The cougar stopped, turned around and looked at Kit, and then shifted back into his human form. Kit did the same, feeling more comfortable in town wearing skin, not fur. “It’s about a five-minute walk,” Ollie said. “When we get there, I’ll go in and speak to Louise, and you wait outside. Right?”
Kit got the impression that if he didn’t agree, Ollie would shift back into his cougar and make a run for it. “Whatever you say, Ollie. You know Louise better than me.”
With a nod, Ollie walked through the knee-high snow. It was still early morning, but the town of Bear Creek was coming alive as people began to go about their daily business. The snow wasn’t enough to keep the townsfolk here indoors. There were shouts of hello, and offers of help flying around, as Kit and Ollie reached the main street.
Crossing over, Ollie led Kit down a side street before they reached a newly built apartment building. This is where Ollie stopped. “I’m on the third floor.”
Kit looked up. The third floor was the top floor. The building had not risen above the others in town. One thing he loved about Bear Creek was how the people living here fought to keep it like it always was. It gave the families who had lived here for generations the ability to always feel at home. And any newcomers seemed to like the old-fashioned values the occupants of Bear Creek expressed.
You are sounding like an advertisement for tourism, his bear told him bluntly.
Thanks, I can’t help it, I love this place, Kit told his bear.
As do I, his bear replied with more than a hint of nostalgia.
Kit grinned. Two peas in a pod.
“I’ll wait here, come let me know when I can come up.” Kit wasn’t going to say it. One way or another, Louise really needed to be seen by a healthcare professional. If she wouldn’t see Kit, he was going to enlist the help of Nurse Beth. A friendly female face might just be the answer to getting Louise the help she needed.
“I will.” Ollie gave Kit a searching look.
Kit held up his hands and then pointed to the ground. “Staying right here.”
“Thanks,” Ollie murmured, uncertainty on his face.
“I give you my word, I am not going to barge in.” Kit gave Ollie his best smile of encouragement, saved for kids who needed strength to get through an ordeal.
Ollie nodded and turned away, entering the building through the main entrance, leaving Kit alone with his thoughts. Thoughts that quickly turned to Suzie. What the hell must she think of him? After knowing her for less than twenty-four hours, he had left her holding the baby while he took off into the snow.
Taking out his phone, he decided to message her, just to check in. Yet before he had a chance to send the message, the door of the building was flung open and an ashen-faced Ollie stood before him.
“She’s gone.” Ollie ran his hand through his hair, messing up his man bun.
“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Kit asked.
“Louise is no longer in my apartment,” Ollie replied.
Kit didn’t question if Ollie was telling him the truth. It was obvious from his worried expression and the way his eyes darted along the street, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Storm’s mom.
“Is there anywhere you can think of that she might have gone? Kit asked.
“She doesn’t know anyone else in Bear Creek,” Ollie answered. “Why would she have left?”
“That is what we need to figure out,” Kit answered. He looked up at the sky; there were more snow clouds gathering. They had to act fast, or Louise would be in more danger. The weather was unforgiving, and from what Ollie had said, Louise was unprepared.
He was not going to lose Storm’s mom. But if she truly didn’t want to be found, this might be one promise he wasn’t going to be able to keep.
Chapter Eleven – Suzie
The sound of her phone, notifying Suzie she had received a text from Kit, made her jump guiltily. She’d been dozing in a chair next to the fire, while Storm slept peacefully in her crib. In her half-asleep state, dreams of Kit had invaded her mind.
How could a man she had only just met have such an effect on her? But he did. There was no denying it—from the tips of her hair to the tips of her toes, she wanted Kit. Not only physically, but emotionally.
As she shook off the last tendrils of sleep, which wanted to curl around her brain and pull her back into its pleasurable depths, Suzie got out of her chair and checked on Storm, who had opened her eyes, but wasn’t crying.
“Hello there, beautiful,” Suzie crooned. Storm looked back at her with clear, innocent eyes. She truly was the most content baby Suzie had known. Suzie smiled, remembering how few babies she had known. Really known.
