Page 2 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“That’s what I keep telling him,” Alfie said.

You can’t blame me for wanting to push things along,his bear responded with a disgruntled rumble.

No,Alfie agreed.I cannot blame you for that at all.

“Do you want me to head over to the greenhouse and grab the plants for the gardening project?” Daisy asked. “Mary-Ann will be here shortly to collect them.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Alfie said as he headed for the door. “Could you just check if the roses need dead-heading?”

“Sure thing,” Daisy replied with a mock salute.

Alfie left the seedlings behind and strode toward the large, expansive greenhouse that dominated the eastern side of the property.

His bear perked up as they approached the greenhouse door.Wait…do you feel that?

Feel what?Alfie asked, pushing open the door, and was immediately hit by the humid, earthy air inside.

His bear stirred within him, suddenly alert.Something’s different today. Maybe this is it! This is where Finn’s matchmaking magic will happen.

Alfie chuckled under his breath as he made his way to the back corner, where he’d prepared the trays for the community garden project. It was Finn’s latest community project, something his brother had started to bring the town together, and Alfie was more than happy to contribute with his time, expertise, and plants. Although not today. Saturday was a particularly busy day at the garden center, but he planned to head over there in the week and do whatever he could to help. Growing things and being in nature had always brought him peace, and he hoped to help others find that same sense of calm.

You know Mary-Ann is coming to collect the plants, and we both know she is not our mate,Alfie reminded his bear gently. Mary-Ann Lewis, a lovely woman in her late sixties with a husband of forty years or more, had been helping to run community projects alongside Finn for years. But this garden project particularly appealed to her and her passion for growing things.

His bear huffed but remained restless, pacing back and forth inside his head, mumbling something about matchmaking mix-ups and fate.

Alfie felt a pang of sympathy for his other half. The bear’s longing mirrored his own, even if he was better at hiding it. Wishful thinking would not bring their mate into their lives any sooner.

“The roses are all looking fine,” Daisy said as she followed him into the greenhouse.

“Great, thanks, Daisy,” Alfie replied, carefully lifting one of the trays. “Why don’t you go and grab a cup of coffee before the doors open? I’m sure Welland has a fresh pot on the go by now.”

“If you’re sure...” Daisy’s cheeks flushed as pink as a peony at the sound of Welland’s name.

Now who’s playing matchmaker?his bear asked, with some amusement.

I don’t know what you mean,Alfie thought with a self-satisfied smile as Daisy headed toward the café at the front of the garden center.

He was certain something was brewing between Welland and Daisy, and they just needed a little nudge. Welland had been casting admiring glances at Daisy for months now, and she always seemed to find reasons to visit the café multiple times a day.

It would be nice to see them get their happily ever after, even if we don’t,his bear said wistfully.

It sure would,Alfie murmured as he gathered the rest of the trays and went outside.

However, as he walked back toward the entrance, a strange sensation crept over him. A tingling awareness that started at the base of his spine and radiated outward. Maybe he neededa fresh cup of Welland’s coffee or even a pile of those fluffy pancakes drizzled with wild mountain honey the café was famous for.

No, this was different. This was...

His bear practically leaped to attention inside him, suddenly wide awake and alert.I knew it!She’s close!

The trays in his hands suddenly seemed impossibly heavy. Perhaps because the idea that his mate might finally be here seemed impossible, too.

It’s not impossible,his bear insisted.I can sense her.

Alfie took a couple more steps forward and then carefully set the trays down on the ground. As he straightened up, he stared into the distance, trying to pinpoint her exact location.

What if she drives on past and we never actually meet her?his bear asked.

No,Alfie said,fate would not be that cruel.

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