by Liv Brywood
Tucker lay on his back in a makeshift crib near the warmth of the fireplace. Tomorrow Kade would work on a proper crib. Although he’d considered purchasing one from Rusty’s, he preferred the idea of making one from scratch. He had plenty of cured wood in the shed behind the house. If he got an early enough start, he could design and build one in a day.
After packing up the Monopoly game, he took a seat on the couch. His eyelids grew heavy. He tried to fight to stay awake, but eventually, he fell into a deep sleep.
Hours later, Tucker’s tiny cries jolted Kade awake. He tossed off the blanket laying across his body. As he swung his legs toward the floor, Emily stepped into view.
“Go back to sleep,” she whispered. “I’ll give him a bottle. His diaper’s dry, so I think he’s just hungry.”
“I should do that.”
“No. You need to sleep. Take the bed. I’ll stay out here and watch Tucker.”
“Are you sure?” He scrubbed his hand across his face. As much as he wanted to take her up on her offer, he didn’t want her to think he wasn’t capable of taking care of his son.
“I helped my sister with her baby the first few months so she could get some sleep. As soon as we can get the replacement part for my car, I’m leaving. Let me help you while I’m here.”
“Oh.” His heart dropped into his stomach. “Right.”
Tucker fisted his hands as he let out another loud wail. Emily scooped him into her arms and rocked him as she carried him into the kitchen. She set him on a blanket on the counter while she prepared his bottle. Kade watched for a moment before heading into the bedroom. He closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed. He leaned forward and placed his face in his hands. He’d messed up any chance he’d had with her years ago. One night of handsy pleasure wasn’t going to undo the hurt he’d caused her. But what would? He didn’t know how to change anything, but he had to try something. He couldn’t let Emily walk away a second time.
Exhaustion jumbled his thoughts. He couldn’t puzzle it out tonight, but maybe tomorrow after a good night’s sleep.
He tossed and turned for hours, finally falling asleep just before dawn. When he woke, the sun sat high in the sky. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Noon!
After throwing off the blankets, he rushed into the living room. Emily lay on the couch with Tucker in her arms. She played with his tiny toes.
“This little piggy went to the market. This little piggy came home. And this little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home.”
Tucker giggled. A tiny bubble of drool formed on the corner of his mouth. Emily popped it with her fingernail.
“Hey there sleepyhead.” She smiled. Apparently whatever had been bothering her last night had been resolved.
“I’m sorry I slept so late.”
“You needed it. I called Amos Towing and Repair. He’s sending a tow truck up to get my car. He said he can take an old part from a used carburetor while we wait for a new part. He should be here any minute.”
Disappointment coursed through him. Even though he was happy she’d be able to drive her car, he selfishly wanted her to be trapped with him a few more days.
“Can I at least make you breakfast before you go?” he asked.
“I already ate… but, I’ll take a raincheck.”
“Are you okay about… last night?” He cupped the back of his neck and rubbed away the building tension.
“I’m sorry about the crying. I don’t know what came over me.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me,” she snapped before softening her tone. “We got carried away. It happens.” The rumble of the tow truck stole her attention. “I should go meet him.”
As she handed Tucker to him, Kade couldn’t stop a rush of longing. He wanted to take Emily into his arms and confess everything he still felt for her. Even though she didn’t want to talk about last night, he did. It wasn’t just casual sex for him, it was about giving her as much pleasure as he could, without expecting anything in return.
Amos Watkins knocked on the door. Emily hurried to answer it.
“Hi Emily. Kade.” Amos nodded at him. His gaze dropped to the baby and his brows furrowed. “I brought the part and the tow truck. Either way I’ll get you back on the road.”
“Thank you,” Emily said. “I’m parked right outside.”
Kade stayed inside. He stood at the kitchen window and watched Emily and Amos talking and laughing. Tucker burped. He spit up formula all over the T-shirt Kade had been wearing since the previous day. He stripped it off and tossed it into the laundry room adjacent to the kitchen.
When he returned to the window, Emily and Amos were leaning over her engine with their heads together. A spark of jealousy struck Kade. He wanted to be the one to help her, not Amos. The totally irrational thought vanished when he pictured the way Amos looked at his wife of thirty-five years. He’d never stray, and Emily wouldn’t look at a man twice her age as anything other than a friend.
He checked Tucker’s diaper. It was slightly damp, but Kade didn’t want to risk diaper rash by leaving it on too long. He changed the diaper with ease. As he affixed the tape at the sides, he silently congratulated himself. This baby stuff wasn’t as hard as he’d imagined. He could handle it alone.
Emily’s car sputtered to life. Kade glanced up in time to catch her waving. He grabbed Tucker and raced toward the front door. He hurried outside, but it was too late. She’d already backed down the driveway toward the main road. Amos followed in his truck.
Kade leaned against the porch railing and sighed. She was gone, for now. But he was determined to find a way to repair their relationship. If she was totally opposed to being with him, wouldn’t she have pulled away last night? She’d tackled him first. He hadn’t initiated anything, but he’d sure as hell completed it. Maybe that’s what he needed to do, find a way to complete their relationship. But how?
