Chapter 6
Tuesday
While Tasha watched the cubs, Orrin went to the elementary school building to register Scout and Birdy for kindergarten.
Since they’d had each other all along, the littermates had endured less trauma than some orphans, plus they’d spent the last year adjusting to city life and learning how to communicate and interact with others.
Under Orrin’s care, they would be exposed to formal schooling and the basics of family life before an attempt was made to place them.
Having Griffin and Fort in their class would make school that much easier for the pair, which was one reason they were sent to Bear Creek.
Fortunately, there were a number of shifter teachers and aids at the school who understood the unique needs and behavior patterns of shifter cubs.
They worked closely with Orrin to help the orphans adjust, learn, and grow along with their human classmates, and he was grateful for their compassionate dedication.
Orrin was warmly greeted at the main office and given the proper forms to fill out for their records.
Once that was done, he met one-on-one with Principal Orlanda Shipley to discuss any particular needs or issues the cubs might have, creating a general plan for success.
She assured Orrin that Scout and Birdy would be placed in the same classroom as Griffin and Fort, providing familiar faces and mutual support.
Instead of returning to the Cub House immediately, Orrin took advantage of a rare opportunity to sit quietly by himself and contemplate his personal situation.
Until Kip and Rayn came along, neither he nor his bear had developed parental feelings for any of the cubs under his care.
He’d loved them all equally and rejoiced when they’d found their forever homes somewhere else.
The BSA (Bureau of Shifter Affairs) regulations didn’t forbid their workers from adopting orphans, though they cautioned against showing overt favoritism.
While he had always hoped to have cubs of his own one day, he’d assumed that a mate was a natural prerequisite.
If Kip and Rayn were truly his, as his bear insisted, did it mean solo parenting on top of all his regular duties?
How would that work? Could he strike the right balance between parent and caregiver without causing problems?
The only people who might understand his predicament were his parents.
Wendel and Galina Crosby had been running a private orphan home for shifter cubs since before his birth.
While Orrin didn’t have any true littermates, he’d grown up with several long-term residents that he considered his siblings.
His parents, who weren’t fond of the BSA’s bureaucracy, ran the facility their own way while still cooperating with the agency to occasionally provide services.
Since Orrin had intended to ask them about Rayn’s situation anyway, he may as well kill two birds with one stone and dialed their number. His father picked up after several rings.
“Hello, son. Your mother and I were planning to give you a call later tonight and see how you’re doing with the new cubs.”
“Hey, Dad! I have a couple things I want to run past you and see what you think. One of my new arrivals is a quasi-shifter—a little girl named Rayn. On top of that, Rayn and Kip, our little three and half year old from the last group, are supposedly ‘ours’ , as far as my bear is concerned, and I’m not sure how to handle it. ”
Orrin filled him in on the details, including his presumption that he’d be mated before welcoming a family. His father listened carefully, growling now and again which was his habit when thinking through a problem.
“Well, son, you’ve been handed a hot potato, I must say.
Give me some time to talk this over with your mother and see what she thinks.
In the meantime, I advise you not to say anything to Kip or Rayn, especially around the other cubs.
If Tasha hasn’t figured it out already, you ought to tell her.
She might be able to run interference if things get complicated.
“On the other hand, your heart is as big as a Montana sky, and you’ve got more than enough love to go around.
Those cubs need someone , and if that’s you, then they’re very fortunate.
Kip’s fear will fade over time—he just needs a steady hand and frequent affirmation.
Rayn’s situation is more difficult, but it sounds like you’re on the right track.
Listen and teach gently like you always do, provide plenty of attention, and shower her with love.
“I suppose your bear could be mistaken, but if he insists that Kip and Rayn belong to you, then go along for now without making any commitments. As far as being unmated, I don’t see the problem.
After all, they would always have you, Tasha, and the company of other cubs.
I’ll admit that single parenting isn’t ideal, but as your father, I know you can do it.
Maybe your mate is right around the corner, and you simply haven’t met him yet. ”
Orrin thanked his father for the advice, and they made plans to talk again in a few days.
