“Hi there,” Suzie said in her most inoffensive voice. “I have coffee on, and I see there is some bacon in the fridge. How about we all eat?”
“Sounds good, you must be hungry, Ollie.” Kit fetched a pan and set it on the stovetop.
“Have you been out there all night?” Suzie asked.
“No.” Ollie shook his head, his eyes darting around the room. “Where is she?”
“I was just warming a bottle for Storm. Would you like to feed her?” Suzie asked, looking to Kit for acknowledgment he thought it was a good idea.
“Storm?” Ollie asked. “You named her?”
“Temporarily,” Kit interjected. “We couldn’t keep calling her baby.”
“Do you know what her mommy named her?” Suzie asked. He liked the way she kept her voice conversational, with no pressure.
“I don’t know.”
“Have you seen Storm’s mom since she left her baby at the hospital? Is she somewhere safe?” Kit asked. He was trying to piece it all together, but he needed more details.
Ollie didn’t answer, but his eyes flicked to the door. Suzie stepped closer to Ollie and said, “We are concerned about her. That’s all. Sometimes when women give birth, everything can seem OK, but there can be complications.”
“Internal bleeding,” Kit suggested. “If the placenta doesn’t all come away.”
Ollie nodded nervously. “She’s scared. I told her I’d take her to the hospital, but she’s scared she’s going to be in big trouble. She wasn’t thinking straight when she left the baby…”
“That’s understandable. When we are scared, we do the wrong thing for the right reasons,” Kit said. “Do you think I could see her? Check her over.”
“She’ll freak.” Ollie put his head in his hands and shook it, a sob escaping him. “She’s been crying for hours.”
“So you have seen her recently?” Kit asked.
Ollie nodded. “I swear I didn’t know anything. I told her I would help her, but she didn’t tell me, not until it was too late.”
“About leaving Storm?” Suzie asked.
Ollie nodded. “I met her on my way home from work. She was walking on the side of the road, no jacket… She was rambling, so I said I’d take her to the hospital, get her checked out, but she pulled away from me. So I took her home, got her warm. She said about the baby. About how it was better off without her.” He gulped down some air.
“Here, have some coffee.” Kit thrust a cup of hot, sweet, coffee into Ollie’s hand. “This will make you feel better.”
“Thanks,” Ollie accepted the cup, and sipped it slowly. As he did, Suzie caught Kit’s eye, and he knew she was asking herself the same questions.
Was Ollie going to cooperate, and if not, what were they going to do about it?
Kit’s other question was simple—was Storm Ollie’s child, and if so, was the mother his mate?
Chapter Nine – Suzie
Ollie puzzled her. He was young, too young to be a father in most people’s eyes, and yet he was here, in a stranger’s kitchen, facing up to what had happened. However, at the same time, he was reluctant to give them any real information that would help to identify Storm’s mom. Didn’t he realize his misplaced loyalty wasn’t doing anyone any good?
“How long since you left Storm’s mom?” Kit asked, picking up the bottle of formula and testing it to see if it was the correct temperature.
“A couple of hours ago. She was sleeping.” Ollie looked from Kit to Suzie, and then sipped his coffee once more.
“And she looked OK?” Kit asked.
“Yes. I mean, well, she was sleeping,” Ollie repeated.
“Listen, if you aren’t going to tell us where she is, you should get back. I’d like you to keep a close watch over her.” Kit held the bottle of formula in his hand and took a step toward the doorway.
“Wait, I know what this is,” Ollie said, pointing at Kit. “You want me to go so that you can follow me.”
Kit shook his head. “No, I am not going to betray your trust. I won’t follow you, but we are going to look for her. Once the weather clears up, Sheriff Brad will be making a plea for information.”
Ollie’s face paled. “I don’t want to betray her. She said I’m the only one she trusts.”
“Ollie, we really are concerned about Storm’s mom. About her health. Don’t you think she would be happier to have Storm with her? To know she’s safe?” Suzie reached out and put a comforting hand on Ollie’s arm, but the young man jumped as if he’d been burned.
“She said she didn’t want her. That she wasn’t good enough.” Ollie’s eyes were wide, the rims red as if he had been crying too.
