Page 26 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“Wednesday,” she confirmed, their eyes meeting as that now-familiar spark flickered between them.

“And Alfie?” Marion whispered.

“Yes?”

“I’m glad I got the message by mistake.”

His smile was radiant. “Best mistake ever.”

Marion got into the car, offering him one last smile before pulling away. In the rearview mirror, she could see him standing in the parking lot, watching until they drove out of view.

“I like Alfie,” Charlie announced from the backseat.

“I do, too,” Marion agreed, surprised at how easily the admission came.

As they drove through Bear Creek toward their small rental house, Marion reflected on the day. Charlie wasn’t the only one who had changed this morning. She felt lighter somehow, more hopeful than she had in months.

“The hot chocolate was fantastic,” Charlie said, interrupting her thoughts. “And I like bugs. And plants, too.”

“I noticed,” Marion smiled at him in the mirror. “You were a natural gardener today.”

“Alfie said so, too,” Charlie replied, pride evident in his voice. “Do you think I could grow my own garden? Just a small one?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Marion said. “We could start with a few pots on the back porch.”

“Really?” Charlie’s excitement filled the car. “Can we get some marigolds? For the butterflies?”

“Absolutely.”

When they arrived home, Marion put on a pot of coffee and heated some leftover soup for their lunch.

For the first time since the judge had granted her custody, she truly believed she could do this. She could be Charlie’s mom. Not just his guardian, not just his aunt stepping in during a crisis…but the parent he needed, for as long as he needed her.

“Do you think we could get a magnifying glass, too?” Charlie asked, dipping his grilled cheese into his soup. “Not as good as Alfie’s special one, but maybe our own?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Marion said. “We could start our own collection of interesting things to look at.”

“Like our own nature museum?” Charlie’s eyes widened with excitement.

“Exactly like that,” Marion agreed. “We could even make labels for everything, just like in a real museum.”

As Charlie launched into plans for their nature collection, Marion thought of Alfie’s words and took courage. Perhaps she’d been too hard on herself. Maybe she didn’t need to be perfect. Maybe being present and trying her best was enough.

And maybe, just maybe, having someone like Alfie in their corner would make the journey a little easier.

“Can we text Alfie to tell him about our museum idea?” Charlie asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Marion hesitated. “I don’t have his number.”

Charlie’s face fell momentarily before brightening again. “We can tell him on Wednesday! He might even have ideas for our collection.”

“I’m sure he will,” Marion said, smiling at her nephew’s enthusiasm.

As they finished their lunch and began tackling the boxes in Charlie’s room, Marion found herself looking forward toWednesday with an anticipation she hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just Charlie who was changing. She was changing, too, opening up to emotions she’d closed herself off from long ago.

And it had all started with a message sent by mistake.

Chapter Nine – Alfie

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