Page 29 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“Her name is Marion,” Alfie said, the name sweet on his tongue. “She came to pick up plants for the community garden project. There was a mix-up with the messages—”

“Finn,” Hugo and Leanne said in unison, exchanging knowing looks.

“Yes,” Alfie laughed. “Another one of his famous matchmaking mix-ups.”

“That boy.” Leanne shook her head, but her expression was filled with love. “He’s got a gift, whether or not he wants it.”

“Does he know?” Hugo asked.

“He does,” Alfie confirmed.

“I thought he looked a little shifty over lunch.” Hugo chuckled. “He kept that to himself.”

“I think he’s worried that when words gets out he has helped another brother meet his mate, he’s going to be inundated with requests for matchmaking mix-ups.”

“Well, I’ll put in my request to him now. I have three more sons that need a mate, including Finn himself,” Leanne said. “Not to mention your cousins.”

“And the rest of Bear Creek,” Hugo said. “But enough of that. Come.” Hugo guided them toward the house. “We need drinks. This calls for celebration.”

As they walked up the path to the hacienda, Alfie told them everything about meeting his mate. How he’d sensed Marion’s presence before he’d seen her, the instant connection he’d felt, the way Charlie had warmed to him over butterflies and worms.

“Charlie?” Leanne asked, her expression softening further. “Her son?”

“Her nephew,” Alfie explained. “She’s raising him. I don’t know the full story yet, but I think... I think they’ve been through something difficult.”

Hugo nodded thoughtfully as he held the door open for them. “Many who come to Bear Creek are looking for healing.”

“And find it,” Leanne added, squeezing Alfie’s arm. “Just as you will help them find it.”

Inside, the house was cool and dim after the bright sunshine, and so familiar. He had such happy memories of his childhood, and he hoped he could help give Charlie that same carefree feeling.

We will,his bear said.

Hugo went to the cabinet where they kept the special-occasion bottles, selecting one of the vineyard’s best vintages.

“I was saving this for something important,” he said, examining the label with satisfaction. “I can’t think of anything more important than this.”

As his father opened the wine and his mother gathered glasses, Alfie leaned against the kitchen counter, watching them move around each other with the easy synchronicity of decades living together. This was what he wanted with Marion. This deepunderstanding, this partnership that grew stronger with each passing year.

“When do we get to meet her?” Leanne asked, setting the glasses on the table.

“Wednesday,” Alfie said. “I’m bringing her and Charlie here to collect logs for the bug hotel we’re making at the garden project.”

“A bug hotel?” Hugo’s eyebrows rose as he poured the ruby-red wine.

“Charlie likes insects,” Alfie explained, feeling a rush of affection for the boy. “I thought it would be a good way to help him feel connected to the garden.”

“And to you,” Leanne observed shrewdly, handing him a glass.

Alfie nodded, accepting the wine. “I want him to like me. To know he can trust me. And to understand that he is as much a part of my life as Marion.”

“You’ll get there, son,” Hugo said, raising his glass.

“To Marion and Charlie,” Leanne said, lifting her glass. “And to our son, finding his happiness at last.”

“To Marion and Charlie,” Hugo echoed. “May they find their place in our family.”

Alfie touched his glass to theirs. “To family,” he added.

---