“Do you think that’s true?” Suzie asked.
Ollie shook his head. “She won’t listen to me.” He took a big, shuddering breath. “But I’m going to try to convince her.”
“Thank you, Ollie,” Suzie said gently. “She’s lucky to have you as a friend.”
Ollie shrugged and put his cup down on the countertop “If I tell Lou…” He coughed. “If I tell Storm’s mom she’s safe, and take her the blanket, she might change her mind about everything.”
“Ollie,” Suzie said. “Please try to persuade her.”
“She’s a beautiful baby, come see.” Kit walked to the kitchen door, the warmed bottle in his hand.
“I don’t know anything about babies.” Ollie looked young and vulnerable, and Suzie’s heart broke for him. This young man was in an impossible position. If he were older and more experienced in the world, he might have acted differently. Instead, he was wrapped up in honor and loyalty to a friend.
Suzie stopped herself right there. It wasn’t her place to be judgmental. Everyone walked their own path and made their own decisions, and without knowing the reasons Storm’s mom had for thinking her baby was better off without her, Suzie could not pass judgment on Ollie. She had never felt so helpless. Or more determined.
Suzie and Ollie followed Kit to the bedroom. “We really want what’s best for Storm and her mom.” He placed the bottle down on the nightstand and went to the crib, and picked up Storm who was awake, and on the verge of tears. “It’s OK, baby.”
“Is she OK?” Ollie asked, full of concern.
“She’s hungry.” Kit turned around and Ollie stared at the baby. “Here, sit on the bed and I’ll show you how to hold her.”
Ollie looked scared, but did as Kit instructed. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
“You won’t. That’s it.” Kit’s voice was so gentle, so warm and tender as he passed Storm over to Ollie, and Suzie felt a lump of emotion rise in her throat. “There. Now, here’s Storm’s breakfast.”
Kit guided Ollie as he fed the small baby. “She’s so beautiful. And she’s got Louise’s eyes. And nose.”
“Louise must be a pretty girl,” Suzie said. “And you must like her a lot.”
Ollie nodded. “She is beautiful.” His voice held a dreamy quality as if he were mesmerized by the small child in his arms. “And she’s my friend.” He lifted his head and was about to speak, when his mouth clamped shut and he realized he’d said too much.
“It’s OK, Ollie, we are not going to force you to tell us anything. You haven’t betrayed Louise,” Kit spoke gently as if he were trying to soothe a frightened horse. “But both Storm and Louise need your help. And I think you want to help them.”
“I do.” Ollie looked up, and continued. “What should I do?”
“For now, finish feeding Storm. I’m going to cook breakfast, and once we’ve eaten you can take me to Louise. I won’t come in unless you ask me to.” Kit nodded as he spoke, but Ollie tensed and shook his head.
“I can’t do that. I promised.”
“Sometimes we make promises we can’t keep,” Suzie said. “We think we can, and we want to, but it might hurt someone if we don’t tell.”
“She’s scared,” Ollie said.
“I know, but Louise is brave. She went through labor and gave birth to a beautif
ul baby. That must be the scariest thing she’s ever done.” Suzie sat down on the bed next to Ollie. “Can you tell us what she’s scared of so we can try to help?”
“She’s scared she won’t be a good mom. Not because she’s a bad person,” Ollie added quickly, but his eyes never lifted from Storm’s face.
“You are a natural,” Kit said encouragingly. “There, that’s it.”
“Louise was my friend through high school,” Ollie began. “My only true friend. Neither of us ever fit in.”
Suzie watched the young man sitting on the bed she had shared with Kit. The heartbreak in his voice conveyed his love for Louise, but she was certain they were not mates, and Ollie was not the father Storm needed.
“Then her family moved away. If she was older, she would have stayed, she didn’t get along well with her parents.” Ollie paused for breath, and Suzie took a moment to acknowledge that Louise’s story mirrored Suzie’s mom’s. Then Ollie continued, “I got a job, we kept in touch on Facebook for a while, but then she stopped answering my messages.” He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he tried to control his emotions. “I think she met someone. There was one time she messaged me, saying she wished she could turn back the clock. I messaged her back, but then she blocked me.”
