Chapter Six – Buck

“Over to the left a little.” Marie directed Buck toward the camping gear in the attic. “That’s it, there.”

He stood with his hands on his hips, before pointing to a nondescript black canvas bag. “It’s in there?”

“Yes, the tent wouldn’t fit back in the bag, so Rhett used that one.” Marie came to join him. “What are you waiting for?”

Buck looked down at his young taskmaster and leaned forward, grabbing hold of the handles of the bag. It snagged on another box, and he pulled harder to free it. It came away suddenly and he was forced to let go of the bag as he overbalanced. Buck waved his arms around in an attempt to steady himself, which made both girls collapse into laughter.

“You look like a windmill,” Alicia said from the other side of the attic where she was dragging out the sleeping bags and mattresses, ready for their campout.

Buck grinned as he regained his balance. “Thanks for your concern.”

“You’re welcome,” Alicia said, dragging her prize back toward the attic door.

Buck leaned forward and grabbed ahold of the bag, pulling it toward him once more. This time the bag came away freely and he placed it down by his feet as Marie pointed in the same direction and said, “That bag has the tent poles in it. And that one has another tent.”

“We’re having two?” Buck asked, reaching for and grabbing the next two bags.

“One for boys and one for girls,” Marie said.

“Okay.” Buck, loaded up with the three bags, made his way carefully across the attic. “Is this everything?”

“Yes, I think so,” Marie said, a serious expression on her face as she assessed the tents, sleeping bags and mattresses.

“Then let’s go.” Buck went first, carrying the tents, while the girls came down the stairs behind him, carrying whatever they could manage. When they got to the bottom they dumped their load and then scampered back up the stairs to fetch the rest.

“Stage one complete!” Marie’s excitement, which was incredibly contagious, grew further.

“How many stages are there?” Alicia asked as they stood looking at their haul.

“Five,” Marie said matter-of-factly.

“There you are.” Rhett appeared at the top of the stairs and strode along the hallway. Despite his red-rimmed eyes, he appeared happier. “Need a hand?”

“Yes, please,” Marie said.

“Are you okay?” Alicia asked with concern as she studied his face.

Rhett smiled weakly, his breath shuddering through his body. “I am now.”

“Good, because you need to show us how to put the tents up,” Alicia said, not pressing for any more information now that she knew he was okay.

They each grabbed what they could carry and took the camping gear downstairs and out into the yard. When it was all stacked neatly outside the kitchen door, Marie said, “Stage Two complete.”

“What’s the next stage?” Buck asked as Haley, Tiana and Mason came out to join them.

“We have to pitch the tents.” Marie pointed to a level area of the lawn. “Just there.”

“Let’s do it!” Haley grabbed one of the tent bags and picked it up with both hands. “That is heavier than it looks.”

“Want me to carry it?” Buck offered.

“Nope, I have it covered.” She half carried, half dragged it, while Mason picked up another of the bags and Buck carried the third. In no time the gear was spread out across the lawn and assembly began.

“That goes there,” Rhett said as he organized the group. They all worked hard. Buck was impressed by their communication skills and ability to work as a team. He shook his head ruefully. He was looking at them as if they were one of his construction teams.

“You all work well together,” Buck made the comment to Haley as they all grabbed a guide rope and began hammering tent pegs.

“We’ve been a strong collective for a while,” she informed him. “We’re both close to our kids, but our kids are close to each other, too. Rhett’s a star, he’s looked after the girls while I’ve worked, selflessly helped them with their homework when I had no clue.”

Haley stood back and looked at the newly erected tents as Marie said, “Stage Three complete.”

“What’s Stage Four?” Rhett asked as he accepted a drink of cold lemonade from Tiana.

“We have to get all the bedding inside, and all our stuff.” Marie began dragging the sleeping bags into the tents.

“And Stage Five?” Tiana asked.

“We sleep in them!” Marie’s face glowed with happiness, which was reflected in every person’s face.

“I never knew setting up a tent could be so much fun,” Buck confided in Haley as the adults retired toward the house to watch the kids play and finish off their camp.

“Didn’t you ever do this kind of thing as a kid?” Haley asked, leaning on his arm as they sat side by side on the grass.

He thought for a moment. “No, tents were not my parents’ thing. They preferred hotels and lodges. Roughing it was their idea of hell. But I’ve gotta say, I think they were wrong.”

“So you’ve never slept in a tent?” Haley asked in shock.

“Nope.” He shook his head and her eyes lit up with merriment.

“I’ve decided where we’re going to sleep tonight.” She grinned and turned around to face Tiana. “You have another tent, right?”

“Yes, it’s an old one and I don’t know if it leaks.”

“That’s okay, there’s no rain forecast for tonight.” Haley’s expression challenged him. “Are you game?” She pointed to the other end of the yard. “We could camp down here, so we don’t crash the kids’ campout.”