As he headed toward the woodshed, he vowed to figure it out. He had all day to work on the crib and he did his best thinking when he was using his hands.
7
Kade was so fixated on filing and sanding every last splinter off of the crib that he didn’t hear the car coming up the road until it was too late. His mother’s dark blue minivan pulled up next to his truck. He set the power sander on the table and pulled off his work gloves.
“Get ready, Tucker. You’re about to meet grandma. Your other grandma. Not the one who tried to take you away in court.”
Tucker cooed and grabbed a fistful of Kade’s shirt. The baby released it and turned to stare at the approaching woman.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Don’t you ‘Hi, Mom me’. How long were you planning on keeping my first grandson a secret?”
Kade sighed. No matter what he said, it would be wrong.
“Aren’t you the cutest little baby in the world? Yes, you are.” His mom gave Tucker’s cheek a light pinch. “Can I hold him?”
“Of course.”
As Kade handed Tucker to his mom, his bear bared his teeth. Although the beast’s territorial attitude couldn’t be seen by his mom, she must have sensed it.
“How’s your bear handling the new arrival?”
“Fine.”
“Have you been able to control your shift?”
“Yes.”
“Who watches him when you shift?”
“I haven’t shifted since I brought him home.”
“Not once?” His mom frowned. “I heard Emily spent the night last night.”
“Her car—how did you even—who told you?”
“I had breakfast at Gino’s. They have a new special. Eggs Benedict with French toast, bacon, and sourdough toast. It’s to die for.”
“The French toast told you about Emily?” He motioned toward the house so they could get out of the cold.
“No. Amos stopped in for coffee before coming to help with Emily’s car. How is she doing? I haven’t seen her in years.”
“S
he’s fine.”
“More than fine from what Sheriff Hannity has to say.”
“Her boss?” His bear leapt to his feet and snarled. Kade tried to discretely rub his chest, but of course his mother noticed.
“Territorial?”
“No. My bear’s just hungry.”
“Right.” His mom laughed, clearly not believing a word.
He held open the front door for her. Once inside, she headed into the kitchen. With her free hand, she grabbed the tea kettle off of the gas stove and carried it to the sink to fill it.
“So, when were you planning on telling me about the baby?”
“I was getting to it.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“And my roof?”
“I haven’t had time to come over.”
“You haven’t made time. It’s not the same thing.” She set the kettle on the stove and turned the flame as high as it would go.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I keep meaning to get to it.”
His mom was the only person with the power to make him feel like a complete ass. He should have gone over to fix the roof, but he was too busy having fun. Hammering new shingles into place wasn’t fun, so he’d been avoiding it.
“I’ll forgive you if you come over and fix the roof this weekend. I’ll even forgive you for keeping my grandbaby from me.”
“You’re in a forgiving mood.”
“Lucky for you.”
She grinned. She hardly ever grinned. What kind of mischief was she up to?
“Anything you want to tell me?” he asked.
“Nope.” A Cheshire cat-like grin spread across her lips. “I might have company this weekend.”
“Who?”
“Sheriff Hannity.”
“You’re dating the sheriff?” Kade’s jaw dropped. Of all the people in the bear clan, he never would have expected her to be interested in the sheriff. “Why?”
“He’s a good man. Smart, funny, sexy—”
“Ew.” Kade’s face scrunched up. “I don’t need details.”
“Good, because I wasn’t going to give any. Now, tell me about how you ended up with a baby.”
As he relayed the story to his mom, she stopped him to ask questions. When he finished, she nodded thoughtfully.
“I wish you’d called me right away,” she said.
“I didn’t think you’d speak to me.”
“No matter how mad I get, you’ll always be my baby. Where are you going to put Tucker when you go to work?”
“I’m not sure yet. I need to find a babysitter.”
“Bring him to my house.”
“Are you sure?” Relief flooded him. He sat down hard in a kitchen chair. “Mom, I’m sorry I haven’t been around. Things have been…”
“Don’t try to come up with excuses. We’re long past that. Now that you have a child, you need to grow up. No more running around getting into brawls with other bears. No more drinking and carousing.”
“Carousing?” He arched a brow.
“Sleeping with anything that moves.”
“Stop.” Heat flooded his face. They weren’t having this conversation. “I’m not going to the bar anymore. Judge Franklin banned me from buying alcohol for 90 days. Last night, I poured all of the booze in my house down the drain.”
“Emily’s a good influence.”
“I did it without her help.”
He gnashed his teeth together. Even his own mother didn’t believe he could be a responsible adult. He’d show them.
The kettle whistled. He jumped up to get it. After filling two mugs, he grabbed three black tea bags: one for him and two for his mother. A person could strip paint off a house with the strength of her tea.
“Well, regardless of why you did it, I’m glad you won’t be drinking anymore. It reminds me of… the past. I don’t like thinking about it.” She took a sip before setting the mug down. She dunked the tea bags several times. “Are you and Emily together again?”
