Tad

by Harmony Raines

Heather’s hand shook as she unlocked the car and her knees trembled as she climbed awkwardly into the driver’s seat. With fumbling fingers, she managed to snap the seatbelt closed before inserting the key into the ignition.

  A quick glance in the rearview mirror showed Tad still rooted to the spot where she’d left him. Where they’d touched.

  He’d felt it, too. She knew it.

  She just didn’t know what she’d felt.

  Her skin buzzed where it had brushed against his. There had been a connection between them.

  Or was she reading too much into it? They’d only just met, they had little in common, and she didn’t believe in love at first sight.

  She wasn’t sure she even believed in love anymore. Of course, she knew the love between parent and child was real. She experienced it every time she looked at her children. And her mother, her dear, crazy mother.

  But there had never been any fire between Heather and her ex-husband. Not even a warm glow.

  Dragging her gaze away from the mirror, Heather put her foot on the gas pedal and drove away from Thaddeus Harrison. The man was altogether too disturbing.

  A quick glance at the clock in the dashboard told her she had no time to take a detour to Wolf Valley to find Kurt and ask him to open the craft barn instead. And anyway, it would be rude to turn down such a generous offer from Tad.

  Why was she even considering turning Tad down? He’d made a generous offer and he seemed like a really nice guy. If a little odd. But compared to her mom and Rosemary, he was just about normal. So why the unease?

  Because he scared her. And excited her. In equal measure.

  When she moved to Bear Creek, she’d made a plan, and that plan didn’t involve a man in her life. She was done with romance, at least until her children were grown up.

  So why did her mind keep conjuring up images of Tad? His smile, his strong hands. Strong, capable hands. Skilled hands.

  She swallowed down her desire. She missed sex. That’s all there was to it. She missed being with a man. She missed making plans for the future.

  She did not miss the hurt and pain.

  Jerking her brain back to real life, she focused on what else she needed to do before the opening. But despite her efforts, she couldn’t help picturing Tad with his hands covered in clay as he molded and shaped the substance into the most incredible sculptures.

  Heather parked her car, the journey from Tad’s house to the school nothing but a blur in her head. Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, she let out a sigh of relief. She wasn’t late.

  Opening the car door, she got out and stood on the sidewalk taking gulps of cool air as she smoothed out her clothes. Once she was certain she was back in control of her thoughts and emotions, she checked to see if there was any traffic coming before striding across the street toward the school gates where other parents had gathered to wait for their kids.

  Inhaling deeply, she forced a smile on her face. It was important that she made friends with the other parents, but this part of motherhood was one of the hardest. She felt like a fish out of water. Not only was she new in town but she was older than most of the mothers by around ten years or so. She hadn’t met Andy until she was in her late thirties and although Heather hadn’t had trouble conceiving, she was still classed as an older mother.

  “Hi there.” She smiled brightly at one of the mothers she’s seen at the gates before. “It’s another beautiful day.”

  “It is.” The mother agreed but made no further attempt at conversation.

  Heather’s brain instantly emptied of all coherent thought and she pressed her lips together as she turned her head around and stared at the school building. She wanted to fit in so badly and hadn’t Tad said how friendly the people in Bear Creek were?

  “Hello. You’re Bella’s mom, aren’t you?” A male voice from behind her made her jump.

  “Yes. Bella.” Wow, she was a master at conversation. How had she ever believed in herself enough to think she could open and run a successful business? However, when she turned around and saw the owner of the voice, she was certain most women found themselves speechless in his presence.

  “Carter Eden.” The gorgeous man thrust his hand out to her. Heather didn’t need an introduction; she knew exactly who he was. Famous movie star turned brewery owner. He was responsible for creating the ever-popular Bear Creek Honey Beer.

  “Heather Jarvis.” She took his hand, it was warm and welcoming, just like his smile.

  “My daughter is in first grade. She said Bella helped her with her math homework yesterday. Apparently, she is a math mastermind. At least first-grade math mastermind.” Carter’s smile was like sunshine on a rainy day.

