Chapter 16
Friday afternoon
While Tasha held down the fort, Orrin drove the sedan to Delicious to pick up treats for the little ones.
It might also be an ideal time to speak to Aiden, if he was working today.
With Toby, Leo, and Serena running things now, Aiden had finally started working less and spending more time with his mate.
As luck would have it, the man was at the counter when he stepped into the warm, fragrant shop—all decked out for Valentines Day with hearts and cupids.
In the past he’d had no particular reason to acknowledge the holiday, but this year he did, and ideas began queuing up in his head.
Orrin waited patiently, looking over the seasonal offerings as Aiden and Serena helped other customers.
There were always new confections on display, providing a creative outlet for Aiden and giving customers something different to taste and purchase.
Orrin found himself staring at a lovely display of two overlapping heart-shaped chocolates, joined in the middle with a red candy bow.
Aiden’s greeting snapped him out of his sweet-induced stupor.
“Hi, Orrin! We’ve got your order of Bear Snax and Nut Bombs ready to go, but can I get you something else from the case?”
Orrin blushed, caught salivating over the Valentines candies.
“These look very nice. Can I get a small gift box?”
Aiden grinned, wondering who the intended recipient might be, and happy that the sweet guy might have finally found someone special.
“Sure. These are made with the finest criollo cocoa powder and come six in a box with a little gift tag on the lid. How many would you like?”
Orrin leaned closer to the display case, growling at the delectable treats.
“Just one, thanks. May I try a sample?”
Aiden nodded, pointing at each variety as he spoke.
“I have milk, dark, caramel, mint, raspberry, and cherry.”
Orrin chose a dark chocolate sample, nibbling on the candy while Aiden filled the fancy-looking box and placed it in a bag with his other items. A contented purr rumbled softly in the now-empty shop as Orrin’s sharp senses detected a fuller, richer flavor.
“Yum. I’ve never tried any of the criollo chocolates before, but I can sure taste the difference. I bet Zak will love these!”
Uh oh. Orrin’s slip of the tongue had revealed who he was buying them for, and both Aiden and Serena looked up in surprise to find his face beet-red.
Thankfully, they didn’t say anything, and Orrin hurried to pay for his purchases without acknowledging the gaff.
Flustered, he grabbed the bag and had his hand on the door before remembering that he’d wanted to talk to Aiden.
Feeling like a fool, he turned around and approached the man once more.
“If you have a few minutes, could I speak with you in private?”
The request was unusual, and Aiden wondered if it had something to do with Doctor Hall.
“Of course. Toby should be back any minute, so let’s meet in my office. Go around back and knock on the first door.”
Orrin drove around behind the building and was escorted through the employee entrance in a matter of minutes.
Aiden’s office was small, neat, and had a window that overlooked the adjacent production floor.
He offered Orrin a seat and was handed a manilla folder.
Inside, he found photos of two cubs along with some printed information about them.
Orrin began explaining before Aiden could ask.
“The one waving at the camera is Griffin, and the other is Fort. The boys have been together since before the BSA found them, and they were transferred here last fall. Based on what you’ve told me, I think the pair are an ideal match for you and Dash.
I know you were initially interested in a single cub, but these two are as close as littermates and need to stay together.
They’re both smart, cooperative, do well in school, and have quickly adjusted to city life.
I wanted to bring the boys to your attention and see what you and Dash think about the possibility of adopting them. ”
Orrin sat quietly, allowing Aiden to scan the information and think for a minute without feeling pressured.
This wasn’t a decision he could make lightly or by himself, nor should it be, but the idea had to be introduced to get things moving.
Aiden’s scent revealed sympathy, interest, and some fear.
He studied the photos closely, and then lay them down with a small smile on his face.
“They’re adorable . I have a hard time understanding what they’ve been through, but there’s no doubt they need a stable, loving home.
One thing that comes to mind is how we’ll manage the whole school routine, given the odd work schedules Dash and I have.
We’ve been talking about hiring a housekeeper to clean and make meals so the two of us can spend more time together, but if we found someone who was good with kids too… ”
Orrin wasn’t opposed to the idea, but he did have a suggestion.