“No.”
“Why not? You two were always good together. I never understood why she left.”
“It’s complicated.” He definitely didn’t want to tell her the truth. He’d never hear the end of it.
“Don’t let her slip away this time.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. He had no idea where he stood with Emily, or even if he wanted to stand somewhere with her. She hadn’t lost any of her beauty. She was kind, loving, and sexy as hell, but he had a baby now. Maybe she wouldn’t even be interested in helping him raise another woman’s child. That was a conversation they’d have to have at some point in the future.
“Women don’t want irresponsible men,” his mom said.
“I know that.” He flexed his fingers around his mug. “Why doesn’t anyone believe I can change?”
“I believe in you.”
“You do?” He looked up to find compassion in his mother’s eyes.
“I’ve never lost hope that my little hellion will grow up one day. Maybe having a baby is exactly what you needed.”
“Maybe.”
“Whatever you do, don’t let her get away this time. She’s the only single woman in the clan worth marrying.”
He choked on his tea. “Marrying?”
“Change happens faster than you can imagine. One day you’re in a hellish situation wondering if you’ll ever get out, and the next, you’re free.”
He wasn’t sure if she was talking about his father, or about something else. Regardless, she was right. Five days ago, if someone had told him he’d be an instant dad, he would have laughed in their face, or punched them. But here he was, a daddy bear, responsible for his little cub. He had to make things right in his life. Not only because he needed help with the baby, but also because he missed having his mom and Emily in his life. He was the only one who could fix his life, no one else. It was about time he took action.
* * *
Later that night, Kade rocked Tucker in his crib. As soon as he fell asleep, Kade plopped down on the couch. His bear had been clawing at his chest all day. If he didn’t shift soon, he’d be in trouble. Maybe he should have taken his mom up on her offer to babysit him tonight. He’d only refused because he didn’t want her to think he wasn’t capable of taking care of his son.
A soft knock on the door brought him to his feet.
“Now what?” he grumbled.
He opened the door to find Emily. His bear perked up.
“I hope it’s not too late to stop by.” A soft flush brightened her cheeks.
“No. Not at all.”
He stepped back so she could enter. As she passed, his bear caught a whiff of her scent. The beast roared and jumped so hard that it knocked the wind out of Kade’s lungs.
“Oof!”
“Are you okay?”
“It’s my bear. He’s been growling at me to be let out all day, but I can’t shift with Tucker here. I should have let my mom take him.”
“Your mom offered to babysit? I thought you weren’t on good terms.”
“I’m going to fix her roof this weekend. She says she’ll forgive me if I—” His bear kicked his ribs. “Stop it!”
“Your bear again?”
“Yes. I haven’t shifted in days. He’s getting harder and harder to control.”
“I could watch Tucker. It would give you time to go out and run your bear. An hour in the woods should calm him down.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Of course. I know what it’s like to keep your bear cooped up for too long. Last year, I was on an undercover assignment for a week. Four days into it, I thought my bear was going to rip me apart. I almost shifted in the middle of a meth lab bust. It would have been a total disaster if I hadn’t been able to stuff her back inside.”
“Wow. A meth lab?”
“I was on a task force with the DEA. We took down one of the largest meth labs in Montana.” Pride radiated from her smile. He’d never seen her look so stunning.
“That’s amazing.”
“I have skills you don’t even know about.” She grinned.
“Really?” He took a step forward, completely drawn to her infectious energy. “Like what?”
She tilted her head back to look up at him. A mischievous glint shimmered in her eyes. “Like this.”
She slid her hand behind his head and tugged him down. Her lips glided across his before returning to capture his mouth in a scorching kiss. His bear went crazy, clawing at his flesh hard enough to break skin. While he struggled to stop the shift, he looped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. Her tongue parted his lips, and when it touched his, a shiver of desire shot straight to his cock.
He backed her toward the couch. When they reached it, he pushed her down. He crawled to cover her. After caging her with his hands, he crushed his lips against hers. She moaned and wrapped a leg around his waist. As she arched to press against him, he fumbled with the buttons on her shirt.
“Kade, wait. You’re shifting.”
He held a hand up. Claws burst through the tips of his fingers.
“Oh, shit.”
He stumbled back as his spine snapped and cracked. Fire burned through his bones as they jerked apart. Fur sprouted on his hands. His feet elongated into huge paws. The buttons on his flannel shirt popped off seconds before his chest ripped through the fabric.
As he raced toward the door, his pants ripped. He grabbed the doorknob with his partially formed paw. After jerking the door open, he rushed outside. He landed on the front steps on all fours. His nose formed a snout and the scents of the forest came rushing into his lungs.
He roared and pawed at the snow. When he caught Emily’s scent, he turned toward the cabin. She closed the front door and locked it. Good girl, being around him right now wasn’t safe.
As his bear took over, the animalistic instincts he’d been suppressing burst free. Feral and ready to hunt, he raced into the woods. His paws slammed into soft, undisturbed snow. He ran full speed toward the partially frozen river which bordered his property.