  “My daughter is friends with Bella,” the other mother said quickly as she inserted herself into the conversation.

  “There, Bella must be very popular.” Carter winked at Heather. “Bella said you are opening up a craft barn on the outskirts of town.”

  “I am. The grand opening is on Saturday.” Heather nodded. “Tad Harrison has just offered to open it for us. Since Rosemary Cantrell had to pull out due to medical reasons.”

  “Oh, I know Tad. I commissioned a sculpture from him for my wife’s birthday. It was of our two children. She loved it. He’s very talented.” Carter looked up as the school bell rang. “Here they come.”

  Carter looked genuinely happy as his eyes searched the throng of children streaming out of the school building and heading toward the school gates. He seemed like a very down-to-earth kind of a guy, which was refreshing. Heather figured a famous movie star would have an ego as big as the number of followers he had on social media. She was certain she’d read an article on the top one hundred most-followed people in show biz and Carter had made the cut with several million followers.

  The Space Monkeys star waved frantically as a young girl saw him and ran forward with her arms outstretched. Carter dashed toward her, scooped the young girl up in his arms and hugged her tightly, which had an emotional effect on Heather. Her throat constricted and her eyes pricked with tears. Fighting to stop them from rolling down her cheeks, she swallowed hard and stared at the children leaving school, searching for the familiar faces of her children.

  “Bella.” Heather lifted her hand and waved as her youngest child saw her and walked faster toward her mom, ponytail swinging from side to side with each step.

  “Bella should come over for a play date one day soon,” Carter said as he swung his daughter up onto his shoulders.

  “That would be great,” Heather answered enthusiastically. “Once the opening is out of the way I should have more free time and we could return the invitation.”

  “Great.” He took a couple of steps away from the gates. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

  “Saturday?” Heather asked as Bella reached her side.

  “For the opening.” Carter grinned at her open-mouthed shock. “I’ll announce it on Twitter.”

  Heather’s face paled. “Don’t you have a gazillion followers?”

  “Yep. I hope you are prepared.” His smiled widened. “I’ll stick around, sign some autographs and make sure I encourage people to support the local artists.”

  With that, Carter Eden turned around and walked off down the street with his young daughter giggling happily as he bobbed up and down.

  “Are you all right, Mommy?” Bella asked at her side as Heather stared at Carter Eden’s back.

  “Yes. Yes, I am.” Heather crouched down and hugged her daughter close as the people around them began to disperse. “Did you have a good day?”

  “I did.” Bella’s bottom lip trembled.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Heather asked, taking hold of Bella’s hand.

  “I had a good day, but Zack didn’t.” Heather looked at the trail of children leaving the school, which was thinning out, with no sign of Bella’s brother, Zack.

  “Do you know what happened?” Heather asked.

  “He had art.” Bella figured that was enough
of an explanation and she was probably right. Thanks to his father’s outspoken opinions on artists and their lack of worth in the business world, Zack avoided art at school. So that the teachers would never have a chance to see his talent and encourage it.

  “Shall we go and see if we can find him?” Heather asked. She clasped hold of Bella’s hand and they walked toward the school building. However, as she approached, the main door opened and Zack came out, with a male teacher by his side. “Oh dear.”

  “That’s Mr. Crabb. He’s really nice,” Bella skipped as she spoke, a sure sign she liked the male teacher. “Hello, Mr. Crabb.” She lifted her hand and waved.

  “Hi there, Bella. I was going to find you and your mom.” Mr. Crabb waved back as he approached. “Zack said you would be waiting for him.”

  “Is everything okay?” Heather glanced down at her son with concern. “Are you okay, Zack?”

  Zack looked up at her with big soulful eyes and nodded, even though he looked as if everything was far from okay. “Yeah.”

  Mr. Crabb put his hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Zack didn’t feel well this afternoon.”

  “I see. Do you feel better now, Zack?” Heather hunkered down next to her son and made direct eye contact as she spoke.

