Page 10 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

“It would be a waste of a flower.” She brushed her fingers across the petals, then straightened. “I’m not looking for love right now.”

She might not be looking, but it’s found her anyway,Philip’s bear said.

“Yarrow,” Philip said abruptly, pointing to another plant. “For healing.”

“I need some of that,” Elsbeth said but did not elaborate. She took a couple of steps away from him and crouched down. “Forget-me-nots. For remembrance.” As she stared at the small blue flowers, her shoulders hunched, he could sense her sadness. He longed to gather her in his arms and hold her close, to kiss her forehead and promise he would chase her pain away.

“Snapdragons,” Philip said, trying to lighten the mood. “Deception.”

Elsbeth sniffed loudly and brushed her hand across her eyes as she stood up and came to join him. “Well, that’s not encouraging. Are you deceiving me, Philip?”

“Me?” he asked, his voice coming out a little high. “Never. Maybe it just means things aren’t always what they seem.”

She gave him a considering look. “Maybe.”

Every second he spent near her made it harder to think straight.

“All I know…” Philip said, then cleared his throat. “Is that wildflowers have their own wisdom. They grow where they please, or where they are needed—even when no one plants them.”

“Like dreams,” she murmured. “They find a way, don’t they?” She looked out across the farm with such hope in her eyes it made his heart ache.

“They do,” Philip said, wishing he could know the source of her sorrow. Wishing he could make her dreams come true.

Because she had madehisdreams come true just by being here.

“I should check on Finn,” Elsbeth said suddenly, breaking the spell.

Philip nodded, not trusting himself to speak. As they made their way back toward the house, he caught a whiff of her scent and his bear practically purred with delight. She smelled like sunshine and flowers and something uniquely Elsbeth that he couldn’t quite name…but he would recognize it instantly for the rest of his life.

Finn was waiting for them by the porch, his phone in his hand. “Sorry about that,” he said, flashing an apologetic smile. But Philip sensed his brother was not sorry at all. Finn had used the phone call as an excuse to leave Philip alone with his mate.

“No problem,” Elsbeth said. “Shall we go inside and go over the plans?”

“Yes,” Finn replied and shoved his phone in his pocket.

“I am going to get going,” Philip said, although he wanted nothing more than to go inside the house and never leave. But he was a distraction. It was time to leave Elsbeth alone with Finn so she could get the professional advice she needed. It was the best thing for her, even if every step away from the house would be torture. “I have some jobs that need doing before sunset.”

“Oh.” Was that disappointment in her voice? Or was he just hearing what he wanted to hear? “Well, thank you for all your help today. And for...identifying the wildflowers.”

“My pleasure,” Philip said, meaning it more than she could possibly know.

Finn shot him a look that clearly said,What are you doing?

“I’ll walk you to your truck,” Finn said pointedly.

“I’ll wait inside,” Elsbeth said. “And get those sketches ready.” She disappeared into the farmhouse, leaving the brothers alone.

“Why don’t you stay?” Finn hissed as soon as she was out of earshot. “Philip, she’s your mate. You can’t just leave. Whatever jobs need doing can wait. This is more important.”

“I know. Trust me, I know.” Philip ran a hand through his hair, his gaze fixed on the farmhouse door where Elsbeth had disappeared. “But she doesn’t know that yet. And she just said she’s not looking for love.”

“That’s what she said. But she doesn’t know what’s happening between you two,” Finn argued, keeping his voice low. “And she won’t unless you tell her.”

His bear growled in agreement, but Philip was resolute. “I need to take this slowly. She’s starting a new life here, chasing her dreams. The last thing she needs is some bear shifter telling her they’re destined to be together.”

“So your plan is to what? Just walk away?” Finn looked incredulous.

“No,” Philip sighed. “My plan is to give her space. Let her get to know me naturally. Build something real before I spring the whole ‘we’re mates’ thing on her.”

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