Page 22 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

I like everything about you,his bear said to Marion even though she could not hear him.

“This place is even bigger than I thought,” Charlie said, his eyes wide as they walked deeper into the sprawling garden center with its greenhouse domes and outdoor displays.

“It does have a way ofgrowingon you,” Alfie replied, unable to resist the pun.

Marion rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips told him she wasn’t truly annoyed. “I should have expected more plant jokes.”

“They grow on you, too,” he said with a wink and was rewarded with that laugh again. The one that made his bear rumble with satisfaction.

Maybeweare growing on her, too,Alfie’s bear said.

A shifter can dream,Alfie replied.

“The café’s this way,” Alfie said, leading them past displays of hanging baskets and patio furniture.

They rounded a corner, and the café came into view, a light and airy space with rustic wooden tables, hanging plants creating natural dividers between seating areas, and large windows that let in streams of sunlight. The scent of coffee and baked goods mingled with the garden center’s earthy aroma, creating something uniquely comforting.

“Alfie!” Welland’s booming voice carried across the space. The white-haired café owner waved from behind the counter, a wide grin on his face. “And you’ve brought guests!”

Daisy’s already told Welland about Marion, hasn’t she?Alfie’s bear asked.

Oh yeah,Alfie said, hoping the news hadn’t spread too far. He kind of wanted to tell his mom and dad himself. But he knew how fast good news traveled in Bear Creek. And a shifter meeting their mate was always good news.

“Welland, this is Marion and Charlie,” Alfie said as they approached. “They’re working on the community garden project and have earned themselves some of your famous cake.”

“Welcome, welcome!” Welland beamed, his eyes twinkling with pleasure. “Any friend of Alfie’s is a friend of mine. And first-time visitors get the special treatment.”

“What’s the special treatment?” Charlie asked, his natural curiosity overcoming his shyness at meeting someone new. But then Welland had always had a way with people.

“Extra whipped cream on the hot chocolate.” Welland leaned down conspiratorially. “And marshmallows and sprinkles,” he added with a wink.

Charlie’s eyes widened, and he looked up at Marion as if unable to believe their good fortune. She nodded her permission, and his face broke into a smile that made Alfie’s heart clench.

“Thank you,” Charlie said politely.

“My pleasure,” Welland replied, straightening up. “Now, why don’t I take your orders, and then you all take that table by the window? Best view in the house.”

“So,” Marion said once they’d placed their orders, coffee and lemon drizzle cake for her, a chocolate cake and hot chocolate for Charlie, and coffee and a slice of apple pie for Alfie. “How long have you owned the garden center?”

“More years than I care to remember,” Alfie replied, leaning back in his chair. “But this is all I ever wanted to do.”

“You must really love it,” she observed.

“I do,” he admitted. “There’s something about helping things grow, about being part of that cycle of life. Itgroundsme.” He smiled, unable to resist. “Literally and figuratively.”

Marion groaned at the pun, but there was laughter in her eyes. “Do you live here, too? At the garden center?”

“I have a cabin up in the mountains,” Alfie said, thinking of his simple, comfortable home nestled among the pines. “It’s small, but it suits me.”

For now,his bear added silently.

“And all your family is here in Bear Creek?” Marion asked, her fingers tracing patterns on the wooden tabletop.

“Yes,” Alfie nodded. “My parents have a vineyard in the mountains. A couple of my brothers work there. The rest live locally.”

“You could say your family isrootedin Bear Creek.” Marion smiled up at him through her lashes.

“Oh!” Alfie cracked a grin. “I see what you did there.”

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