Read Her Bear To Keep (Second Chance Shifters 5) Online

Authors: Meredith Clarke

Tags: #Paranormal, #Contemporary, #Fiction, #Romance, #Forever Love, #Adult, #Erotic, #Bear Shifter, #Mate, #Supernatural, #Protection, #Bachelor, #Single Woman, #Second Chance, #Childhood Friends, #Crush, #Birthright, #Late Bloomer, #First Shift, #Illness, #Deserved Better, #Search, #Happiness, #Lost Love, #Antics, #Frustration, #Plan, #Stubborn, #Only Woman, #Best Friends To Lovers

Her Bear To Keep (Second Chance Shifters 5) (5 page)

BOOK: Her Bear To Keep (Second Chance Shifters 5)
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Jordan

W
as she overreacting
?

Was she making the wrong decision?

Was she out of her mind?

Those were the questions playing over and over again in Jordan’s mind as she packed up her apartment.

She’d fled Tyson’s house the other morning and had been ignoring his attempts to get a hold of her since.

Jordan understood everything he’d said, and the thought of him not finding someone else and being alone forever broke her heart. It truly did… but the thought of them getting together and him growing to resent her, and the fact that she couldn’t give him the family he desired, was what had her leaving him sexy and sweet, asleep in his bed, and rushing home to begin preparations to move away from Spring Creek.

She had to believe that if she was no longer a part of the equation, Tyson would find someone else, regardless of what he’d said. It was instinctual for him, wasn’t it? The need to procreate? Jordan was sure his baser instincts would take over and he’d eventually settle down.

She
had
to believe that was true…

Dixie had been devastated when Jordan told her that she was moving and would no longer be managing the Luncheonette.

“What if I retire now and allow you to buy me out of the Luncheonette now, rather than in five years like I’d planned?” Dixie had asked.

“Oh, Dixie,” Jordan had said, touched and grief-stricken at the thought of leaving behind everything she’d worked so hard for, as well as leaving the woman who’d been like a mother to her since she was in high school. “It’s not about my job. I love it here, you know that… But if I don’t leave, Tyson will never be able to move on.”

“He’s not going to whether you’re in his face or five states away,” Dixie had argued. “You running away isn’t going to change that.”

Her heart had squeezed at her friend’s censure, but Jordan understood that Dixie just wanted what was best for her, and she believed that included Tyson.

“I’ll keep in touch, I promise.”

Now there she was, surrounded by boxes in the apartment she’d never really adjusted to, getting ready to pack up and move down to Texas, where she’d already been able to land a restaurant management job.

Jordan had been surprised at how quickly she’d landed the job, but decided it was fate stepping in to tell her that she was making the right choice.

She was taping up a box of kitchen supplies when three succinct knocks on her door had her head swinging.

She wasn’t expecting anyone…

Jordan had barely opened the door when her friend, Mia, pushed it the rest of the way and bounded inside, throwing her arms around Jordan and hugging her tightly.

“I missed you so much,” Mia gushed. “I didn’t even get to talk to you at the reception, so I came right over as soon as we got home. Sorry, I didn’t call, but I have so much to tell you and I didn’t think you’d mind.”

Jordan blinked at Mia’s rapid fire sentences, but before she could reply, Mia kept talking.

“The honeymoon was
a-mazing
! The cabin was beautiful. Canada was beautiful. And, Drake and I made love
everywhere
.” Mia giggled, not the slightest bit shy. A plus-sized model in her former life, Mia was tall, curvy, and gorgeous, with long, dark hair and beautiful features. “And I never even got to tell you… I’m
pregnant
!” Jordan’s eyes traveled down to where Mia was cradling the already noticeable baby bump.

How was that possible?

Jordan’s gaze locked on that bump as her friend continued. “Did you know that bear shifters have multiple babies, not just one? There could be three or four in there. I have a doctor’s appointment this week, so hopefully we’ll get to see what’s going on in there,” Mia said with a laugh. “And, look how big I am already! Apparently the gestation time isn’t as long, so I’ll be a mother in less than six months. Can you believe it? I’m nowhere near ready. I’m going to need you to talk me down every time I start to panic, because it kind of freaks Drake out.”