“This is a day of firsts.” Buck liked the idea of sleeping under the stars with Haley. Hell, he liked the idea of sleeping anywhere with Haley. Or not sleeping…

“You accept my challenge?” Haley asked.

“I do.” Buck grinned. “Do I have to put the tent up, too?”

“Yes, it’s a rite of passage,” Rhett said, patting Buck on the back. “But since we’ll be working together, I’ll give you a hand.”

“Thanks, Rhett.” Buck glanced at Mason who was laughing. “Can I persuade you to join us?”

“Oh no, I have to look after my very pregnant wife.” He slid his arm around Tiana’s shoulders.

“Now you’re using me as an excuse?” she asked in mock offense. “You won’t be sleeping in a tent, you’ll be sleeping in the doghouse.”

Mason rolled his eyes. “See what trouble you’ve gotten me into?”

“You can redeem yourself by having everything set up and organized while Haley and I are at work,” Tiana told her husband.

Haley looked at her watch and her eyes grew large. “I didn’t know it was that time.”

“You two go get ready, we can handle it from here,” Mason told his wife.

“I should hope so; three grown men should be able to set up a camp.” Tiana kissed Mason’s lips. “Thank you.”

Mason stroked her cheek. “Are you sure you are all right to work?”

“I’m pregnant, not ill.” She kissed him again. “But I appreciate your concern.”

“Okay, Alicia, Marie, please behave.” Haley went to her girls and added, “And please keep the boys in order.”

“We will.” Alicia looked happy as she gave her mom and hug. “It’ll be dark when you get home. We’ll make sure your bed is ready and we’ll have hot chocolate around the camp fire.”

“I look forward to it.” Haley hugged Marie. “I love you both.”

“Love you, too,” they chorused as Haley and Tiana went inside the house.

“Okay,” Buck clapped his hands together. “Let’s get this tent set up.”

“We’ll make the beds up in our tents. Once you are ready, we need to collect wood for the fire.” Marie was a good organizer.

“We have wood in the storage shed,” Mason offered.

“Can’t we go into the forest and collect some?” Alicia eyed the trees with longing. “We could see your bears, too.”

Buck and Mason exchanged glances. “All right, if we get the camp set up we can go and collect firewood. Then we’ll show you our bears.”

“Great.” Marie’s face cracked into the widest smile Buck had ever seen.

“Let’s get going.” Rhett accompanied Buck inside, where they went back into the attic and retrieved another tent from underneath a lot of other junk. It hadn’t been used for years but it looked sound. Buck erected it quickly, with some help and supervision from Rhett, and was glad to see the stitching looked good. He didn’t want it to collapse on them during the night.

Although he was more than willing to protect his mate with his body.

“That’s the last guideline,” Rhett said, pulling him out of his daydream.

Buck stood back and looked at the tent, just as Haley and Tiana came out of the house, dressed for work. Haley wore a black pencil skirt and a white blouse; her feet were clad in flat black shoes. He sighed, she looked as sexy as hell. Perhaps he might be able to help her undress when she came home tonight.

He could massage her tired muscles as he removed each item of clothing.

“We are going,” Tiana was saying, her words only just permeating his brain as he stared at Haley, who blushed as she met his eyes. Could she read his mind? Did she imagine the same thing?

“Okay, have a good shift.” Mason didn’t look very happy his wife was going to work. Buck could understand why. He was the protector and the provider. But Mason had told Buck that Tiana had insisted on continuing to work even though he was a millionaire several times over and they didn’t need the money.

Buck wondered if Haley would feel the same way. These two women were used to doing their own thing, paying their own way and being self-sufficient. He’d have to approach the subject with tact and care.

“See you later,” Alicia ducked her head out of the tent she was sharing with Marie.

“See you later, take care of your sister,” Haley called.

Marie’s head appeared next. “We’re going to collect wood and wrangle a bear or two.”

Tiana smothered a laugh as Haley gasped. “You’re going on a bear hunt without me?”

“Do you mind?” Buck asked.

Haley laughed and shook her head. “No. You guys have fun.” She came up to Buck and kissed him on the cheek. “Perhaps I could have my own show later.”

He cupped her face in his large hand, his skin burned where her lips had pressed against him. “Anytime.”

Then she walked away, and he felt the loss of her presence. He stood and listened as they got in the car, the sound of the car doors shutting like a wound in his heart, and then the engine started and Haley drove away, out of his life.

“You get used to it,” Mason told him as he handed Buck a foam mattress and a couple of sleeping bags.

“I’ll take your word for it,” Buck said as he clasped the bedding to his chest, wishing Haley was in his arms instead.

“Let’s go collect the wood, it’ll take your mind off things.” Mason strode across the grass and rounded up Rhett and the girls.

Buck took one last longing look after his mate and then dumped the bedding into the tent. Did he set it out, so they slept together, or did he keep them apart? He wanted them to lie close together, skin to skin. But Haley might think he was too forward.

