Page 17 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

She mentally shook herself. She was not interested in romance. They had moved to Bear Creek for a fresh start, and she planned to focus entirely on Charlie. And anyway, how could she ever trust her heart to a man who made plant puns? It was obvious Alfie was a nice guy, but not a serious guy. And she needed serious, she needed sensible...

But when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she turned to see his truck pulling into the parking lot, her heart gave a treacherous jolt that said perhaps Alfie and his puns were exactly what she needed.

“He’s here!” Charlie ran a couple of steps forward, dropped the two stones he’d been carrying on the pile, and then jogged away to meet Alfie.

Marion opened her mouth to shout a warning, to call him back, but then she clamped it firmly shut. This was what Charlie needed, a new focus, and plants were so much better than some of the alternatives.

As Marion brushed the dirt off her hands and followed Charlie to meet Alfie, resisting the urge to run, she felt lighter. As if today was a turning point. That at last the past was behind them and they had a bright future ahead.

Alfie was heading toward them, his arms loaded with supplies, when Charlie reached him.

“Whoa there,” he laughed as Charlie skidded to a stop. “Do you want to help me carry these?” He nodded toward the collection of stakes, twine, and a tray of bright marigolds balanced precariously in his arms.

“Are those for us?” Charlie asked, reaching for the tray of flowers.

“They sure are,” Alfie said, carefully transferring the marigolds to Charlie’s waiting hands. “I promised you butterfly attractors, didn’t I?”

The boy’s face lit up as he examined the bright orange and yellow blooms. “They’re so bright!”

“That’s how they catch the butterflies’ attention,” Alfie explained, adjusting his hold on the remaining supplies.“Butterflies are attracted to bright colors, especially yellows and purples.”

Marion approached more slowly, watching the easy interaction between them. Charlie was actually smiling. A real smile that reached his eyes. When was the last time she’d seen that?

“Need a hand?” she asked, reaching for some of the stakes Alfie was juggling.

“Thanks,” he said, their fingers brushing as she took them. That same jolt of awareness shot through her, and from the way his eyes widened slightly, she knew he felt it, too.

“I brought everything we’ll need,” Alfie said, clearing his throat. “Stakes for the tomatoes, twine to tie them up as they grow, some organic fertilizer, and of course, the marigolds.”

“And tools?” Marion couldn’t resist asking, one eyebrow raised.

Alfie’s cheeks colored slightly, but his smile remained steady. “Those, too. Trowels, a small rake, even some gloves for Charlie.”

“You thought of everything,” she said, impressed.

“I tried to,” he admitted. “I wanted to make sure you both had what you needed.”

There was something in his voice, a sincerity that made her defenses waver. No one had simply given her what she needed in a very long time. She’d been the one giving, supporting, fighting for Charlie when no one else would.

“Let’s get these planted then,” she said, turning back toward their plot to hide the tears pricking her eyes.

As they walked, Charlie proudly carrying the marigolds, Alfie fell into step beside Marion.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For coming back.”

“I said I would,” he replied as if it were the simplest thing in the world. As if promises were always kept, and people always returned when they said they would.

“People don’t always do what they say,” Marion said, the words slipping out before she could stop them. She felt exposed suddenly, vulnerable in a way she hadn’t allowed herself to be in years.

Alfie paused mid-step, his expression thoughtful rather than offended. “No,” he agreed. “They don’t. But I’m a reap what you sow kind of a guy.”

The honesty in his voice caught her off guard. She’d expected him to defend himself, to insist he was different. Instead, he simply acknowledged the truth of her statement.

Marion kept her eyes on Charlie, who darted ahead, eager to get back to the plot with his tray of marigolds. She never shared a part of herself with anyone. Not since Heather had thrown her concerns back in her face, accused her of jealousy, of trying to ruin her happiness with Razor.

What was happening to her? What was this man doing to her?

Nothing. He wasn’tdoinganything to her. Alfie was just being Alfie. Marion glanced sideways at him and had the sudden thought that he was the most genuine person she had ever met. Puns and all.

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