Page 29 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“So, what is this about, Kris?” Cassia asked as she pulled the door closed behind her and joined him outside.

“I…” He was lost for words, and not simply because he still had not decided how much of himself he planned to share.

No, it was more than that. Being here with his mate still felt surreal, as if it were all a dream.

“Why don’t we walk?” he finally said and nodded toward a trail that led into the forest.

At least this way, his options were still open. If he showed her his bear, they would be shielded from view of anyone else staying in the guest house.

“Should I be worried?” Cassia asked as she fell into step with him.

“No,” he said and turned to face her with a frown. Did she know about shifters? Was she scared he might hurt her?

“So, you haven’t come to tell me the restaurant is not happening?” she asked, and her voice hitched.

And his heart ached.

“No!” he said quickly, wanting to reassure her. “The restaurant is absolutely happening. My family is thrilled about it. I’m thrilled about it. They love you…re ideas.”

Relief washed over Cassia’s face, softening the worry lines that had formed between her brows. “Oh, good. I guess I was worried it was all too good to be true.”

She’s not the only one,his bear said.

But weknowthis is true,Kris replied.

They continued along the forest path, and Kris’s bear stirred with contentment at being in nature with their mate.

This was his domain. The wilds of the mountains and forests, and he longed to share it all with her.

“I understand that feeling,” Kris assured her. “Sometimes the best things in life seem unbelievable until we let ourselves trust them.”

Like we trust in fate,his bear said.Because finally, we have met our mate.

Cassia glanced at him. “Is that what you wanted to talk about? Trust?”

“Trust?” Kris repeated.

“Yes, trust,” she replied, her eyes narrowing.

No going back now,his bear told him.You need to tell her everything. And fast.

His bear was right. If he explained everything to her, she would understand how this was about more than a restaurant. How her future here in Bear Creek was secure, whether or not the restaurant worked out.

But what if he was wrong? What if Cassia didn’t want to be the mate of a bear shifter in a small town?

Cassia was obviously driven. Her career was important to her. Why else would she have dropped everything and come to Bear Creek after reading the ad?

Because she needed a change. A fresh start,his bear replied.

And what if a relationship with a shifter does not fit in with her plans?Kris said.

“Kris?” Cassia folded her arms across her body, hugging herself as her brow creased. “Don’t you trustme?”

“Trust you?” he asked. How could she think that? Surely, he’d given her no reason to.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I know this is a big step for your family. A big investment of both time and money. But I can assure you I am up for the job. I will work hard to make the restaurant a success.”

“Oh, I know.” He nodded and then gave a nervous laugh. “I don’t have any doubts.”

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