Page 7 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

They walked a few yards out to the edge of the field, Finn a few paces behind, snapping a few reference photos on his phone. Philip crouched and pressed his fingers to the earth again, sifting it through his hands as if listening to its story.

As she watched him, something warm pooled in her chest. A deep kind of longing.

He wasn’t flashy. He didn’t try to impress her. But when he looked at the land, it was like watching someone listen. Like he respected it.

“You’ve got a lot of clay here,” he said finally. “It’s workable, but you’ll need to add compost. Mushroom mulch. I have a contact I can give you. That’ll improve the texture. You’ll also want to watch for runoff from that ridge and maybe dig a swale over there.” He pointed to a line that matched her own concern. “But you are right, you will need an irrigation system in place. If not, a long dry spell could ruin your plants.”

Elsbeth glanced at Finn. “Did he just out-architect you?”

Finn grinned. “Happens more often than you’d think.”

Philip stood, brushing his hands on his jeans. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“You didn’t,” Elsbeth said quickly. “That was…helpful. Really helpful.”

And it was. In more ways than one.

Finn leaned back against the fence post. “Told you he was good. Philip knows how to read the land better than anyone I know.”

Elsbeth looked at him, really looked, and something about the way he stood, solid and quiet in the sunlight, made her heart give a traitorous little twist.

It had been so long since she’d looked at someone and feltanything.

But no.No.That wasn’t the plan.

“I appreciate the advice,” she said, forcing a lightness into her voice.

She looked out over the empty field, trying to ignore the voice in her head that told her plans could change. And that there should always be room for love.

Philip followed her gaze. “It will be beautiful,” he whispered. “You can already feel it.”

She swallowed hard.

Yes,she thought.I can.

Chapter Three – Philip

Philip could barely focus.

How could he when his mate was so close?

His mate. It all seemed so…

Unexpected,his bear offered.

Yes,Philip agreed. He thought he was coming here to meet up with his brothers to discuss their mom and dad’s anniversary celebrations, and instead…

We’ve created our own anniversary,his bear remarked.It’s the day we met our mate.

This is certainly a day we will never forget,Philip agreed.

And it’s all thanks to Finn,his bear said happily.

Philip chuckled to himself, thinking about the misdirected text. Finn was definitely going to earn a reputation once people found out he had made another accidental match.

Maybe he can work the same magic for our other brothers,his bear suggested.

And himself,Philip agreed.

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