Picking up her phone, Suzie took a look at the text Kit had sent her. Frowning, she hit reply, feeling useless. Louise had left Ollie’s apartment, leaving no note, and no clue as to where she was going.
She didn’t need to be able to hear Kit’s voice to know how worried he was about Louise. Suzie looked across to Storm and tried to figure out what must be going through the young mom’s mind. Leaving her baby was one thing, venturing out in this weather, unprepared and under-dressed, was another.
However, this might just work in their favor. A woman walking the streets alone, with no appropriate warm clothing, would attract attention. All they had to do was ask the right questions. Easy, when there was several feet of snow on the ground, and so much else to do. Of course, the sheriff was going to spare his men to go door to door. Not.
“Oh, Storm, what are we going to do?” Suzie desperately wanted this to be over. Not for her own sake: she was more than happy to spend the days in Kit’s house, and the nights in his bed.
That was not what she meant. Suzie wanted it over for Storm and Louise. She wanted the two of them to be reunited, and for Louise to have a chance to really get to know her daughter before she decided to give her up.
Of course, Suzie hoped that Louise and Storm could get a happy-ever-after together. Not in the traditional sense, but the love between a mother and child was just as magical as that between a man and a woman.
That’s when she got an idea. Fiona. Or more specifically, Fiona’s family of dragons.
I have an idea. That was the brief message Suzie sent back to Kit, before she scrolled through her contacts and found Fiona’s number.
Then she paused. Was it right to bring this to Fiona’s attention and ask for her help? The dragon shifter’s baby was well overdue. Her mate, Harlan, and adopted daughters Sapphi and Ruby might not want to leave Fiona alone to go out into the snow and look for a woman they didn’t know.
Yet they all knew what it was like to need help. Suzie pressed call.
“Hello, Suzie. What’s wrong?” Fiona’s voice asked down the phone.
Suzie was going to ask, does there have to be anything wrong? But she stopped herself. Of course, Fiona would know there was something wrong, Suzie and the dragon shifter did not contact each other for any reason other than work. Their relationship had never evolved past professional to friendship.
“Hi, Fiona, I know you heard about the baby being abandoned.”
“Yes. Is she OK?” Fiona asked, her concern evident. Suzie was always surprised at how much Fiona cared about others, despite her brusque nature.
“Baby is fine. Very healthy.”
“Is she being fostered by Dr. Malvern?” Fiona enquired.
“Yes, he brought her home last night. She’s…”
“Brought her home? Are you with him now?” Fiona cut in.
“No… At least, I am at his house, but he is not here. Which is what I want to talk to you about.”
“You want to talk to me about Dr. Malvern not being at home?” Fiona asked, her interest evident.
“No. Not about him not being at home. About where he is.” Suzie replayed what she was saying back in her head, and grimaced. “I’m sorry, Fiona, I’m not being very clear.”
“Take a deep breath, Suzie, and start again,” Fiona instructed, leaving Suzie wi
th the sense that their job roles really should be reversed. Fiona was so much more together than Suzie. So much more organized. “It’s not as if I have anywhere else to be.”
Suzie hesitated, and then asked, “You aren’t in labor, are you?”
“Regretfully, no. I was being sarcastic.”
Suzie let Fiona’s comment wash over her. The dragon shifter had just reminded Suzie why she had never climbed higher in the department in Social Services. Fiona might excel when it came to organization and placing children with the appropriate foster parents, but she lacked in social skills. To put it bluntly, Fiona could be rude, often without even realizing it.
“OK, here goes.” Suzie took the deep breath Fiona had recommended and started again. “I went to the hospital last night to get the papers signed so that Dr. Malvern could bring Storm home.”
“Which is where you are?” Fiona interjected.
“Yes, which is where I am,” Suzie admitted. There was no point trying to hide the fact that she and Kit were mates. Everyone would know soon enough. Unless she ran out on him, but that wasn’t going to happen. She had gotten used to the idea of being his mate, and liked it. She liked it a whole lot.