  “Yeah.” He reached out and took a tendril of her hair between his finger and thumb and then coiled it around his index finger. Zack had always had a fascination with her long blonde hair since he was a baby.

  “Zack felt okay until our afternoon art lesson.” Mr. Crabb let the meaning of his words hang in the air. “He had a tummy ache.”

  Heather reached out and took hold of Zack’s free hand. “Is your tummy feeling better now?”

  “Yeah.” Zack dragged his eyes away from hers and looked out across the school sports field.

  Heather pushed herself to a standing position and ground her back teeth together as she willed herself not to cry. “I’ll have a chat with Zack and see why he felt sick.”

  “That would be great,” Mr. Crabb replied. “And if there is anything you need to talk over, I’m here to help. I understand what a big upheaval moving to a new town can be.”

  Not to mention your parents getting a divorce, Heather mentally filled in the rest of the conversation. Although that was just the voice inside her head sending her on a guilt trip.

  “Thanks. It’s good to know I can talk to one of Zack’s teachers if there is a problem.” Heather held her children’s hands, trying not to cling on to them as if they might get swept away out to sea at any moment. “Come on, let’s get home.”

  The responsibility of being a single parent hit her like a freight train as they walked toward the car. This was all her fault. She was the one who had pulled them out of school and brought them to Bear Creek. She’d promised them a better life.

  Heather chastised herself for laying the blame for the move on her shoulders. It was Andy who had cheated. He was the one who had destroyed their family. He was the one who was inflexible and had wanted everything on his terms. An open marriage. That was his suggestion when she offered to work things out.

  As soon as he said those words, she knew they were doomed. She couldn’t live with a man who wanted to be with someone else. Or lots of someone elses.

  “Can we get ice cream on the way home?” Zack asked.

  “I thought you had a tummy ache?” Bella retorted.

  “We can get ice cream.” Heather unlocked the car and helped the children put their backpacks in the trunk before they climbed into their seats. After a quick check to make sure their seatbelts were secure, she drove to the main street that wound through Bear Creek and parked the car close to the diner where they sold the best ice cream in town.

  You didn’t have to live in Bear Creek long before rumor reached you that Betsy served the most delicious flavors of ice cream for miles.

  “Hi, Betsy,” Heather greeted the diner owner. She’d spoken to the good-natured, if very nosy, Betsy a few times. Betsy had offered to hang a flyer in the window advertising the opening of the craft barn. She’d also offered to bake cakes and set up a refreshment stall, with all profits going to a small local charity for underprivileged children.

  “Hi there, kids. How are we all doing?” Betsy looked at each of them in turn, her eyes lingering on Zack as he stared at the ice cream flavors. “Little man looks as if he needs cheering up.”

  “Zack had a tummy ache earlier, but we think some of your cold ice cream might help him feel better,” Heather told Betsy.

  “It also helps lubricate the tongue.” Betsy nodded knowingly at Heather.

  “I sure hope so.” Heather placed her hand on Zack’s shoulder. “What flavor do you want, Zack?”

  “Chocolate chip, please,” Zack answered, running his tongue along his bottom lip as he watched Betsy pick up the rounded ice cream scoop and plunge it into the frozen treat.

  “Good choice,” Betsy crooned as she picked up a crisp waffle cone and pushed a couple of scoops into it. “There you go, Zack.”

  “Thanks.” Zack accepted the cone, looking happier already.

  “May I have a Strawberry Delight?” Bella asked in her most polite voice. Bella liked Betsy a lot. The diner owner had taken a special shine to the children and Bella sensed it and was always on her best behavior. Not that Bella was ever not on her best behavior, Heather mused as she dug in her purse for her wallet and paid for the ice cream.

  Since the breakdown of her parents’ marriage, Bella had worked hard to create as little friction as possible for Heather. She never made a mess, never answered back, never created even the smallest of ripples if she could avoid it.

