Page 21 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“Who else?” Kris put his hand over his heart. “I was scared she might leave town. But I can sense her. She’s close.”

A flicker of longing crossed Finn’s face. “Man, that must be something. I hope one day soon I get to feel what you feel. Know what you know.”

Kris clapped him on the shoulder again, offering a comforting squeeze. “You will. I’m sure that day will come for all of us.” He held out his hands for the plans. “For now, these plans are a start. I’ll show them to Cassia, and see what she thinks.”

Finn nodded and handed the plans to his brother. “You do that,” he said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I’m heading over to the house, so if you need me, just holler. Otherwise, we’ll talk later.”

Kris shot him a grateful smile. “Thanks.For everything.”

Finn shrugged, but then his eyes twinkled, just like they had when they were kids, and he was up to mischief. “Don’t mention it. Or actually, do mention it. A lot. Tell everyone it was all my doing. I am the reason you found your mate.”

“My hero,” Kris said with a mock bow as Finn left the barn.

He is,Kris’s bear said.He seriously is.

Chapter Eight – Cassia

Cassia stirred at first light, blinking in the warm glow that seeped through the bedroom window. At first, she forgot where she was. But as she lay there listening to the gentle rustle of wind through the leaves, it came back to her, Bear’s Rest Guest House.

Yes, she was in a cozy cabin in the woods, high in the mountains above Bear Creek, worlds apart from the city apartment she used to share with… Oh no, she was not going to give Dante a second thought. Not today.

Cassia sat up, the quilt falling around her, a tingle of excitement threading through her veins. She was brimming with ideas for the restaurant, her thoughts swirling around the layout, the décor, the wine list, and menu choices. She didn’t want to forget a single thought, so she snatched up her bright pink notepad from the bedside table and jotted down a few lines:

Cozy, low lighting? Or airy, open windows?

A dedicated tasting bar?

Social media…

The more she wrote, the more anxious she got. What if Kris had been wrong to put his faith in her?

She forced a deep breath, trying to ease the knot in her stomach. She could not think like that. She needed to trust her abilities. What happened with Dante had dented her self-confidence, but it had not changed who she was. And she was good at her job.

AndKris had seen that. He believed in her. Why else would he have given her this chance?

The memory of his smile and touch sent shivers of delight down her spine. Or was it desire?

Heat spread through her body as she imagined him here, lying next to her, his hands caressing her …

Oh no. She swung her legs out of bed and stood up. She needed to keep things purely professional.

She dressed quickly, opting for comfortable jeans and a simple blouse. Not her usual professional look, but much more practical if she was going to get stuck doing any work on the barn renovations. Since this venture was going to be built from the ground up, she planned to be involved in every aspect.

Yes, Cassia planned to make herself indispensable to the Thornbergs.And one Thornberg in particular,the small voice inside her head said.

Quickly silencing that small voice, she slipped on a pair of flat shoes, grabbed her purse, and left the cabin. It was still very early, and she carefully picked her way over the stones and skirted the main house, not wanting to wake anyone.

Cassia felt a flash of guilt for leaving without saying goodbye, but she didn’t want to disturb Aunt Mel. But she could catch up with Mel when she returned.

When she reached her car, she opened the door as quietly as possible, although it was so quiet that every sound she made seemed to echo among the trees. She slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, wincing at the rumble that broke the morning stillness.

Even the rumble of her stomach!

As she drove away from Bear’s Rest, Cassia decided a coffee shop might be the perfect way to start the day, gather her thoughts, and soak in the vibe of Bear Creek.

Ten minutes later, she reached the town’s main street, which looked like something from a postcard, with old-fashioned storefronts lined up beneath a canopy of tall trees. A sign for “Bear’s Brew Coffee” caught her eye, or more particularly, the chalkboard advertising fresh pastries. Perfect. Cassia pulled into a parking spot just along the street and got out of the car. She wasn’t the only one out and about at this early hour. Several people strolled along the sidewalk, nodding friendly hellos as Cassia passed them. It struck her how different this was from the city, where strangers rarely acknowledged each other. She pushed open the door to Bear’s Brew, a bell tinkling softly overhead.

Stepping inside the coffee shop, she inhaled the rich aroma of espresso mingled with fresh-baked dough. A teenage barista gave her a bright grin. “Morning! What can I get you?”

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