“Go on,” Fiona encouraged.
“OK, so I met Dr. Malvern…Kit.” Suzie paused, but Fiona made no comment. “And it turns out we are mates.”
“I’d guessed that much, Suzie,” Fiona said.
“Oh.”
“Congratulations. He’s an incredible man.” Fiona at least sounded sincere, but Suzie found herself wondering whether Fiona would congratulate Kit in the same way.
“He is.” Suzie tried not to let her mind wander back to the man who had spent the night next to her in bed. “I came back with him. To his house last night. The weather was so bad.”
“You do not have to make excuses to me about spending a night with your mate,” Fiona told Suzie.
“I’m not.” Suzie closed her eyes and bit back the words, nothing happened. It was none of Fiona’s business. “The reason I’m calling is about Storm’s mom.”
“Storm?” Fiona asked.
“The baby, we named her Storm, only temporarily of course.” Suzie dug deep and pulled out her confidence, which seemed to have deserted her, she’d done nothing wrong. Well, except for spending the night in the bed of the foster parent connected to one of her cases. “We were followed. A man called Ollie, who is a cougar shifter, followed us. Kit managed to corner him this morning and he told us he knew who Storm’s mother is.”
“Which is why you are home alone?” Fiona said.
“Yes. Only Kit just texted me to say that when they got to Ollie’s apartment, Louise had left.” Suzie’s concern for Louise grew when she looked out of the window and saw the first flakes of snow begin to fall. “She’s out in this weather, and from what Kit says, she hasn’t taken anything with her, so she is likely to freeze.”
“Is she a shifter?” Fiona asked.
“No, Ollie said she’s just a normal girl.”
“I see. Have you told Sheriff Brad? No, he’ll be busy enough.” Fiona answered her own question.
“That’s what I figured. Ollie and Kit are going to try to track her…” Suzie stalled: Was her idea stupid? Would the dragons risk being seen for the sake of one woman?
“You want us to help?” Fiona asked.
“I don’t want you to be in any danger,” Suzie assured Fiona. “But I’m not sure what else to do. They are trying to track her, but it’s starting to snow again.”
“And the tracks will be lost. I’ll talk to Harlan, but I’m sure I know his answer,” Fiona said, her voice not giving away what that answer would be.
“I understand if Harlan says no. We’ll figure something else out.”
“Suzie, Harlan might say no, but my answer is yes. I’ll be with you in ten minutes,” Fiona said.
“Wait, I wasn’t expecting you to go.”
“Are you saying I’m useless because I’m pregnant?” Fiona accused.
“Not useless, but you do have a baby to think about,” Suzie reminded Fiona, as if she needed to.
“Do you think I need reminding?” Fiona said hotly. In the background, Suzie heard another voice, a male voice, and Fiona answered sharply. “Harlan wishes to speak to you.”
Before Suzie had a chance to answer, Harlan spoke, “Hey, Suzie, what can we do for you?”
“There is a young woman who needs our help.” Suzie quickly went over the details.
“OK, the snow is coming down, we have a small window of opportunity where we can fly in the day without being seen. We’ll come down to you. From there Sapphi, Ruby, and I will meet up with Kit. Fiona will remain with you.”
“OK,” Suzie said nervously. “Is Fiona OK with that?”
“Fiona is going to do as she is told,” Harlan said firmly. “Don’t worry, she’s gone off raw meat since she’s been pregnant. She won’t bite.”
Suzie wasn’t convinced, but she would do anything if it meant Kit and Ollie had help finding Louise. Nervous, she texted Kit an update and waited for his reply.
We’re on the main road, heading north. Ollie thinks Louise is trying to leave town. Buses not running xox
OK. I’ll send them your way xox. Suzie looked at the hugs and kisses on the end of her message. Normally she would only include them to a special friend. Kit was a stranger, but she could not deny he was special.
A knock at the door jolted her back to the present. Here she was obsessing over a text message when there was a young woman to be found. Pressing send, she hurried to answer the door, and came face to face with Fiona.
