Page 16 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

“A bear shifter declaring his undying love?” Leanne finished, her lips twitching with amusement.

Philip felt heat rise to his cheeks. “Something like that.”

We would do it with more dignity than that,his bear grumbled.

We might…when my head clears,Philip said, rubbing his temples. His bear might be right about having a head full of fairy dust. It was as if he were floating along on a cloud.

“So, what’s the plan?” Hugo asked, always looking for a practical solution.

“I’m going back tomorrow,” Philip replied. “She has a spring somewhere on her property. I offered to help find it.”

“Smart,” Hugo approved. “Lead with your strengths. Show her your talents.”

“You’ll need your strength if you’re going to be wooing a mate.” Leanne stood and moved to the oven, pulling out a covered plate. The rich aroma of pot roast and roasted vegetables filled the kitchen as she set it before Philip.

“I’m not wooing…” Philip began, then stopped at his mother’s raised eyebrow. “Fine. Maybe I am.”

A wooing we will go!His bear purred with satisfaction.

“I just don’t want to blow it with Elsbeth,” Philip said after taking a few bites.

“Why would you?” Leanne asked as she sat back down and picked up her wine glass, watching her son eat.

Philip paused, his fork hovering over his plate. “I don’t know. But Elsbeth seemed...sad at times. Like she’s carrying a heavy burden.”

Leanne’s expression softened. “New beginnings often come from painful endings.”

Philip nodded, remembering the way Elsbeth had touched the forget-me-nots, the shadow that had passed over her face.

“Just be patient,” Hugo advised. “When she’s ready, she’ll share her burdens with you.”

“And until then?” Philip asked.

“Until then, you be the steady ground beneath her feet,” Leanne said simply. “Sometimes that’s all anyone needs to bloom.”

Philip smiled at his mother’s choice of words. How fitting for his flower-farming mate.

“I can do that,” Philip said, warmth spreading through his chest at his mother’s wisdom. “Be the steady ground.”

“And find her spring,” Hugo added with a wink. “Nothing says ‘I’m your mate’ like finding water.”

Philip laughed despite himself. “I’m not sure that’s in any of the old legends.”

“Should be,” his father replied, raising his glass. “To Philip and Elsbeth.”

“To Philip and Elsbeth,” Leanne echoed, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy.

Philip raised his own glass, the wine catching the light. “To new beginnings,” he murmured.

“So, do you have any clue where this spring is?” Hugo asked as he set his glass down.

“Nope. I just hope I can find it for her,” Philip replied, his mind already mapping the contours of Elsbeth’s land, trying to pinpoint where water might flow beneath the surface.

His bear stirred restlessly.We will find it. It’ll be our gift to her.

“You will,” Leanne said with such certainty that Philip couldn’t help but believe her. “And speaking of gifts, I think I might put together a little welcome basket for your Elsbeth. Some preserves, maybe some of that lavender honey from last season’s harvest.”

“Mom,” Philip protested weakly, “she’s notmyElsbeth.”

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