Page 62 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

“I’d like to help, too,” Elsbeth offered hesitantly. Though Philip had told her she was part of the family now, she hadn’t met all his brothers yet. She didn’t want them to think she was being pushy.

Philip seemed to sense her uncertainty. His face brightened as he turned to her. “Well, I was going to offer to help with the decorations,” he said. “I planned on making them natural, using vines and other greenery from the vineyard.” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “But now that I’ve met a flower farmer...”

“When is it?” Elsbeth asked, her mind already racing with ideas. She could picture arrangements of seasonal blooms complementing the natural beauty of the vineyard, perhaps reflecting the colors of the changing vines.

“Not for another couple of months,” Philip replied. “But we all get so busy, we decided to make an early start on the plans.”

“I’d love to help with the flowers,” she said excitedly, squeezing his arm. “If I get planting right away, I’ll have lots of choice by then.”

Philip’s eyebrows rose playfully. “Is that a hint?”

“I can handle things here,” she assured him, suddenly aware that he probably had work waiting for him at the vineyard. “You should get back and do your chores. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of my future in-laws.”

“Future in-laws,” Philip repeated.

“Shifters do get married, right?”

“Indeed, they do,” Philip replied, his eyes darkening with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

“Oh,” she said, suddenly flustered. “That was not a hint.” The thought of him proposing right then and there filled her with panic. And longing.

Philip chuckled at her shocked expression. “Relax,” he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I need to buy a ring first.”

Elsbeth’s heart fluttered in her chest. The promise in his words was unmistakable. Notif, butwhen. She leaned against him, savoring the warmth of his body next to hers.

“I should probably start planning what to plant for the anniversary flowers,” she said, choosing to change the subject. “Do you know what colors your mother prefers?”

Philip wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “She loves blues and purples. She says they remind her of the mountains at dusk.”

“Perfect,” Elsbeth nodded. “I can work with that. Bachelor’s buttons, larkspur, lavender...” She ticked off possibilities on her fingers. “And maybe some white roses for contrast.”

“You’re already planning,” Philip observed with a smile.

“That’s what flower farmers do,” she replied. “We’re always thinking seasons ahead.”

Philip stood up, pulling her gently to her feet. “And that’s why you’re perfect for this family. We vineyard folk understand planning for the future.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “And you are my future.”

“I know,” she sighed, reluctant to see him go but understanding the demands of his work. “Will you come back tonight?”

“Try and stop me,” he murmured, lowering his head to capture her lips in a kiss that promised much more to come.

As he drove away, Elsbeth hugged herself, watching until his truck disappeared around the bend. Fifty years, she thought. It did seem both impossibly long and not nearly enough time to love Philip Thornberg. But they would make every moment count, starting right now.

With renewed purpose, she headed toward the greenhouse. She had flowers to plant, dreams to nurture, and a future to grow—one bloom at a time.

Chapter Twenty – Philip

Philip’s bear stirred uneasily beneath his skin as a sense of foreboding grew in his mind.Something is coming.

I can’t sense anything,Philip replied as he straightened up and surveyed the transformed landscape of Rose Farm. In the two months since Elsbeth had accepted him—both man and bear—as her mate, the barren fields had erupted into a riot of color that took his breath away. Row upon neat row of flowers stretched before him: bachelor’s buttons in vibrant blue, delicate purple larkspur swaying in the breeze, and his personal favorite, the deep crimson roses that honored Elsbeth’s mother.

“What do you think?” Elsbeth asked, appearing at his side with a basket of freshly cut blooms balanced on her hip. Her cheeks were flushed from the summer heat, while tendrils of hair escaped her practical braid to frame her face. Even with dirt smudged across her forehead and sweat dampening her shirt, she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever beheld.

“It’s incredible,” Philip replied honestly. “You’ve worked miracles here.”

“We’veworked miracles,” Elsbeth corrected. “There’s no way I couldn’t have done this alone.”

“Oh, I think you can do anything you set your mind to.” Philip slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close as he pressed a kiss on her forehead.

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