Page 47 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

You tell me since you heard the whole conversation,Alfie replied.

His bear grumbled to himself as he paced back and forth in the back of Alfie’s mind.

But whatever the reason, Marion had not replied to his texts with more than one-word answers, which made it plain she was putting up a barrier between them. But why?

Daisy came into the greenhouse, where he’d hidden himself away, not wanting to speak to people as he dissected his last interaction with Marion.

“Why don’t you go over there and talk to her?” Daisy asked.

Alfie slipped his phone back into his pocket and sighed. “Because I don’t think she wants me to.”

Daisy came to stand next to him. “Are you sure you aren’t reading more into this than you should?”

Alfie shook his head. “No, something has changed. Something happened.”

Maybe something really did happen with Charlie,his bear suggested,and they need time alone.

Alfie pressed his lips together.You might have a point.

Which means Daisy has a point, too,his bear said with a little more hope.Maybe we are reading too much into this.

Alfie placed his hands on the shelf where row upon row of seedlings sat doing their thing. Plants were so much easier to understand than people. Give them the right soil, enough water, and sunlight, and they grow.

But people…

Perhaps if he knew why they had moved to Bear Creek for a fresh start. It would be so much easier to understand Marion’s actions if they knew the truth about what happened to make Charlie so withdrawn, and Marion so untrusting.

“Alfie,” Daisy rested a hand on his shoulder, “there’s no point brooding here. Go for a run, or something. Let off some steam.”

A run!his bear said.That might help.

Alfie looked around. The garden center was quiet; there was only another hour to go until they closed. “Are you sure?” he asked Daisy. “I seem to have been leaving you in charge a lot lately.”

Daisy nodded. “We’re a team. We help each other out. Like you helped me out when I had that...scare.”

Alfie placed his hand over hers, recalling those awful weeks when Daisy had found a lump in her breast. He’d told her to take all the time she needed.

Instead, Daisy had buried herself in work, getting in early, and staying late, until she eventually simply stopped. It was as if she’d simply hit a wall. Alfie had found her curled up on the floor of the greenhouse, unable to move.

He’d sat with her, held her, cried with her. Then he’d taken her home and stayed with her. The next day he’d organized a schedule, so she was never alone unless she wanted to be.

Then when she got the all-clear, he’d celebrated with her. And planted a buddleia bush with her. The same one that attracted the butterflies at the center of the garden center.

“You’re right,” Alfie said, squeezing Daisy’s hand before letting go. “A run is exactly what I need.”

Daisy nodded approvingly. “Go on, then. Clear your head. The garden center will still be here tomorrow.”

Alfie hoped the same could be said of his mate.

She won’t leave town without telling us,his bear insisted.

I hope you’re right.Alfie grabbed his keys from the office and headed out to his truck. He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, deliberately turning away from the direction of Marion’s rental house.

Even so, as he drove through Bear Creek’s main street, he could sense her, feel that invisible thread between them tugging at him, telling him exactly where she was. Both she and Charlie were at home.

He could feel their presence like a beacon, which made his bear stir restlessly.

Just a quick visit,his bear suggested.Just to make sure they are okay.

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