Page 36 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

When the coffee finished brewing, Elsbeth filled her favoriteworkingmug—a chipped ceramic one with faded wildflowers painted around the rim—and grabbed her notebook from the counter. The irrigation system wouldn’t finish installing itself, and if she could get water flowing to the fields today, she’d be that much closer to planting.

She made her way across the dewy grass to where they’d left the irrigation pipes yesterday. Setting her coffee on a nearby stump, she flipped open her notebook to review her plans once more before getting started.

She’d forgotten how heavy the pipes were to haul on her own, and Elsbeth grunted with effort as she wrestled one into position.

Her boots slipped slightly on the damp grass as she dragged the end of the pipe into place. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve, breathing hard. Her muscles ached from the previous day, and a cramp was on the verge of forming in her shoulder.

“You’ve got this,” she muttered, adjusting her grip and forcing herself to keep moving. By the time she had one pipe section in place, her breath came in pants, and her braid was sticking to her neck. But she’d done it. One piece down, a dozen more to go.

She was so focused on the task that she almost missed the distant rumble of an engine approaching.

Her hands stilled. Her heart stuttered in her chest.

Philip.

She knew it with absolute certainty even before he appeared. But then, sure enough, his blue truck appeared around the bend and her heart gave a traitorous little flutter, refusing to believe he was just being neighborly.

Elsbeth went to meet him as he pulled to a stop next to the house. He climbed out, wearing work clothes, a pair of faded jeans, and a well-worn flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, looking as if he’d stepped right out of her dreams from last night.

“Morning,” he called, as he walked toward her with a box under his arm.

“Morning,” Elsbeth replied, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in her stomach.

He smiled that slow, sensual smile that ignited a deep desire inside her. She wanted to be everything he needed. Everything he wanted.

“Brought you a present,” he called as she got closer. “Not as pretty as a vine but might save your flowers just the same.”

So that’s why he was here. Not because he wanted to see her, but because he’d gotten something she needed. Little did he know that right now, all she needed was him.

“What is it?” she asked, keeping her voice steady so as not to betray her feelings.

“Filter regulator,” he said. “Should help balance the water pressure once you get everything hooked up.”

“Thanks.” She peered into the box as he handed it over.

“The one you have is good. But this one is better.” He shrugged, the faintest flush creeping up his neck.

“You didn’t have to,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

He ducked his head, smiling. “It was the least I could do after the amazing meal you cooked last night.”

“It was nothing special,” she replied. “And anyway, last night’s dinner was my way of thanking you for everything you have already done for me.”

Then Philip shifted slightly, clearing his throat. “So, uh,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck in a way that made him look almost boyish, “talking of dinner. You know I said my mom could not wait to meet you.”

“Yes,” she replied warily.

“Well, my mom wanted me to ask you over for dinner tonight. Nothing fancy,” he insisted. “Like I said, my mom would love to meet you.”

Elsbeth blinked, caught completely off guard.

Family dinner.

Meeting his parents.

Her stomach twisted as she opened and closed her mouth. “I...” She hesitated, the word sticking in her throat.

Philip immediately backed off a step, his hands held out in surrender.

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