Page 27 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

Alfie stood rooted to the spot long after Marion’s car had disappeared around the bend. Even without seeing her, he could sense her presence, a gentle tug that seemed to pull him in the direction her car had taken.

Did you hear her admit she was glad Finn sent the message by mistake?his bear asked, basking in the afterglow of their mate’s company.

I did,Alfie said with a contented sigh.

“It’s good to see you so happy, Alfie,” came Daisy’s voice from behind him.

Alfie spun around. He’d been so engrossed in his mate that he had not sensed Daisy approaching.

That’s what happens when you find your mate,his bear said happily.

“Thanks, Daisy,” he said, unable to stop the grin that spread across his face. “And thanks for taking charge of things this morning.”

“It’s the least I could do,” Daisy replied, moving to stand beside him. “You’ve been good to me, Alfie.”

Alfie looked down at her, this woman who had always been so much more than an employee. “Hey, I don’t know how I would have ever managed without you. You have taught me so much over the years.”

Daisy leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder, her silver hair catching the sunlight. “We make a good team.” She paused, her voice trembling faintly. “When my husband passed, and we had to sell this place, it felt as if...” She cleared her throatand sniffed. “I think if I’d had to leave the garden center, it would have felt like two deaths.”

Alfie slipped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. “Do you ever think you might find love again?”

Daisy chuckled and slapped his chest playfully. “I know what you are doing, Alfred Thornberg.”

Alfie chuckled, feeling the familiar warmth of their friendship. “I think you and Welland are perfectly suited, and I think you would make each other very happy.”

Daisy sniffed again and said, “I don’t want to spoil a good thing.”

“But what if that good thing could be a great thing?” Alfie replied, thinking of the transformation he’d witnessed in Marion and Charlie today. How a chance meeting had bloomed into something full of promise.

“And what about your great thing?” Daisy asked, tilting her head to look up at him with those keen eyes that missed nothing.

“Marion and Charlie are...incredible,” Alfie replied, the words feeling inadequate for the emotions swelling in his chest.

“Your mom and dad are going to be overjoyed,” Daisy said. “That’s three down, three to go.”

“Halfway there,” Alfie said, shaking his head in wonder. “Before Kris met Cassia, my mom was starting to believe none of her six sons would find their mates. But look at us now.”

“Have you told her?” Daisy asked.

“No, not yet. I haven’t had the chance,” Alfie admitted.

“Then why don’t you go and tell them? I can handle things here, and I’m sure they would love to hear the news from you,” Daisy said, straightening up.

“Do you mind?” Alfie asked, even though he knew the answer already.

“No, you go.” She straightened up. “Welland and I can handle things here.” She cracked a smile, and Alfie kissed her on the cheek.

“Thanks, Daisy.”

“Go,” she whispered. And he did, sprinting back to his truck.

She is like a second mother to us,his bear said.

She is,Alfie agreed. He was so lucky Daisy had become a part of his life, a guiding hand that had helped make Bear Creek Garden Center the place it was today.

Alfie reached his truck and got in, his mind already racing ahead to the vineyard, to his parents’ reaction. As he drove away, he could still sense Marion, that invisible thread connecting them growing taut with distance but never breaking.

When he reached the road, he was tempted to turn right and follow her, to close the distance between them. But instead, he turned left and headed home to the Thornberg Vineyard. Yes, even though he had not lived at the vineyard for decades, he still thought of it as home.

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