Mind swirling with conflicting thoughts, he drove back to the Cub House wondering if the mate he wanted might actually show up soon.
Could it be the man he’d scented at the grocery store?
If so, where was he, and when would they meet?
Would he be open to having cubs right off the bat, or was he kidding himself that this particular story had a happy ending?
############
That afternoon, the Red Barn at Shady Lane
Orrin, Tasha, and five of the cubs finished their fun on the skating pond, put the toboggans in the van, and hurried over to the Red Barn to warm up and get a snack.
Gruff’s tuxedo cat, Baxter, intercepted them with yowly greetings, insisting on being petted before taking off for the big old barn—presumably to dispatch more mice.
Zuzu was smitten, and asked if Orrin would get them a cat, too.
While pets were allowed, he and Tasha were busy enough without adding anything else to the mix, and he’d had to gently let her down.
The Red Barn had opened less than two years ago, but was so successful that they had already expanded the building.
It now boasted a larger gift shop and bakery counter, more seating, and a comfy reading nook for the kids.
They trooped inside, stomping extra snow off their boots, and caught Dustin’s attention. He waved and came over to say hello.
“Welcome! It’s great to see everyone. We have some fun things to see in the gift shop today, and freshly made cinnamon rolls to try. Would you like hot cocoa or spiced apple cider with your snack?”
Before Orrin could respond, Zuzu walked up to Dustin with a request. He dropped to one knee, intrigued by the sweet, curly-headed cub he’d never seen before.
“Can Baster come to our house and play?”
Dustin chuckled and winked up at Orrin before answering.
“Oh, do you mean Baxter?”
The girl nodded.
“What’s your name, sweetie?”
“Zuzu. I like Baxter!”
“Well, Zuzu, this is his home, and he’d rather stay here with me and my mate, Gruff, but I have something almost as good right over here.”
Dustin stood, took Zuzu’s hand, and led her into the gift shop, stopping at a display full of Baxter merchandise. Towards the top, he plucked a life-sized plush toy off the shelf and handed it to the girl.
“Would you like to hold him while you’re here?”
She looked up at Orrin for permission.
“What do you say, little one?”
“Thank you.”
By this time, Jillian had brought over a tray with snacks and drinks, and the group all sat down to enjoy them together.
The moment Zuzu was finished, Dustin and Gruff came by to take her on a one-person tour of the building, still clutching her stuffed toy.
It was clear to both Orrin and Tasha that they were enchanted by the little pixie, though it wasn’t a surprise.
They’d expressed an interest in adopting, waiting for the right one or ones to come along, and it looked like they’d found a possible match.
Who knew it would have been facilitated by a cat?
Meanwhile, the rest of the group took a stroll through the gift shop; Scout and Birdy with Tasha, and Kip and Rayn with Orrin—each holding a hand.
At one point, Tasha caught Orrin’s eye and lifted her chin towards the pair of cubs.
He nodded, mouthing the word ‘later,’ and was answered with a wink.
This was uncharted territory for him, and though he’d done nothing wrong, the whole situation left him off-kilter.
He’d speak to Tasha when they had privacy and explain what he could.
When Zuzu was brought back around, it was time to go.
Griffin and Fort would be home from school soon, and they had to be there when they stepped off the bus.
Gruff kneeled down to give Zuzu a thorough scenting and ran a hand through her curly hair.
The girl hadn’t batted an eyelash at his scarred face, which only made her more endearing to the couple.
Dustin hugged her, kissed her forehead, and told her she could keep the Baxter toy.
“Would you like to come and see us again, Zuzu?”
She jumped with excitement.
“Yes! Baxter, too?”
“Of course. I’m sure he’ll want some attention. Maybe next time we can do something fun.”
Orrin used a hand signal to indicate that they should call him, and after paying for their snacks, the group left the building.
On the way home, Zuzu peppered Tasha with questions about Gruff, Dustin, and Baxter.
Being relatively new to Bear Creek herself, she was unable to provide many of the answers, so Zuzu asked the Baxter toy and pretended that he talked back.
