Page 17 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

Kris had said his aunt Mel was welcoming.“She’s like a mother hen,”he’d joked.

Good.

Cassia needed a bit of mother-henning these days, especially since her actual mother was hundreds of miles away, and Cassia wasn’t on the best of terms with…well,anyonefrom her old life.

They’d all thought she was overreacting when she broke off the engagement with Dante. Her mother even had the gall to insinuate that Cassia should forgive Dante because he was probably the best she was ever going to get. The memory still stung.

She bit her lip, refusing to let her thoughts spiral back to that betrayal.No. This is about new beginnings,she reminded herself.A new adventure.

Cassia parked her car in front of the charming two-story cottage with a wraparound porch. The structure was nestled among tall pines, with warm golden light spilling from the windows. It looked like something from a fairy tale, complete with window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers.

Before she could even turn off the engine, the front door swung open, and a woman emerged onto the porch. She was petite with silver-streaked dark hair pulled into a loose bun, wearing a floral apron over casual clothes. This had to be Mel.

“You must be Cassia!” the woman called, waving enthusiastically. “Kris called to say you were on your way. Come in, come in! You must be exhausted.”

“It has been a long day,” Cassia admitted, feeling an immediate warmth toward the woman. She grabbed her purse and made her way up the stone path. She’d collect the rest of her luggage later.

“I’m Melanie Thornberg, but everyone calls me Mel,” the woman said, pulling Cassia into an unexpected but somehow not unwelcome hug. “Welcome to Bear’s Rest. I hope you found the place all right. We’re a little out of the way and the mountain roads can be tricky after dark if you are not familiar with them.”

“Kris’s directions were very detailed. I don’t think I could have gotten lost if I’d tried.” Cassia smiled, noting how Aunt Mel’s gaze flicked briefly over her, as though summing up more than just her physical appearance. “Thank you for letting me stay at such short notice.”

“Think nothing of it!” Mel let out a light laugh. “It’s what we’re here for.” She gestured for Cassia to follow, leading her around the side of the main house. “We have a couple of little guest houses for folks passing through. Usually hikers or nature lovers. But I suppose you’re here on business, hmm? Kris didn’t say.”

Cassia tried to maintain composure.Business.Yes, that was the official line, though it felt more personal than that. “Yes, I’m helping your nephew with a new venture. Or I’m hoping to,” she said carefully.

Mel cast a quick grin over her shoulder as she led the way. “A new venture. Yes, it is certainly that.”

Heat rose in Cassia’s cheeks, though she forced a neutral nod. Did Mel sense Cassia felt something more for her nephew? But how? Was Cassia that obvious? She would need to be more guarded on her next encounter with Kris Thornberg. “He definitely seems dedicated.”

Mel chuckled, pushing open a small gate leading to a path of stepping stones. “Oh, he is. That boy has always had a strong dedication to what he loves. Now, watch your step here. Some of these stones shift if you stand on them wrong.” As they walked, Cassia noticed how carefully maintained the surroundings were: potted plants, neat little wind chimes tinkling in the faint breeze, and lanterns casting warm puddles of light across the pathway. Soon, the path opened to a quaint little cottage that looked as if it was once a barn or some other outbuilding. “And here we are.”

Cassia’s breath caught for a moment at how picturesque it looked. Nestled among towering pines, the guest house exuded warmth, as though it had been built just for weary travelers like her. Mel nudged the door open, flicking on an interior lamp. “It’s compact. A bedroom, a small living area, plus a kitchenette. The bathroom is at the back. If you need anything at all, just give me a shout.”

“Oh, I’m sure I won’t need to disturb you,” Cassia said.

“You won’t,” Mel replied. “I’m on my own for a couple of days. My husband, Kris’s uncle is away for a couple of days on a mountain patrol.” She stared toward the distant peaks towering above them her eyes unfocused as if she were searching for him out there.

Cassia stepped inside the guest house, the interior smelled faintly of cedar and fresh linens, and it was decorated with cozy mountain-town touches: plaid throw blankets, a crocheted rug, and framed photos of local flora and fauna on the walls. “This is lovely,” Cassia said, turning around to take it all in. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so instantly at peace in a new place.

“I’m sure you are going to enjoy your stay.” Mel watched her with a kind, evaluating gaze. “You must be hungry.”

Cassia hesitated, she’d eaten nothing since midday, aside from the bread Kris had offered during the tasting to cleanse her palate. “Honestly, I’m starving, but I don’t want to be a bother.”

“No bother at all,” Mel said cheerily. “I always cook too much since I never know when one of my boys might pop in. I’ll bring you up a plate in a few minutes. You just get yourself settled in.”

So this was the mother-hen side Kris had warned her about. She offered Mel a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Mel nodded, hand lingering on the doorknob. “And would you like a glass of Thornberg wine with your dinner?”

Cassia’s pulse quickened as an image of Kris once again invaded her thoughts.She nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Wonderful.” With a smile, Mel excused herself. “Now, make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Cassia let out a slow breath once Mel was gone, the door clicking softly behind her. Alone in a new place, again. But this time, it didn’t feel lonely or frightening. How could it?

The cottage had a snug living area with a small sofa, a coffee table, and a single armchair by the window. Beyond that, a door presumably led to the bedroom, another to the bathroom. It was more than enough for a comfortable short-term stay.

She ran her hand across the back of the sofa, gently pressing the cushions. The place had an immediate charm, the sort that coaxed her to sink in and forget her worries. But she had tasks to do. First, she needed to collect her luggage from the car.

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