Page 51 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

Everything had seemed so perfect, so promising. And now...

“Aunt Marion?” Charlie’s voice pulled her back to the present. “Are you okay?”

Marion turned, forcing a smile. “Of course, buddy. Just thinking about all the bugs we’re going to help today.”

Charlie’s eyes narrowed as he studied her before returning to his cereal with renewed enthusiasm.

Marion leaned against the counter, watching her nephew. For him, she would face Alfie. For him, she would put on a brave face and pretend her heart wasn’t breaking. And somehow, she would find the strength to rebuild the walls that Alfie Thornberg had so effortlessly dismantled.

Because that’s what she did. That’s what she had always done.

A half-hour later, they were heading out the door, Charlie practically bouncing with each step while Marion’s feet felt leaden. She locked up behind them, her keys jangling in trembling hands.

“Do you think we’ll finish the bug corner today?” Charlie asked, buckling himself into the backseat.

“Maybe,” Marion replied, trying to infuse her voice with an enthusiasm she didn’t feel. “But I think the bug corner will evolve.”

“Like dinosaurs evolved from reptiles?” Charlie asked.

Marion chuckled. “Something like that. What I mean is that I don’t know if the bug corner will ever be finished because there will always be things to add to it, and bits of it that need maintaining.”

“Cool,” Charlie replied, nodding as he looked out of the window. “I’d like to keep working on it and helping it evolve.”

When they pulled into the community garden parking area, Marion’s heart lurched painfully. Alfie’s truck was already there, parked beneath a sprawling oak tree. For one brief, treacherous moment, excitement fluttered in her chest at the thought of seeing him again. Then anxiety crashed over her like a wave, leaving her breathless.

“Come on!” Charlie called, already unbuckling and reaching for the door handle.

Marion took a steadying breath. “Wait a second. Remember, there are other cars.”

“Okay.” Charlie got out of the car and then waited for her to grab her tote bag and gardening gloves. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” she replied, hitching her bag higher on her shoulder.

They walked together toward their plot, Charlie skipping ahead while Marion’s steps grew heavier with each passing moment. When they reached their section, she scanned the area, relief and disappointment warring within her when she didn’t see Alfie anywhere.

Charlie looked up at her, his expression falling. “Where’s Alfie?”

Marion swallowed hard, hating how her nephew’s excitement dimmed. “I’m sure he’s just busy helping others,” she said, forcing a smile. “There are a lot of gardeners here today.”

Charlie nodded, but his shoulders slumped slightly. The sight confirmed her deepest fears. If she let Alfie further into their lives and things went wrong, Charlie would be the one hurt most. Just like with Razor. Just like with Heather.

“Let’s check on our tomatoes while we wait,” Marion suggested, desperate to distract him.

Charlie crouched beside the plants, his expression brightening. “Wow! They’ve grown so much!”

“They certainly have,” Marion agreed, genuinely surprised by how much the plants had flourished in just one week.

Just like Charlie,she thought with a bittersweet smile.

As Charlie counted the tiny green tomatoes forming on the vines, Marion glanced around the garden again and froze. Across the way, near the new greenhouse, stood Alfie with the same woman from Thursday. They were laughing together, the woman’s hand resting casually on Alfie’s arm.

Nausea rose in Marion’s throat. She wanted to grab Charlie’s hand and flee, to protect them both from further heartbreak. The woman leaned in to say something to Alfie, and he nodded, his face lighting up with that warm smile that had once been directed at Marion.

Oh no! They were heading this way. Together.

Marion stood rooted to the spot, willing her face to remain neutral as anger and hurt bubbled inside her. She knew it wasn’t fair to blame Alfie. He’d never actually promised her anything. But that kiss! Had it meant nothing to him? Did he go around kissing all the women in Bear Creek?

“Alfie!” Charlie’s shout cut through her spiraling thoughts. Before she could stop him, he was racing across their plot and launching himself at Alfie with complete trust and abandon.

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