Mia must have noticed that Jordan hadn’t said anything since she’d walked in, because after taking an exaggerated deep breath, Mia said, “Sorry, I know I’m talking a lot. I’m just excited, nervous, and happy to see you. I feel like I have so much to tell you, and I just want to get it all out.”

Jordan’s eyes filled with tears.

She was happy for her friends, she was…

But that didn’t mean she wasn’t dying a little bit inside when faced with the exact reason why she needed to leave.

“Jordan, are you okay?” Mia asked, her voice filling with concern.

Mia turned, finally taking in her surroundings.

She swung back to Jordan and asked, “What’s all this? Are you moving?”

“Uh,” Jordan brought her eyes to Mia’s and crumbled.

Mia’s arms immediately came around her and held her tightly.

“Shhh,” Mia cooed as she patted Jordan’s back, which caused Jordan to laugh through her tears.

“You sound like a mom already,” she managed, before a fresh round of tears started.

Mia let her get it all out before pulling her to the sofa and saying, “Now tell me, what’s going on?”

Jordan told her everything.

About her and Ty’s past. About the cancer and hysterectomy, which led to her leaving him, and about everything that had been happening between them since Mia came to town. She finished with their last few encounters together and the details of her move.

“How long were we gone?” Mia asked, trying to bring some levity to the situation. Then she picked up Jordan’s hand and held it in her own. “I’m so sorry, Jordan. I had no idea how much I was stirring shit up when I came back and threw you guys together at that dinner. If I’d known about your past, I swear I would have been more sensitive.”

“It’s not your fault,” Jordan assured her. “You didn’t know.”

“And I came rolling in here, talking about babies and honeymoons,” Mia added helplessly, her eyes filling with tears. “Sorry. Hormones.”

“Hey, you don’t have to feel bad about being happy. I’m happy
for
you, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to worry about telling me stuff just because you’re worried I’ll get my feelings hurt about stuff that is out of my control.”

Mia squeezed her hand, then asked gently, “But isn’t everything that’s going on with you and Ty now
within
your control?”

Jordan stopped herself from ripping her hand out of Mia’s grasp, even though she really wanted to, instead telling herself that her friend was newly married and in that zone where she wanted everyone to be happy.

“I’ve explained all of that,” she protested.

“I know, Jordan, but weren’t you the one who told me that these shifters mate for life? You
said
it, you
know
it, so why don’t you seem to care?”

Hurt and suddenly very angry, Jordan stood up and crossed to the door.

“I really need to get back to work,” she said to Mia as she opened the door, steeling herself from the hurt that flashed on her friend’s face.

It was better to have Mia leave now than say something that she wouldn’t be able to take back.

That’s what Jordan told herself as Mia walked out the door.

Before Jordan could close it, Mia turned and said softly, “I think you’re making a mistake.”

Jordan nodded her head, acknowledging her friend’s opinion, then shut the door and leaned her forehead against it as she fought back tears.

Tyson

T
y’s
first instinct when he woke up to find Jordan gone after their night together was to go after her and drag her back home where she belonged.

Knowing Jordan, however, he listened to the man instead of the bear, and decided it would be best to give her some space. Their night together had been heavy with emotion and passion, and they’d talked through a lot of stuff.

Ty figured she needed time to sort herself out, so he was giving it to her.

It was a struggle, though, and he’d been throwing himself into work to try and keep his mind and body occupied.

“Tyson.”

Turning toward the hallway where Mika had just walked in, Ty responded, “What’s up, brother?”

“I need you to come with me,” Mika said simply, his face not giving anything away.

Knowing his longtime friend the way he did, Ty got up and gathered his things without answering any questions. Whether Mika needed him for business, something with the clan, or something personal, Tyson knew that he wasn’t one to waste time. That’s why he followed the well-known tracker out of the station and got into Mika’s SUV. No questions asked.

