Page 41 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

“You did?” Philip asked, hopeful that Elsbeth might have felt that way, too, when they first met.

“Yes. Of course, I wasn’t ready to admit it to myself, let alone your father.” She smiled wistfully. “But I knew deep down in my soul.”

Then he stiffened. He could sense Elsbeth.

“She’s here,” he whispered, suddenly feeling like a teenager about to go on his first date.

Leanne patted his arm. “Relax. Just be yourself.”

“Which self?” he muttered. “The human or the bear?”

His mother laughed. “Both. They’re both you, and they’re both wonderful.”

Philip took a deep breath as he headed for the door. “Thanks, Mom.”

With that, he headed for the door, hoping that tonight might be the night he told her the truth.

And also that his mate didn’t think he was an axe murderer.

Or a criminal mastermind,his bear teased.

But he did hope she believed he was the one for her.

The one and only,his bear added.

Chapter Twelve – Elsbeth

Elsbeth gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. She’d faced down bank managers for her farm loan with less anxiety than she felt now, driving up the winding road to Thornberg Vineyard.

She was nervous, more nervous than she had been when she bought Rose Farm. Back then, it had been just her dream at stake. Now, it felt like her heart hung in the balance, too.

What if his parents didn’t like her?

What if they weren’t happy about the amount of time he was spending over at Rose Farm?

It seemed as if herif onlyshad been replaced bywhat ifs.

So, what if they did like her? What if they were happy that Philip was helping out a new neighbor?

That was much better.

Ever since her mom’s cancer diagnosis, it was as if a dark cloud loomed over her. But she needed to step out from under that dark cloud and start looking for the sun to break out from behind it.

As she rounded the final curve, Thornberg Vineyard came into view, and Elsbeth’s breath caught in her throat. The hacienda-style house stood proudly against the backdrop of the mountains, its terra-cotta roof and cream-colored walls bathed in the golden light of early evening. Surrounding it, row upon perfect row of vines stretched across the gentle slopes, their leaves rippling like waves in the breeze.

“Oh,” she whispered, slowing the car to better absorb the view.

It was beautiful, more beautiful than she had imagined. And it gave her hope. If these amazing vines could thrive in the mountain climate, then her flowers should, too.

She eased her foot down on the gas and followed the gravel drive toward the house, where she spotted Philip’s blue truck parked to one side. Pulling in beside it, Elsbeth cut the engine but didn’t immediately get out. Instead, she took a moment to compose herself, breathing deeply as she gazed across the vineyard.

Suddenly, the hairs on her forearms stood on end. A ripple of awareness coursed through her body, and she looked up to see Philip striding toward her across the gravel. The sight of him took her breath away. Tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair slightly tousled by the breeze, he moved with the easy confidence of a man perfectly at home in his surroundings.

She could feel the connection they shared. She’d felt it from the moment they’d met. But did he feel the same way?

That was the question burning a hole in her brain. That was the question she was too scared to ask, because the fear that he might not paralyzed her.

Why? She didn’t want to lose him. It was as simple as that.

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