Page 36 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

I hope you are right,Kris said as he quickly dressed in worn jeans and a T-shirt, plus a flannel to ward against the early chill.

Wearing only socks, he crept out of his room so as not to wake anyone else in the house. At this time in the morning, the house seemed too still, too quiet, and he held his breath as he made his way along the hallway and downstairs without a sound. In the kitchen, he set about making coffee, each familiar action bringing a measure of calm to his tumultuous thoughts.

Soon enough, the comforting aroma of fresh brew filled the room, and he poured a mug, then carried it to the doorway that opened onto the back porch. It was so peaceful, even the birds had not yet begun their dawn chorus.

He sipped the coffee in silent appreciation of the life he had here. A life he wanted to share with his mate. Surely, she could see how perfectly she fit here. Not just with him, but this place he called home.

We love this place,his bear said gently.Always have.

Kris nodded inwardly.Always will.There was so much history in these rows of vines, so many memories of him and his brothers growing up, and his parents. The flourish of fresh growth every spring, the golden leaves in fall, the satisfaction of harvest. The vineyard was his lifeblood, binding him to Bear Creek, and he’d never questioned whether this was where he belonged. But now…

If his mate chose to go back to her old life, her old love, would he ever feel the same sense of peace again?

Kris closed his eyes. He could see it so clearly,the future he craved. Their kids running free between the rows of vines, just as he and his brothers once had, their laughter echoing beneath the bright summer sky. Cassia at his side, her face alight with joy.

And love,his bear added.

But then the image blurred, turning cold and empty. The vines withered. The valley lay barren—like his heart would be if she chose to leave if she decided to go back to her ex. The thought felt like a punch to his stomach.

She won’t leave,his bear tried to assure him.

I wish I was as certain,Kris countered. Because if there was one thing he’d learned from last night, it was that Cassia’s heart was torn. She’d come here wanting a fresh start—maybe she still did. But her ex’s call had dragged her back to the cusp of the life she thought she wanted, once upon a time.No wonder she’s confused,Kris thought.What if she’s not ready for…me? For the truth about who I am?

He finished his coffee in a single gulp, ignoring the bitter sting on his tongue. The rest of the household would be up soon—his mom and dad never stayed in bed past dawn. But for a moment longer, Kris lingered, letting the scene before him calm his soul. As it always did.

But today was different. It was like he had an itch he could not scratch.

He pushed off the doorframe and stretched his arms above his head. No sense in moping. If he couldn’t fix Cassia’s heartbreak right now, at least he could throw himself into the day’s tasks. Maybe manual work would help him think.

And maybe today you’ll find a chance to tell her the truth about us,his bear rumbled hopefully.

You don’t think we should give her some space?Kris asked.The last thing I want to do is put pressure on her. Wasn’t that what we agreed?

It was,his bear said.But that kiss changed everything.

Kris’s mouth twitched in a wry grin.Always the optimist,he mused. Fine. Maybe that optimism was exactly what he needed.

He went back inside, set his mug on the counter, pulled on his work boots, then stepped outside into the first light of dawn. The air was cool, fresh with the promise of another summer day. Even though no one else was up, the vineyard itself felt alive, dew shimmering on the vine leaves. Kris inhaled slowly, letting the crisp oxygen fill his lungs.One foot in front of the other. That’s all we can do for now.

It’s what we’ve always done,his bear murmured, as if reading his anxious thoughts.And what we will always do.

Kris nodded silently, weaving between rows of vines. The ground was still damp from the night’s cooler temperatures, leaving faint footprints in his wake. He ran a hand along a loaded vine, noticing the slight sag in the wires. Not one to ever leave a job undone, Kris located a small toolbox from under a tarp, intending to fix the tension. A simple job, but at least it’d keep his hands busy and his mind from spiraling.

As he worked, he let the repetitive motion, the click of the wire ratchet, center him. For a few minutes, the day’s earlier turmoil eased. He was just Kris Thornberg, caretaker of these vines, a man with a vineyard to run and a dream to chase.

But every so often, a pang shot through his chest.Would Cassia walk these rows with me ever again, or was that wishful thinking?

He hammered a small stake deeper into the ground, the reverberation shaking up his arm.What if she can’t let go ofhim—Dante!A wave of frustration swept over Kris. The guy had cheated on Cassia. How dare he try to tempt her back with some half-baked apology?

But was Kris any better if he tried to bind her to him by telling her they were fated mates?

That’s not love,his bear said.Love means letting her choose.

Still, the idea of letting her go tightened a knot in his stomach.But there were other ways to make her stay,he resolved.I’ll show her a glimpse of her future here. I’ll show her what an incredible business we can build. Then, if she decides to go, at least I’ll know I tried.

He straightened, rolling his shoulders to loosen the stiff muscles. The sun had risen enough to cast a warm glow across the vines, and the day was already beginning to warm. Rubbing his hands on his jeans to dust off bits of dirt, he surveyed his work. This vineyard might be his home, but right now, it also felt like a stage, a place where everything he did or said might shape Cassia’s decision.

Stop overthinking,his bear grumbled.You’ve done what you can here. We have other tasks.

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