They rode in silence, each deep in thought and comfortable enough with each other to not have to fill time with words.

Ty was wondering if he’d given Jordan enough time, if he should try stopping by the Luncheonette or her apartment when they returned, when Mika cleared his throat.

“I’ve been thinking about your problem… with Jordan,” Mika clarified, turning slightly to look Ty in the eyes. “I’ve heard rumblings of a place for years now… An orphanage of sorts for unwanted shifter kids. I did some digging, asked around, and found out that it’s true. The place exists.”

His eyes widened as the meaning behind Mika’s words penetrated.

An orphanage…

Unwanted shifter kids…

He and Jordan could adopt.

“Where?” Ty asked.

“It’s about two hours from here. I checked it out myself first, to make sure it was legit. I thought you’d like to do the same before deciding if this was something you’d want to discuss with Jordan.”

Mika’s gaze turned back to the road briefly before shifting back to him.

“I hope I didn’t overstep…”

“Shit, Mika, no. I can’t believe you did this, brother. It could be just what Jordan and I need,” Tyson assured his clan mate. “Whether it works out or not, it means the world that you’d do this. Seriously.”

A small smile ghosted across Mika’s lips, then he cleared his throat and schooled his features once again.

“I’d do anything for the clan, you know that.”

“I do, Mika, and I appreciate it.”

They were silent the rest of the drive. Mika didn’t want to draw any more attention to himself, and Ty was lost in thought and possibilities.

“The property starts here,” Mika said suddenly, breaking the silence. “They have over a hundred acres for the kids to run.”

“Who owns it?”

“An older couple. I guess it started about ten years ago with one kid, and it’s grown so much now that they have about eighty. It’s sad, really. I mean, not the place, it’s top notch, but the fact that there are so many shifter kids that have been left behind…”

After about two miles of driving down a long single lane road, the trees broke and a large rambling plantation home stood tall and proud.

“Wow,” Ty muttered, impressed.

“Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction. It’s a great place. Property’s even better. And the owners are really nice. You can tell how much they care.”

They parked in front of the house, and Ty followed Mika up the steps. He could hear the sounds of children inside. Sounds of laughter, arguing, and even some singing. All of which caused Tyson to smile, which was what he was doing when the door opened.

The woman was probably in her early sixties, and tiny compared to the two bears, but seeing the hulking men on her doorstep didn’t intimidate her in the slightest.

“Mika, it’s good to see you again. Is this the friend you were talking about?” she asked, smiling warmly at them both.

“Yes, Mrs. Kline, this is Tyson. Ty, this is Mrs. Kline.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Oh,” she sighed, her grin widening. “A man with manners, that I like. Please, won’t you both come inside, I think Harold is in the kitchen. Probably stealing cookies again.”

“Am not!” a voice shouted from the back of the house, followed by soft, feminine giggles.

They followed the small woman into the kitchen, passing kids reading, kids playing video games, and kids playing quietly on the floor, all of whom watched them walk through with curious and hopeful gazes.

It broke Ty’s heart to think that these kids had all been abandoned, but at the same time, he could already tell that they were lucky to have been taken in by the Kline’s.

They rounded the corner to find a tall, thin older man, whose hand was indeed in the cookie jar, with a four or five-year-old girl sitting on the counter with chocolate smeared all over her face.

“Harold, you’re going to ruin Betsy’s dinner,” Mrs. Kline scolded, and Tyson had to struggle not to laugh at the sight of the five foot nothing woman admonishing her at least six-foot-tall husband.

Mr. Kline had the decency to look sheepish at the reproach, but Ty didn’t miss the wink he gave little Betsy.

“Nah, Glenda, Betsy promised she’d eat all her dinner. Even the peas… Isn’t that right, Betsy?”

Betsy nodded, although she’d lost her grin at the mention of peas.