“Do you know who she was seeing?” Suzie asked, all too familiar with the way these situations ended. Bad choices and heartbreak. She’d lived with the consequences her whole life. “A name, anything?”
Ollie looked up and shook his head. “She never said, never gave me any details, and since she blocked me, I don’t know who her friends were.” His expression changed to one of guilt. “I should have made more of an effort to keep in touch with her. Then I’d know everything. I could have been there for her.”
“Ollie, you haven’t done anything wrong,” Suzie said gently. She moved to sit next to him on the bed, placing her arm around his shoulders and hugging him, trying to comfort this young man who had found himself wrapped up in a mess that was not of his making.
“It doesn’t feel that way,” Ollie replied.
“I know. You are a good friend to Louise, you picked her up and took her home with you.” Suzie looked up at Kit, who was seated in a chair in the corner of the room. He looked pensive, and she longed to know what he was thinking, if he had any idea of how to handle this situation.
“Is Louise a shifter?” Kit asked suddenly.
“No,” Ollie replied at once. “She isn’t.”
“Was she in love with you, Ollie?” Kit asked, his expression filled with pity.
Ollie nodded and looked back at the baby in his arms. “For so long we talked about our future together. We were stupid, naive, but we figured, since we got along so well, that she would be my mate.”
“And she isn’t?” Kit asked.
“No. I think… We were both disappointed.” Ollie’s voice choked as he sobbed out his next words, “It’s my fault, don’t you see?”
“No, Ollie, it isn’t,” Kit replied firmly. “We don’t get to choose. And you are not responsible for anyone else’s actions.”
“But that’s what drove her away. Into someone else’s bed. All she ever wanted was to feel loved.” He sobbed loudly and cradled Storm in his arms. “She should have been mine. I would have loved them and looked after them.”
“You still can, Ollie. You can be part of Louise and Storm’s life, if you want to be,” Suzie said kindly, but when she looked up at Kit, she realized it would never be that easy. One day Ollie would meet his true mate, and Louise would be left devastated once more.
“I want to do what’s best for them both. I know I can’t be the man Louise wants, or the father Storm needs. But I can be their friend.” Ollie sniffed loudly and Suzie fetched him a tissue. He blew his nose loudly and took a big gulp of air. “I’ll take you back to my place. It’s for the best.”
“Good man,” Kit said, getting up from his chair. “But first, we all need to eat. You look all done in. I’ll cook extra and we can take some back for Louise too.”
Suzie got up, and held out her arms for Storm. “It’s my turn to change her diaper. Unless you want to do it?”
Ollie stood up and placed his lips on the small baby’s head. “I love her already, but I don’t think I’m ready for diapers.”
“I know what you mean,” Suzie said, putting Storm over her shoulder and rubbing her back. She was rewarded with a big burp.
“We’ll leave you two girls alone,” Kit said with a smile that melted Suzie’s heart and made a few other regions of her body heat up too. But there would be time for that later. Right now, they had to focus on Louise and Storm.
And diapers.
Chapter Ten – Kit
Kit had plenty to think about while he made breakfast. Not least of all his mate, who was an incredible woman. They might be bonded for life, but he didn’t need a lifetime to learn that facet of her personality.
“Here.” Kit placed a bacon and egg sandwich down in front of Ollie. “Eat that, and have some more coffee, it will keep you going.”
“I think it will take more than that to get me through today,” Ollie said.
“You’ll be surprised.” Kit sat down opposite Ollie at the table. “Where do you work, Ollie?”
“Over at Bear Creek Honey Beer, the brewery.” Despite his words, Ollie was devouring his food.
“That must be an awesome job.” Kit looked up as Suzie entered the kitchen, with Storm in her arms.
“I believe I have successfully changed a diaper,” Suzie announced. “Took some doing, but we got the hang of it, didn’t we, Storm?”
“Here, I’ll take her while you eat.” Kit stood up and retrieved the sandwich he’d set aside for Suzie. “It’s still warm.”