Scout and Birdy spoke softly to one another while Kip and Rayn were both snoozing.
Orrin’s mind was busy with an idea that might actually pan out.
He knew of at least two other local couples who were open to adopting, and perhaps the best way to encourage the process was a planned meet and greet.
Some BSA homes had open house days where people could come for a visit and meet the available cubs in person.
Orrin preferred natural meetings, like what had happened today.
Maybe he could adapt the open house idea by inviting one couple at a time for supper or to come along on an outing.
Yes, that sounded much better, and it would avoid awkward explanations and the pressure to choose.
Orrin decided to bring up the idea with Tasha and see what she thought.
After all, wouldn’t it be better if at least some of the cubs he cared for remained in a great place like Bear Creek?
############
Griffin and Fort arrived home with a list of supplies that Scout and Birdy needed for school the next day.
Orrin checked to make sure he already had everything, and Tasha went upstairs with the boys to lay out their clothes and shoes for the morning.
Backpacks were filled with supplies along with an extra T-shirt and pair of shorts in case an accidental shifting ruined their clothing.
Thanks to being a proud mixed community, the school system was careful to include shifter studies, starting with Kindergarten, so that there would be fewer misunderstandings between human and shifter students.
Such early training also tended to shut down the most blatant prejudice and discrimination (usually involving parents), though incidents flared up from time to time despite their best efforts.
Since it was Orrin’s turn to cook supper tonight, he recruited both Kip and Rayn to help him.
They didn’t have an apron in Kip’s size, so Orrin tucked a white dish towel into the waistband of his pants instead.
The little guy was so geeked out by his uniform that he often forgot what he was supposed to be doing.
If Rayn already knew the task, she tried to help him, though with mixed success.
They were both having fun, and Orrin enjoyed having concentrated time with his little ones.
That thought drew him up short— his little ones. Somehow, he’d already slipped into thinking of them as his cubs, and his bear only reinforced it by chiming in with ‘ours.’ He’d already informed Tasha of the growing bond between them, though she hadn’t been surprised at all.
“Mama bears have that kind of attachment with every litter, and you have such an affinity for cubs that it seems natural for you and your bear to have a similar connection. I think it’s wonderful, and you’ll be a terrific dad. All we have to do is prevent the others from feeling left out.”
While they were busy in the kitchen, Tasha had run out to the curb to collect the day’s mail. Before the other cubs started helping set the table, she brought a single cardboard flyer into the kitchen for Orrin to see.
“Look at this. The new doctor in town is opening up his practice. I swear I’ve seen his face before, but I can’t place it. He’s certainly attractive.”
Orrin turned away from the pot of beef stew he was stirring to take a quick look—and froze.
It was him! The muscular blond man at the grocery store.
Eyes wide and heart pounding, he snatched the flyer from Tasha’s hand and stared at the photo of Dr. Zachary Hall, D.O.
For some reason, his bear automatically connected the fantastic scent he’d picked up that day with the face on the flyer, but how could he know for sure?
Orrin’s aroused pheromones had alerted Tasha.
Eyes narrowed in concentration, the memory came back to her in a flash, and she put the pieces together.
Orrin clearly had it bad for the guy, and she wondered if it meant simple attraction or a mate situation.
After all, it’s not as though he could waltz into the medical clinic and corner the new doc for a good scenting.
“Are you okay, Orrin? I can finish supper if you need a minute to think.”
Without a word, he nodded gratefully, patted Kip and Rayn on the head, and hurried to his private quarters for a breather.
He couldn’t deny the possibility that the unique and heart-pounding scent he’d detected at the store might belong to the blond stranger he’d seen exiting the building.
He’d need a closer encounter with the man to know for certain, but if he had interpreted the scent correctly, it belonged to another quasi-shifter like Rayn.
The man in the photo didn’t have classic shifter features—and he wouldn’t, if the scent truly was his.
Orrin’s bear growled at his human half’s hesitation and chimed in with his own advice to find him.
If only it were that simple.