“Come now, Betsy, you go on and play, while Mr. Harold and I talk to these fine gentlemen, all right?”

“Yes, Ms. Glenda,” the girl said sweetly, then hopped off the counter and scurried out of the room, glancing back quickly before she was gone.

“Harold, you remember Mika,” Mrs. Kline said as she opened the refrigerator. She waited while he and Mika shook hands before adding, “And this is his friend, Tyson.”

“Ty,” Tyson amended as he shook the older man’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, son, please, have a seat.”

They all sat at the large dining room table and Ty saw Mika bite back a grin when Mrs. Kline put a glass of milk and a plate of cookies in front of him.

“So,” she said once they were all settled. “Mika says that you and your mate might be interested in adoption…”

Tyson leaned forward and admitted, “Actually, Ma’am, I never even considered it a possibility until Mika told me about this place today. I’ve never heard of an orphanage for shifters, and even though my mate is human, their orphanages don’t like to place humans in shifter homes.”

When the Kline’s both nodded, Ty continued, “But now that I know you’re here, and that there’s a chance Jordan and I could adopt, I’m… well, I’m…” Ty was surprised to find himself getting emotional. Once he’d regained his composure, he said, “Yes, I’m very interested.”

“Well, we’d have to know that you were both interested, that you’d claimed each other,” Mrs. Kline began, then Mr. Harold added, “And that’s just so we know that the kids are going to a home with parents who are committed for life. We want them to have stability.”

“Of course,” Ty said. “I’ll want to bring Jordan here so she can see the wonderful home you have for herself. How do things typically work?”

“We’ll introduce you to children who have black bears in their lineage. Of course, we have no way of knowing if they’ll ever shift or not, but we always match children with their own animals. Then, you’ll get the opportunity to spend time with them and see if there’s a connection. Now, I know with bears you’re used to having a litter at once, but we won’t tell you how many children to adopt. Whether you connect with one child, or five, that’s totally up to you and your mate. Next, we’ll set up scheduled visitation to see how they fit into your home, your community, your clan. Finally, if everyone agrees that it’s a match, we’ll start adoption proceedings.”

Tyson nodded as he tried to take in everything she was saying. It all made sense, as he’d never want to force a relationship that wasn’t there. That would just be cruel.

“It’s a long process, son,” Mr. Kline added. “And it can be very difficult at times, but I can promise you, it’s worth it in the end.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, how’d you start this place?” he asked.

“Our children are all grown and mated, have been for years,” Mrs. Kline began, “and Harold and I were having a fine time being alone together, but we both agreed that something was missing. Then one day, Harold heard of this young cub who’d been left behind by her pack. We never did find out if it was intentional or not, but no one wanted to raise a child that wasn’t their own, especially one that was a different breed, so we discussed it and decided to take her in ourselves. Word got around, and we started getting calls whenever there was a child of a shifter that had been abandoned for whatever reason… Dead parents, parents who didn’t want a female child, sometimes just lost. We did what we could to find their families if there were any to be found, and if not, we kept them with us. Eventually, we were getting calls from all over the country from people who heard about what we were doing. Some wanted to tell us about children who needed help, while others asked if they could adopt.”

“We didn’t know that one child would turn into hundreds, but we’ve never regretted our decision,” Mr. Kline said. “We’ve placed one hundred and eighty-seven children into happy homes. We keep in touch with all of them.”

“That’s amazing,” Mika said, and Tyson agreed.

“Hopefully, your home will be numbers one eighty-eight, eighty-nine, and ninety,” Mr. Kline added with a wink.

Tyson left with the promise to return, and as he and Mika made their way back to the SUV, Ty turned to his friend and said, “This is more than I can ever repay.”

Mika opened his door, looked at Ty over the top of the vehicle, and replied, “The only repayment I need is to see one or more of
those
kids, laughing in
your
house with you and your woman.”

God, I hoped that happens,
Ty thought, the picture perfect in his head.

BOOK: Her Bear To Keep (Second Chance Shifters 5)
3.78Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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