enough over the past few years. It’s your turn for some good luck. In the meantime, I’m really glad you’re doing this.” His throat constricts before he continues. “I know I’m asking a lot from you, but you’re helping my pack get one step closer to being self-sustainable.”

“You know I’d do anything for you—I mean for you and the pack,” I clarify. Silence stretches between us as our eyes lock until Gertie graces us with an ear-splitting screech. The volume of the sound is shocking coming from her tiny body. “Wow, girl! You’ve got a set of lungs on you!”

Tyler’s eyes slice back to the windshield as we both stifle our laughter.

B y midmorning, we’re back in Cypress Valley. Wren stops by, all too happy to watch Gertie and the chicks until later. Tyler wants to be the one to introduce the chicks to their new home, so we’re keeping them in their box until tomorrow morning. They’ll be nice and cozy with the heat lamp I brought from Dad’s old supplies. Surprisingly, the thing still works, even though it’s probably been collecting dust in the shed for years.

I stand in the middle of the entryway, taking in the cabin that will be my home for the foreseeable future .

It’s small, but modern and well-maintained. One giant open area houses a state-of-the-art kitchen with stainless steel appliances and dark granite countertops. Reese really updated these old cabins with the best of the best when he built this community.

Straight ahead, the living room is furnished with an oversized gray sectional, coffee table, and a large television. Simple, yet cozy. It pairs perfectly with the exposed wooden beams on the ceiling.

Wandering down the hall, I come across the bathroom of my dreams, tiled all in white. A soaker tub in one corner and a separate shower in the other. I can’t wait to relax my sore muscles later in a warm bath.

Across from the bathroom is the single bedroom.

Overall, the place is perfect for one person.

Walking into the bedroom, my body gravitates to the floor-to-ceiling windows that make up most of the back wall. The forest stretches out as far as my eyes can see. Moss and fern covered ground gives way to mammoth trees stretching up into the clouds. It’s serene, and I can’t wait to wake up to this view every morning.

“It’s just like mine.” Hot breath puffs against my ear, a wall of heat engulfing my back.

“You keep sneaking up on me, Tyler Gardner. Don’t you know that’s a sure fire way to scare the ladies off? No one likes a creep.” I resist the magnetic pull of his body, tempting me to lean back against his hard chest and soak up his masculine scent. Mmm, smoke and leather .

His deep chuckle hits my ear, the bursts of air causing small tendrils of my red hair to tickle the side of my face. “Sorry, Addie Rose. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Firm hands land on my shoulders, spinning me to face him. My eyes land on the intricate rose tattooed on the side of his neck.

For some inexplicable reason, his flesh calls to me.

Without thinking, my fingers make contact with the smooth skin, tracing over the black and gray petals. His Adam’s apple bobs and a low purr rumbles from his chest.

The sound has me in a trance as my fingers continue to slide across his skin. He doesn’t push me away. In fact, I swear he leans closer to my touch.

Does he feel this mysterious thread between us, too? Like it’s sewing our souls together with every breath.

Suddenly, my brain reboots and I jerk my hand back. I rejected him before. I shouldn’t be touching him like this, caressing his skin like a lover. It’s sending him mixed signals. He’s my best friend, not my boyfriend.

“Sorry,” I murmur, taking a step back until the cool glass of the window seeps through my clothes, effectively calming my racing heart and grounding me. Clearing my throat, my gaze locks on his emerald eyes. They’re burning with an unfamiliar emotion… lust. “Did, um, did you need something?” I internally cringe at the squeak in my voice.

Smooth, Addie.

Tyler blinks once, and when he opens his eyes, the fire has faded, his eyes cooling to their normal deep green. “Yeah, Kiernan and I are headed back to your dad’s to get your bed and the last few boxes. Do you want to come with us?”

I nod, walking past him to the door, hoping he’ll forget what just happened.