He didn’t expect sex. But he did want to hold her while they slept.

Eventually he opted for laying out the mattresses side by side and leaving the sleeping bags rolled up. The decision was for later. Right now, the excited cries of Alicia and Marie told him his bear had a job to do.

I can’t wait to meet them, his bear said almost as excited as the girls.

Buck stood up and zipped the tent shut. Then he went to join the others. “Ready?”

“Yes.” Marie jumped up and down on the spot.

“Lead the way,” Buck said and followed them to the edge of the yard.

Rhett took the lead. At the edge of the yard, he ducked under a low hanging tree and then pushed his way between two shrubs. The others all followed until they were standing in a group on the other side. Then they turned toward the mountain and followed what looked like a game trail until it merged with a wider trail that led onto the lower slopes of the mountain.

Buck’s sense of adventure kicked in, and his bear longed to escape and run at speed along the trail and into the mountains, where he could explore at his leisure. However, that was not the plan and Buck had promised Haley he would look after her children, and so he walked on two feet with the others.

Determined to enjoy the hike, Buck took note of his surroundings, using all his senses to identify trees and birds, wildflowers and fungi. He’d never felt more relaxed or at home as they meandered along the first part of the trail, through green meadows.

With the first section being out in the open, Buck had a great view of the valley below. The town of Bear Creek nestled in a valley, with the creek running through it. He longed to spend time exploring the area. This was where he intended to set down roots and become part of the community.

“It’s a good place to live,” Mason said as if reading his mind as he fell into step with him. The girls and Rhett were up ahead, talking and laughing as they explored the trail. “I can’t deny I’ll be glad to have you here.”

“I don’t think I’ll have a choice,” Buck admitted, his mind already made up. “Haley and her kids have a life here, a good life, so I will be the one moving.”

“Good decision,” Mason told him as he looked at Rhett, Alicia and Marie, who were climbing a solitary tree. “Growing up here is so different than growing up in a town or city. The freedom of the mountain. It’s where I want my child to grow up.”

A wave of envy passed over Buck. “I’d love to raise a child here. But with two girls already, I don’t know if Haley would want another.” He grinned. “I think maybe I should know her for at least a day before I ask her.”

“Good thinking,” Mason agreed, then he sobered. “Take things slow, let everyone get used to this new situation.”

“Says the man who proposed within how many days?” Buck asked.

“Don’t do as I do…” Mason began.

“Can we see your bear now?” Marie came running up to them excitedly. They had walked far enough into the forest that they were unlikely to be seen by anyone passing by. The trees were thick and crowded in on the trail, which wasn’t used often except by Mason.

“Sure,” Buck said, walking toward an area where an ivy tree provided even more cover. “Are you ready?”

Marie nodded as Rhett and Alicia joined her. “Buck is about to shift.”

He’d never shifted with such a rapt audience and he hoped nerves wouldn’t kick in and leave him feeling stupid if his bear decided to be shy. But he needn’t have worried, his bear was more than eager to meet everyone, and he burst forth as soon as Buck let go of his self-control.

“Wow.” Alicia stumbled backward as his bear appeared, four paws planted on the ground and his short snout lifted into the air as he sniffed the mountain air.

“You are adorable,” Marie said as she stepped forward, fell to her knees and flung her arms around his neck.

His bear made a face. He was a fearsome bear, not a plush toy. But he had to admit he did like the attention. Especially when Marie told him how soft his fur was. And how big his feet were.

“Hey, Marie,” Rhett stepped forward and patted Buck on the head. “You have to remember not all bears are shifters. If you met a bear in the wild, he could kill you.”

Marie looked up at Rhett. “I know. But Buck’s bear is so cute, especially the silver tips of his fur.”

Cute? Buck’s bear asked, aghast.

Just go with it, Buck told him.

Marie had better not want to put a ribbon in my hair! His bear sounded horrified at the prospect.

Buck chuckled as Alicia reached out and touched his head tentatively. “I think he’s more handsome than cute.”

Thank you, his bear replied, but of course Alicia could not hear him.

Marie stood back and looked at his bear critically. “I suppose you might be right.”

“Are you going to shift, too?” Rhett asked Mason.

“Sure.” Mason took a couple of steps back and then shifted. The air filled with static electricity as Mason’s human form faded and was replaced by that of his bear. A thrill of excitement coursed through Buck, it was a long time since they had shifted together and run through the wild.

But that was not going to happen today, as Haley’s girls crowded around, and Marie asked, “Can I ride on your back?”

His bear nodded. Great, now I get to be a pony.

But he stood still while Rhett lifted Marie onto his back and he behaved himself as they walked along the trail heading higher into the mountains. He wanted to make her happy. Although, when she asked him to run, Buck decided that once he won over the heart of his mate, he would buy her daughter a real pony.