Page 22 of Beary In Love

"I..." She pushed her glasses up her nose, buying time to collect her thoughts. "Thank you. For coming here, I mean. And for saying that."

Logan shifted his weight, the wooden boards creaking beneath his feet. The sound broke through her hesitation.

"I'm sorry too," Serena said. "For today and... for back then. I was so focused on proving I could make something more of myself that I didn't consider other options. We could've talked about it more, figured something out together."

"We were both pretty stubborn," he admitted. "Still are, apparently."

"Speak for yourself." Serena crossed her arms but couldn't help returning his smile. "I'm perfectly reasonable now."

"Says the woman who stormed off mid-argument today."

"I prefer to call it a strategic retreat." Heat crept into her cheeks. "And you're the one who decided to bring up ancient history."

Logan chuckled, and the sound sent a warmth through her. "Fair enough. So, fresh start?"

"Fresh start," she agreed. "I'll come by tomorrow morning to check on the animals. And maybe we can work on a better defense plan for the sanctuary."

"Sounds good." He stepped back, his boots scuffing against the wood. "Get some rest, Serena."

As she watched him walk to his truck, the night air carried the scent of pine needles and possibility.

Back inside, Serena leaned against her closed door. Her reflection in the hallway mirror showed flushed cheeks and bright eyes. She looked... happy. The realization startled a laugh out of her.

"Well," she said to her empty house, "that was unexpected."

Her phone buzzed with a text from Julie: "Did he grovel appropriately?"

Serena typed back: "None of your business, you meddling water witch."

"You're welcome."

10

LOGAN

Logan leaned against the wooden gate, two steaming cups of coffee in hand as Serena's car pulled up the gravel driveway. The morning sun caught in her messy bun as she stepped out and made the loose strands glow. His bear stirred remembering how soft that hair felt between his fingers.

"Brought you some coffee. Two sugars, splash of cream?"

"You remembered." Serena's eyes widened behind her glasses as she accepted the cup. Their fingers brushed briefly, and a tingle surged through him.

"Hard to forget." Logan cleared his throat.

Spring had transformed the sanctuary overnight - new buds dotted the trees and wildflowers pushed through the soil. A rabbit darted across their path as they approached the enclosures. Logan watched as Serena's face lit up and he couldn’t help but grin.

Inside the first enclosure, she knelt beside the recovering fox, her hands gentle as she checked its vitals. "Temperature's normal now. How's he been eating?"

"Like a champ. Stole my sandwich yesterday when I wasn't looking."

Her laugh hit him right in the chest. Same musical sound it had always been.

"That's a good sign." She scratched behind the fox's ears. "Your medicine worked perfectly, didn't it, sweet boy?"

Logan watched her work, moving from animal to animal with practiced ease. The way she spoke to them, soft and sure, reminded him of all those nights they'd spent dreaming about their future - her clinic, his sanctuary. Funny how life worked out.

His bear paced restlessly again. Having her here felt right, like puzzle pieces clicking into place. But timing was a cruel thing.

"They're all doing great," Serena announced. "The potions cleared out whatever magic Silas used completely."

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