Page 20 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

He inhaled slowly.So much work.They’d need new insulation, wiring for a commercial kitchen, and plumbing for restrooms.But we can do it.

Of course, we can,his bear said with confidence.

Someone’s coming.Kris turned his focus outward.

Finn,his bear said.

Kris tried to maintain a straight face as he turned, crossing his arms. “Well, look who it is.”

“Morning,” Finn said stiffly as he stood in the doorway, looking as if he was expecting a scolding.

Kris raised an eyebrow. “Is it?” he asked, letting the silence stretch for an extra beat.

Finn cleared his throat, glancing around the barn. “Look, I… I’m sorry about that ad, okay? You know it was only written as a joke. I have no idea what happened. I swear I did not post it, and I took it down as soon as I realized. I’m surprised anyone had a chance to see it.”

Kris kept his face neutral, strolling past a stack of old crates. “A joke, huh?” He trailed a hand along a dusty barrel, forcing Finn to sweat a little.

“Yeah,” Finn replied as he shook his head. “Like I said, I had no clue it’d get posted for real. But then…apparently, it did. And apparently, you found your mate because of it, so maybe it was meant to be.” He ended with a half-smile, raising his hands in a helpless gesture. “It was fate.”

Kris let the tension linger for a moment, then exhaled, crossing the room to give Finn a playful shove. “You realize you gave me a heart attack, right? A total stranger showing up, expecting a job that didn’t exist.”

Finn grimaced. “Sorry. That must’ve been awkward.”

“Awkward? Try cosmic-level awkward,” Kris retorted, though his lips twitched as he stifled a grin. “But yeah…it was fate.”

Finn looked both relieved and a little sheepish. “So, you’re not mad?”

Kris paused. Then, in a burst of movement, he pulled Finn into a tight bear hug. “I should be furious,” he muttered. “But if it wasn’t for you, Cassia wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t have found my mate.” He stepped back, clapping Finn on the shoulder. “So…thank you. Even if it was the dumbest stroke of luck ever.”

Finn snorted. “You’re welcome, I guess.” He scratched the back of his neck, gaze flicking around the barn. “I’m real happy for you. And more than a little jealous. Must have been amazing tosenseher at last. I’m kind of wishing I had put an ad up for my own mail-order bride.”

A small grin tugged at Kris’s mouth. “It is. It was. I hope one day I can return the favor, and help you find your mate, too. Either by accident or by design.”

Finn’s half-smile turned wistful. “Yeah, me, too. But hey, you know what happened over at the ranch. Once Ezra found his mate, the rest did, one after another. So, we might all see our mates soon enough, if fate decides. Who knows?”

“Who knows?” Kris echoed, nodding. He pivoted on his heel and swept his arm around the room. “Anyway, this is it. The restaurant is finally going to happen.” His voice caught with unexpected emotion. “After all the time we’ve talked about it.”

Finn whistled low, looking around the barn. “So, this is really happening? Not just talk anymore?”

“It’s happening,” Kris confirmed, a surge of excitement coursing through him. “It has to.”

“Well, damn.” Finn stuffed his hands in his pockets as he surveyed the barn with a critical eye. “It’s going to take some work.”

“It is,” Kris agreed, trying to stop any doubt from creeping in. “I was just taking stock of what needs to be done. It’s a lot, but not impossible.”

“It’s a big job, for sure.” He patted a splintered post. “But it’s still sturdy. We can do a lot with it. Actually…” He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. “I whipped up a rough sketch last night, trying to see if I could visualize a layout.”

“This is…pretty good,” Kris said, looking over Finn’s shoulder at the plans. He traced a finger along the hypothetical doorways. “Kitchen in the center, dining around it, big windows looking out at the vines…”

Finn grinned. “I had some late-night inspiration. Figured if we’re doing it, might as well do it right, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Kris said. “I had some ideas, but yours are better.”

“Aren’t they always?” Finn asked with an arched eyebrow.

Kris suddenly looked up, eyes distant. “She’s coming.”

Finn’s gaze slid to the door, though there was no one there yet. “Cassia?”

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