“I think the boys would be fine with that, though I believe an older, female shifter would be ideal for the position. She’d have to be carefully vetted, of course, but the BSA can help with that if you need it.
Since I know the boys better than anyone, I’d be happy to interview your prospective housekeepers as well. ”
Aiden looked relieved.
“Would you? It’s such an important step and we don’t want to mess things up by making a poor choice. Obviously, I need to talk this over with Dash first, but assuming he’s agreeable, what’s our next step?”
Orrin was happy to hear that there was at least a chance for the boys.
“You’ll want to meet them, of course, and see if there’s any connection or interest. A group meal at the Cub House or a fun activity could be arranged.
If it goes well, then the boys can spend some time alone with you and Dash—get a taste for what your lives are like and where they would live.
No promises made at that point, but it usually doesn’t take long to sense if you’re moving in the right direction.
Dash will be able to monitor their scents and tell you a lot about what the boys are feeling, even if they don’t say anything. ”
Aiden liked what he was hearing.
“That all sounds doable. It’s a coincidence, I’m sure, but Dustin Cunningham was in the shop earlier today saying he and Gruff were seriously thinking about adopting Zuzu.
He also said he’d been comparing notes with Knox McCoy, and I guess he and Levi are going to meet a pair of littermates tomorrow. Has something changed all of a sudden?”
Both men chuckled, and while Orrin wouldn’t normally be sharing such information, the genie was clearly out of the bottle.
“I don’t think so, but I guess when things fall into place you just have to run with it.
I’ve never had a situation like this because all of my previous cubs went to homes out of the area.
Between you and me, I plan to adopt Kip and Rayn—maybe with Zak, if things go well.
It would actually be a good thing if the group I have all stayed in Bear Creek.
The cubs already know one another and the town, and they’d have friends and classmates nearby.
Sparing them another major move, along with adapting to a new family, would go a long way towards helping them settle in and feel connected right from the start.
I realize it may not work out that way, but I’m hopeful. ”
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Later that evening
Though Aiden had been on tenterhooks all day, he knew it was best to welcome Dash home and feed him before mentioning the cubs. A bit of snuggling after supper certainly wouldn’t hurt either, and with a content and purring mate in his lap, Aiden broached the subject.
“Orrin Crosby came to see me today. He has a couple of cubs that might work for us.”
Dash’s head snapped up so he could look Aiden in the eye.
“Really? Two of them? What else did he say?”
Aiden reached over to snag the folder he’d strategically left on the side table and opened it up.
“This is Griffin and Fort. Both are about five years old and are in kindergarten at the elementary school. I know we talked about adopting a single cub, but Orrin says these two need to stay together, even though they aren’t littermates. Aren’t they the cutest little shavers you’ve ever seen?”
Dash’s excitement was obvious as he got all growly examining their photos and then scanned through the first page of the summary.
He and his first mate hadn’t gotten around to starting a family before Harv died, and Dash didn’t want to wait any longer now that the Pocono Ridge Resort and Delicious were doing well and needed less of their attention.
“What sweet boys—they remind me of my nephews. Two is probably better because cubs need someone to play with besides their parents. Does the BSA know where they’re from?”
Aiden flipped to the biography page so Dash could read it for himself.
He’d found it sad and upsetting, but he knew the real reason why there were so many orphans.
Natural bear cubs were driven away by their sow around eighteen months after birth, forcing them to leave their mother and strike out on their own.
Some female shifters, unable to fight their ursine instincts, did the same thing—resulting in abandoned cubs who needed homes.
The report Orrin had given them was a dispassionate summary provided by the BSA field office, reflecting only the bare facts.
Discovery location—Shohola Falls Reservoir, Pike County, PA.
Age—approximately three years when found.
Littermates—none known.
Sows—identity and location unknown.
Physical condition—generally good, but signs of malnourishment.
Assigned BSA facility—Stroudsburg for initial assessment and training, then Bear Creek.
Assigned names—Cub #1, Griffin . Cub #2, Fort .