Page 6 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“Can we come back and see them change?” Charlie asked, then caught himself, the wariness creeping back. “I mean, if that’s okay.” He glanced up at Alfie, unsure of himself.

“Of course. You are always welcome. The garden center is open every day,” Alfie said easily. “The caterpillars would probably enjoy the company. Plants and bugs tend to grow better when people talk to them.”

Charlie’s brow furrowed. “That’s not scientific.”

“Maybe not,” Alfie agreed with a grin. “But I’ve been doing this a long time, and the plants I talk to always seem happier. Could be coincidence, could be magic. Who’s to say?”

Marion watched the exchange, and the tightness in her chest loosened. Charlie was actually engaging, asking questions, showing interest in something beyond his games and his carefully constructed walls.

“We should probably get those plants to the community garden,” she said reluctantly, not wanting to break the spell but aware they’d already been here longer than intended.

“Right, of course.” Alfie stood slowly, brushing his hands on his jeans. “I left them by the entrance. Charlie, would you like to help me carry them out to your car? They’re not heavy, but I could use an extra pair of hands.”

Charlie looked at Marion again, and she could see the internal struggle, his natural caution warring with his newfound interest in this place and, surprisingly, this man.

“It’s up to you,” Marion said gently. “I can help if you don’t feel up to it.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Charlie said, squaring his small shoulders. “I’m strong enough.”

“I bet you are,” Alfie said, leading the way. “The trays have handles on each side. Perfect for team carrying.”

As they walked, Marion noticed how Alfie kept up a gentle stream of conversation about the plants they passed, never demanding responses but leaving openings for Charlie to contribute if he wanted. And increasingly, he did, pointing out a weird-looking succulent, asking about a plant with leaves that looked like purple hearts.

They reached the entrance, where several trays of seedlings waited. Alfie picked up one side of a tray and waited patiently while Charlie positioned himself at the other end.

“On three?” Alfie suggested. “One, two, three, and lift!”

They carried the tray together toward Marion’s car, Charlie concentrating hard on keeping his end steady. Marion hurried ahead to open the trunk with a surge of happiness at the sight of Charlie working alongside Alfie.

“Perfect teamwork,” Alfie said as they settled the tray into the trunk. “Think we can manage two more?”

Charlie nodded, a hint of pride creeping into his expression. “That wasn’t so heavy.”

As they headed back for the second tray, Marion found herself memorizing this moment, the way Charlie’s shoulders had relaxed, how his steps had gained confidence, and the patient encouragement in Alfie’s voice. It was more progress than she’d seen in months of careful coaxing.

“These tomatoes are determinate varieties,” Alfie was explaining to Charlie as they lifted the next tray. “That means they grow to a certain height and stop. Good for beginners because they don’t need as much staking.”

“What happens if they aren’t determine…ate?” Charlie asked, as he carefully pronounced the unfamiliar word.

“Then they keep growing until frost kills them. Like Jack’s beanstalk, except with tomatoes instead of giants at the top.”

Charlie actually smiled at that, and Marion had to turn away, pretending to arrange the first tray in the trunk to hide the emotion overwhelming her.

By the time they’d loaded all three trays, Charlie was chattering about the different varieties, from cherry tomatoes and bell peppers to herbs with names he struggled to pronounce. Marion hadn’t heard him talk this much to a stranger since... Well, since before everything changed.

“Thank you,” she said to Alfie as Charlie climbed back into the car, clutching a small lavender plant Alfie had given him asa companion plant to attract butterflies to the tomatoes. “This was...this was really nice.”

His eyes met hers, filled with warmth and understanding. “Anytime. Really. The butterfly garden is always here, and those caterpillars aren’t going anywhere fast. Well, not too fast.” He glanced at Charlie, who was peering into the trunk at their plant haul. “Plus, I could always use an assistant to help me check on them. Someone to make sure I’m talking to them properly.”

“Could I?” Charlie asked, whipping around to look at Marion. “Could I come back?”

Marion’s throat tightened. “We’ll see,” she managed, which was what she always said when she needed time to think, to weigh the risks against the benefits.

Charlie’s face fell slightly, recognizing the non-answer for what it was. But Alfie stepped in smoothly.

“You’re gonna be kept busy at the garden project, and it would be good to create a habitat for the butterflies there, too.”

“Alfie is right,” Marion encouraged. “The more wildlife places, the better.”

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