“Thanks,” Suzie said, exchanging Storm for her breakfast. “So, what is the plan?”
“The snow isn’t going anywhere today,” Kit replied, rocking Storm in his arms. “And neither are you and Storm.”
Suzie looked up at him, her mouth working on her breakfast, while her brain worked over what Kit had said. He hadn’t meant for it to come across as an order, but he wasn’t accepting any arguments. The roads would be treacherous, and he couldn’t bear to think of Suzie, or Storm, getting injured, or worse.
“Are you telling me what to do?” Suzie asked.
“It’s a strong suggestion,” Kit told her. “The roads are bad. I can go with Ollie on foot.”
“On paws, you mean,” Suzie said, glancing at Ollie with concern. “How far do you have to go, Ollie?”
“About five miles, I live in town.” Ollie looked at Kit, and then back to Suzie. “You two are mates?”
“We are, just met,” Kit answered, while Suzie took another bite of her sandwich.
“And you are a shifter, and you aren’t?” Ollie pointed from one to the other.
“Yes. Hey, I’m sorry, Ollie, I never introduced myself, my name is Suzie McLeish. I work for Social Services.”
Ollie’s face dropped, and a haunted expression crossed his face. “Social Services. So you are here to take Storm away?”
“No, I went to the hospital to fill in the paperwork so that Kit could bring her home.”
“I’m a registered foster parent,” Kit explained.
“And a doctor.” Ollie still looked suspicious.
“And a doctor, a pediatrician. Kids are my life.”
“How do you have time for it all?” Ollie asked. “I remember growing up, my mom told me being a mom was a full-time job.”
“He’s like Superman, only for kids,” Suzie said, earning herself a smile from Ollie. “You know how men always think they are better at everything.”
“Yeah.” Ollie finished his breakfast and then wiped his hands on his jeans. “Ready when you are, Doc.”
“Super Doc,” Suzie corrected.
“And I’m all yours,” Kit countered. The mood in the kitchen was lighter, and he liked it. Since he met Suzie, they had been swept away in the seriou
s business of an abandoned baby.
“You two should get a room,” Ollie said, his voice good-humored.
“Later. Come on, Ollie, we should get going,” Kit said, getting up and passing Storm back to Suzie. “Can I leave you to make up some fresh bottles of formula?”
“Sure.” Suzie took Storm in her arms and pulled the blanket she was wrapped in away from her face. “Hear that, little one, you might be seeing your mommy again soon.”
Kit leaned down and murmured in Suzie’s ear, “Thank you. When I get back, I promise we will have some alone time. I want to get to know you.”
Suzie’s cheeks flamed red and she hid her face, not wanting him to see the reaction he drew from her. “I’ll be here waiting,” she promised.
“I’ll let you know how we get on. If Louise agrees to meet me.” Kit brushed his fingertips across the back of her neck, making her tremble. He longed to stay here with her, but he was a doctor, sworn to help those in need, and Louise was in need. Whether she took Storm back or not, Louise needed to be examined.
In the wild she would simply manage, his bear told him as they exited the house.
True, Kit answered. But I’m more concerned with her mental well-being.
His bear sighed. What must she be thinking to give up a child like that?
We should soon find out, Kit replied, as he shifted into his bear.
Ollie ran ahead of him, leading the way down into Bear Creek along trails he knew so well. However, the snow made everything look different: it hid ditches and hedges, made tall trees look stunted and small. At the same time, the world looked fresh and new, as if it was about to be reborn.
The pace was slow. Deep drifts made the way difficult, while patches of ice made some of the trails treacherous. It took an hour to reach the outskirts of Bear Creek, a journey that would normally take him half that time. Once on the fringes of the town, they had a decision to make. Usually, Kit would shift back into his human form and walk the rest of the way, but two legs were going to find it much harder to trek along the streets than four.
Ollie had anticipated this and led Kit along back lanes and through alleys. Every so often the cougar would stop and listen, checking that the path was clear before they moved on. Kit found himself impressed by the young man. Maybe Ollie would be able to talk sense into Louise.
Doctor Daddy Bear (Return to Bear Creek Book 8) Page 6
