Page 52 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

Alfie caught him easily, his strong arms lifting Charlie in a brief hug before setting him back down. The genuine affection on his face as he looked at Charlie made Marion’s heart twist painfully. Perhaps Alfie truly cared for her nephew, even if his feelings for her had been exaggerated or misinterpreted.

“Hi there,” Alfie said warily as they approached, his eyes searching Marion’s face.

“Morning,” Marion replied stiffly, proud of how steady her voice sounded despite the chaos inside her.

Charlie tugged on Alfie’s sleeve. “Are we going to build the bug corner?”

“I’ve found the perfect spot for it,” Alfie said, his smile returning as he looked down at Charlie. “It’s by the old oak stump where there’s already lots of natural shelter.”

“Hello,” Alfie’s female companion said, extending her hand to Marion with a warm smile.

“Morning,” Marion managed, wishing she could be anywhere else in the world.

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Marion’s face, and then something like understanding dawned on her expression. “I’m Elsbeth, Alfie’s brother’s ma…partner.” She held up her left hand, where a sparkling diamond caught the morning light. “Fiancée. I’m still getting used to being engaged.”

“Oh,” Marion exhaled, the single syllable carrying all her confusion, relief, and sudden, delirious happiness. She felt stupid and giddy and lightheaded all at once.

“Alfie persuaded me to come and help start a cut flower plot,” Elsbeth continued, “Not that I needed much persuading, I love growing flowers. And this garden project is such a wonderful idea. Great for building community spirit.”

“That’s…wonderful,” Marion said, feeling a foolish grin spread across her face. “I mean, yes. Community spirit.”

“And it’s good to finally meet you. And Charlie.” Elsbeth beamed. “Alfie’s told us so much about you both.”

Marion glanced at Alfie, who was watching her with cautious hope in his eyes. “He has?”

“Don’t worry, all good things,” Elsbeth assured her with a knowing smile. “Well, I should head back to my patch. It was lovely meeting you, Marion. I hope we’ll see more of you at the vineyard. Bye, Charlie.”

“Bye,” Charlie said but was instantly distracted by a ladybird on the marigolds.

So, as Elsbeth walked away, Marion found herself alone with Alfie.

“I thought...” Marion began, then stopped, embarrassment washing over her.

“You thought what?” Alfie asked gently, taking a small step closer.

“Thursday, at the garden center,” Marion explained haltingly. “I saw you with Elsbeth, and you seemed so...close. I jumped to conclusions.”

Understanding dawned in Alfie’s eyes. “That’s why you left so suddenly. Why you’ve been distant.”

Marion nodded, unable to meet his gaze. “I feel like such an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot,” Alfie said softly, reaching out to tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You’re cautious. You’ve been hurt before.”

“How did you know?” Marion whispered.

“I recognize the signs,” Alfie replied, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. “My cousin’s son came to them after similar experiences. It takes time to learn to trust again.”

Marion swallowed hard, the kindness in his eyes almost too much to bear. “I should have asked you directly instead of running away.”

“And I should have made my feelings clearer,” Alfie countered, his hand dropping reluctantly from her face. “Marion, there’s no one else for me. There couldn’t be. Not since the moment I met you.”

The sincerity in his voice made her breath catch. “That sounds like something from a fairy tale.”

Alfie smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that made her heart skip. “Bear Creek has a way of making fairy tales come true. If you’re willing to believe in them.”

“I’m trying,” Marion admitted. “It’s just...hard sometimes.”

“We have time,” Alfie assured her, glancing over to where Charlie was carefully examining a beetle crawling across a leaf. “All the time in the world.”

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