Page 11 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

Finn’s expression softened. “That’s actually...surprisingly thoughtful.”

“Don’t sound so shocked,” Philip muttered as they reached his truck. With a sigh, Philip glanced back at the farmhouse, his heart tugging him toward it with an almost physical force. “Tell her I’ll be back tomorrow. Say I want to look for that spring.”

Finn nodded. “Will do. And Philip?”

“Yeah?”

“This wholefound my matething…” Finn grinned. “It suits you.”

Chapter Four – Elsbeth

Elsbeth stared out of the kitchen window, hugging her sketchbook to her chest, and watched as the dust cloud behind Philip’s truck faded into the distance. And for one wild, ridiculous heartbeat, she wished it was Philip who’d stayed instead of Finn.

The thought shocked her.

After all, she needed Finn’s expert opinion on her plans for the farm. But there was something about Philip, an undeniable connection…and attraction.

She turned sharply, retreating toward the steps, scolding herself.

You’re not here for a man, Elsbeth. You’re here for your dream. For Mom. For yourself.

Finn was the one helping her with plans. He was the professional. The one she was supposed to focus on.

Still, as she set her sketchbook down on the table and reached for the coffee pot, she couldn’t quite shake the hollow feeling Philip’s absence left behind.

Focusing on making a fresh pot of coffee, she measured out the grounds with careful precision. It was a small, manageable task…unlike her thoughts, which kept wandering back to Philip’s hands in the soil, the quiet intensity of his gaze when he spoke about the land.

How she liked it when he turned that intense gaze on her… And how his hands brushing hers made her stomach clench with longing…

It was as if he had cast a spell on her. One she did not want to break.

Elsbeth jumped guiltily and nearly spilled the coffee grounds as the screen door creaked open and Finn stepped inside. “Philip said to tell you he’ll be back tomorrow to help locate that spring.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Oh? He doesn’t need to do that.”

“Trust me,” Finn said with a knowing smile. “He wants to.”

“That’s...nice of him.” Elsbeth busied herself with the coffee maker, hoping Finn couldn’t see the flush creeping up her neck. “Why don’t you take a seat? I’m just making coffee.” As if Finn couldn’t see for himself!

Finn smiled and settled himself at the kitchen table. “Coffee sounds perfect.”

As the machine gurgled to life, Elsbeth busied herself gathering mugs and spoons, grateful for the distraction.

“So,” Finn said casually, “how long have you been planning this flower farm?”

Elsbeth’s hands stilled momentarily on the cupboard door. “All my life, in a way. My mother had a garden when I was growing up, and I loved helping her plant seeds and nurture the plants. Nothing like what I’m planning here, but it was magical to me.” She pulled down two mugs and set them on the counter as a wave of emotion swept over her.

“And now you’re here making it a reality,” Finn said as he took his notebook out of his pocket and opened it up.

“Yes.” She swallowed past the sudden tightness in her throat. “At least, trying to.”

“Okay, I’m here to help make your dream a reality.”

Did he have any idea that he already had, by bringing Philip into her life?

She shook off that thought as she poured the coffee. There could be no distractions. None at all. Especially none with broad shoulders and eyes that seemed to see into the depths of her soul.

“Where do we start?” Elsbeth asked as she set two steaming mugs of coffee down on the table.

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