Page 13 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“Thank you, Kris. Really. I appreciate this.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, sliding his phone back into his pocket. For a moment, they just looked at each other. Cassia’s heart gave a few irregular thumps, a pleasant sensation that also made her feel the floor might disappear beneath her feet. She cleared her throat and looked at her car keys.

“I should probably head out, so I can find my way there before it’s completely dark.”

“Of course,” Kris agreed, walking with her to the door, their footsteps echoing on the cool floor.

They stepped outside into the fading light. The sky was streaked with gold and lavender, and the air held that sweet scent of sunbaked earth cooling for the night. Cassia inhaled deeply, feeling a calm settle over her. Kris accompanied her to her car, and once they reached it, she paused by the driver’s door, not wanting to leave.

He paused, too, lifting his hand slightly as if to reach for her, then lowering it. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” he asked softly, like he wasn’t quite ready for her to go.

She nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yes. First thing in the morning, we can talk menus or whatever you guys want to do to get this restaurant going.”

“That’d be good.” He exhaled, running his fingers through his hair in that distracted way she already found endearing. “And if you need anything tonight—directions, or if you get lost—just call. The cell signal can be spotty, but you should catch enough bars in certain areas.”

She unlocked her car door and slid inside. Kris lingered by the window, leaning down slightly. “Drive safe, all right?”

She swallowed. “I will. Thanks again, Kris.”

His eyes held hers for a moment longer than expected. Then he stepped back. She closed the door and started the engine. As she eased the car around, he lifted his hand in a small wave, and she waved back, feeling a surprising pang of reluctance to leave.

The last glimpse she had of him was his tall silhouette framed by the vineyard, arms crossed over his chest as though he were wrestling with his own mix of emotions. Then the bend in the gravel driveway hid him from view.

And she wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in his strong arms, her head resting against his chest.

Chapter Five – Kris

As Cassia’s car disappeared around the bend, Kris remained rooted in place, staring down the empty gravel driveway as if he could will her back by sheer force of longing.

If only,his bear said dreamily.

If only,Kris agreed, inhaling deeply as he caught the last of her scent before it was replaced by the sweet aroma of grapes ripening on the vines.

He’d always loved the smell of sun-warmed grapes, but now he doubted it would ever compare to the scent of his mate.

His mate! Kris couldn’t quite wrap his mind around it.His matehad just driven away.

Mate, his bear echoed, rumbling contentedly.

Kris locked onto Cassia as she drove toward town. What if she didn’t come back? What if she decided not to take a chance on the restaurant? On him.

What if she kept on driving and he never saw her again?

You are being dramatic. She’ll be back tomorrow. She wants this to work as much as we do,his bear reminded him pointedly.No need to panic.

I know,Kris answered, exhaling.But…

He let that thought trail off. Cassia had agreed to stay for a two-week trial period, and he sensed she was not the kind of person who broke her word.

But the notion of her leaving if things went wrong, if he failed to get the restaurant off the ground, gnawed at him.

She’d been through something painful. He could see it in the guarded flicker of her eyes. He might not know the details, but hefelther heartbreak. Almost as if it were his own.

And he wanted to comfort her. To hold her and tell her that it was the past, and he was her future.

But the last thing he wanted to do was scare her away by smothering her with how strongly he felt.

Strongly, indeed.We might only have met a few hours ago,Kris told his bear,but I can’t imagine going back to a life without her.

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