“We are here,” Fiona announced.
“Thanks so much for coming so quickly,” Suzie said. “My, Fiona, you look huge.”
“We are going to have a big baby,” Harlan said excitedly, ushering Fiona into the house. Ruby and Sapphi were waiting outside, still in their dragon forms. Suzie could do nothing but stare for a full minute.
“Suzie?” Fiona’s voice cut through her amazement.
“Yes. OK. Kit and Ollie are on the road heading north out of town.” She passed a piece of paper to Harlan. “Here’s Kit’s cell number. In case you need to speak to him.”
“We’ll fly further out of town, then split up. Ruby and Sapphi will keep searching toward Bear Bluff. I’ll work my way back toward Bear Creek.” Harlan kissed Fiona on the cheek. “Don’t have the baby while I’m gone.”
Fiona huffed at him, but before he left, she reached out for him. “Take care. Of yourself and the girls.”
“You know I will.” He kissed her, and there was no mistaking the love between them. Suzie’s heart ached, and a deep-seated longing awoke. How amazing to have that kind of love in your life.
“Tea?” Suzie offered Fiona after Harlan had left.
“Yes, please.” Fiona waddled into the sitting room, and went straight to the crib where baby Storm was sleeping. “Aren’t you a cutie?”
Suzie put her hand to her mouth, her emotions welling up and threatening to burst out of her. “Thank you, Fiona, for coming.”
Fiona looked up at Suzie, her eyes narrowing. “We will find her.”
“I just want Storm to know her mommy.” Suzie took a long, shuddering breath. “I’ll make the tea.”
Fiona followed Suzie into the kitchen. “This means a lot to you.”
“It does,” Suzie said, filling the kettle and setting it to boil.
“Why?”
Suzie turned to face Fiona. “My mom went through a similar situation.”
“When she had you?” Fiona asked.
“Yes,” Suzie admitted
“You are illegitimate?” Fiona asked, her eyebrow arched, as she asked the question.
“Yes.” Suzie stirred the teacups.
“And your grandparents didn’t approve.”
“No.” Suzie looked out of the window, seeing the snow falling, and imagining what it must have been like to be pregnant and alone. “They didn’t approve of the bo
y she was seeing. They said he was only after one thing. And when she told them she was pregnant, all she got was an I told you so. She left home with nothing.”
“But she didn’t give you up,” Fiona said, with admiration in her voice.
“No, she fought to keep me.” Tears sprung to her eyes, and she wiped them away. “I’m so grateful she didn’t.”
“So am I. Her decision has made you into a woman capable of deep understanding,” Fiona said.
“Careful, Fiona, I might take that as a compliment,” Suzie joked, her smile weak.
“It was meant as one.” Fiona placed her hand on her baby bump. “Family becomes a whole lot more important when you have a new life to think about.”
Suzie nodded. “Louise’s future must have seemed pretty bleak for her to give up her baby.”
“Let’s hope they find her and we can see if we can make it brighter,” Fiona said.
“I’m glad you are here, Fiona.”
Fiona huffed. “Waiting behind with the women and children. Never been my style.” But she smiled, and Suzie caught a glimpse of the woman underneath, the woman who would become a mother very soon.
But please not here, Suzie thought. Fostering a child was one thing, delivering one, a whole other thing she did not need to experience. Not today.
Chapter Twelve – Kit
Kit walked in his human form along the main road out of town, while Ollie paced beside him in his shifted form. It was a stretch of the imagination, but if anyone reported seeing Dr. Malvern walking out of town with a cougar, he would laugh and say it was their imagination, he’d been accompanied by a plain old cat, and the snow must have distorted their view.
Looking up at the big flakes as they fell from the sky, Kit reckoned they would get away with it too, since the snow was coming down as thick as it had last night. Soon the tracks Ollie had been able to pick up, which he swore belonged to Louise, since he’d been able to catch her scent near his apartment, would be gone. That was why the dragons were such a good idea.
Doctor Daddy Bear (Return to Bear Creek Book 8) Page 7