  As Heather walked to a table near the diner window with her children in tow, she realized the divorce and move had affected both her children in different ways. But Bear Creek was a new beginning for them all and once the craft barn was open and running smoothly, she would figure out how to find a new normal life for them all.

  “So, what about art?” Heather asked as Zack flicked his tongue over the ice cream.

  He paused and glanced out of the window. “I don’t like art, I never have. It’s for losers. Who wants to draw a picture? What’s the point?”

  “The point is people enjoy looking at art. It’s a way of expressing ourselves.” Heather licked her own ice cream, which was a zesty lemon flavor, refreshing and tangy, which made her mouth water. “Are you saying Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunty Rosemary are losers?”

  “That’s different,” Zack insisted.

  “Why is it different?” Heather asked. “You enjoy watching Grandma paint and you love the vase Aunt Rosemary gave us as a moving in gift.”

  “I want to concentrate on my studies.” Zack avoided his mom’s surprised look.

  “You can do both. Your mind works much better if you give it a break from studying too hard.” Heather decided to let it go as Zack shrugged and stared at the mountain through the diner window. It seemed Andy’s views and influences had followed them to Bear Creek.

  Next time she spoke to her ex-husband, she would ask him to encourage Zack to participate in artistic activities. Although, she doubted he would carry out her wishes. That man was too set in his ways.

  As they ate in silence, Heather’s mind drifted back to Tad Harrison. What kind of man was he? What kind of father would he be?

  Her heart told her the best kind. But her heart had been wrong before.

  Chapter Five – Tad

  Shaking off the need to stand and stare at the spot where Heather’s car had disappeared around the bend in the road, Tad turned his back and sauntered back to his workshop. Luckily Milly still slept peacefully in her makeshift crib, unaware of the life-changing event that had occurred in one of her fathers’ lives.

  He’d met his mate. It seemed almost impossible and part of him wanted to pinch himself and check that it wasn’t a dream. But she was real. Heather’s scent hung on the air, lingering on the breeze that tickled the hairs on his arms. His skin raised in goosebumps as th
e magnitude of the moment hit him.

  He’d met his mate.

  After being a bachelor for so long, he’d given up hope. And when Max met Josephine, he and Jake had secretly both believed their brother would be the only chosen one out of the three Harrison brothers. That fate had smiled on Max, who was a good man, who risked his life on the mountain each and every day. And they were both okay with that.

  We were not okay with it, his bear reminded him.

  We accepted it, Tad answered. But his bear was right, seeing Max with Josephine, seeing their love blossom and grow, had left the two bachelor bears in no doubt of what exactly was missing from their own lives.

  It is no longer missing, his bear reminded him. It was as if the last piece of a puzzle had been completed. They were whole.

  Hey, don’t get too far ahead of yourself, Tad reminded his bear. Just because we have met her, doesn’t mean she is ours. Heather obviously had someplace she needed to be. What if she has a boyfriend or a husband?

  Tad hadn’t thought of that. But surely fate couldn’t be so cruel as to allow him to meet his mate and then find she is unobtainable.

  You make her sound like a vase, his bear commented.

  Tad grinned. Heather is certainly not a vase. Or if she were, she would be the rarest, most expensive vase in the world.

  He lifted his head. A car was approaching.

  They’re back. His bear’s heart swelled with love and excitement and a small cry from the workshop told him little Milly had sensed the approached of Max and Josephine.

  Tad quickened his pace, entered the dimly lit studio and switched off the lamp he used to illuminate his sculptures as he worked. Swinging around, he crossed the room to the dresser and hunkered down next to Milly who lay looking up at him with the clearest eyes he’d ever seen.

  “Hi there, sweet pea. Shall we go and meet Max and Josephine? I bet they can’t wait to see you.” He slipped his hands gently under her body and lifted her up into his arms. She squirmed as she stretched and then rested her head on his shoulder. This was one of Tad’s favorite times, when Milly was quiet and still. The love contained in his heart for this special baby was almost too much to hold in, he wanted to burst into song and tell the world how incredible it was to be a parent, to be the guardian and protector of a child.