Page 16 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“Children know instinctively when something, or someone, is good for them,” Daisy observed, helping him arrange his supplies. “Even when the adults in their lives are more...cautious.”

“Marion has her reasons,” Alfie said, feeling protective of his mate even in her absence. “I just don’t know what they are yet.”

“And you won’t push,” Daisy said, not a question but a statement of faith in his character.

“No,” Alfie agreed. “I won’t push. But I will be there. For both of them.” He picked up the stakes and supplies, balancing themcarefully. “I should get back. I promised Charlie we’d plant the marigolds together.”

“Go,” Daisy said with a smile. “We’ve got things covered here. And Welland is making sure we’re all fed and watered.”

“Are you sure?” Alfie glanced around at the busy greenhouse with a twinge of guilt. He’d never been torn like this before.

We’ve never had a mate before,his bear reminded him. As if he could ever forget.

“Alfie Thornberg.” Daisy fixed him with a stern look that didn’t quite hide her affection. “If you think for one second that I’m going to let you spend your time here when your mate is waiting for you, then you’ve gone completely mad. Now shoo!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Alfie laughed, heading for the door. “Call if there’s an emergency.”

“The only emergency would be if you didn’t go back to that garden project right now,” Daisy called after him. “And if you are all in need of refreshment after your morning at the project, you know where we are!”

“I will,” he promised, smiling at the thought of bringing Marion and Charlie back here. Of sharing a coffee and perhaps some of Welland’s delicious bakes with them.

As he loaded the supplies into his truck, Alfie was struck by the sudden fundamental shift in his life.

All in the space of a single morning,his bear agreed.

Yes,Alfie mused.In so many ways, everything is the same. The garden center, Bear Creek, the mountains…

And yet everything is different,his bear finished.

So very different. Because now there was Marion. And Charlie. And the possibility of a future together.

But he didn’t want to rush ahead. He needed to go slow.

One day at a time,he reminded himself as he started the engine.

One marigold at a time,his bear said happily.

Chapter Six – Marion

“Do you think he’ll come back?” Charlie asked as he placed another stone on the ever-growing pile he was making.

Marion straightened up and placed a hand on the small of her back. She didn’t have to ask who Charlie meant. Even though the question had been asked before, many times, about someone else.

Razor.

But this time, the question was not being asked in fear.

“I’m sure he will,” Marion replied, hoping that Alfie would not let her nephew down.

Because if he did, she feared she might lose another small part of Charlie. The boy had lost so much already.

“I’d like to learn more about soil and growing things,” Charlie said as he carried on sifting out the stones.

“We could learn together,” Marion said.

Charlie looked up at her, considering her words. After a moment, he nodded. “Do you think Alfie will teach us?”

Heat crept across Marion’s cheeks. She could think of no better teacher. Alfie was patient, attentive, and empathetic. Everything she could want in a man.

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