Page 54 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“Why not?” Charlie asked as he straightened up.

“Because I got you your own special magnifying glass and a book to help you identify all the bugs and plants…” Alfie beckoned to Charlie. “It’s in my truck. Want to go and get it, and we can grab some of the logs we collected and bring them over?”

“My own magnifying glass?” Charlie asked.

“If that’s all right with your aunt?” Alfie asked, realizing he hadn’t asked Marion if it was okay.

“As long as I get a turn,” Marion said.

“Of course,” Charlie answered.

“Okay then.” Marion mouthed,thank you, at Alfie.

“Let’s go!” Charlie said with his usual enthusiasm as he caught hold of Alfie’s hand and propelled him toward the truck.

This is going to be the best bug corner ever,Alfie’s bear predicted.

When they reached the truck, Alfie lowered the tailgate and reached for a wrapped package tucked behind the driver’s seat. “This is for you,” he said, handing it to Charlie.

Charlie’s hands trembled slightly as he unwrapped the gift, revealing a professional-grade magnifying glass with a sturdy handle and a field guide to insects and plants.

“Wow,” Charlie breathed, holding the magnifying glass up to examine it closely. “It’s perfect. Thank you, Alfie.”

“You’re welcome, buddy. Every serious naturalist needs proper equipment,” Alfie said.

“What’s a naturalist?” Charlie asked.

Alfie smiled, crouching down to Charlie’s level. “A naturalist is someone who studies plants, animals, and insects in their natural environment. They observe how everything in nature works together. How plants provide food and shelter for insects, and how insects help pollinate plants. Naturalists are like nature’s detectives, always curious, always watching and learning.”

Charlie’s eyes lit up. “That’s what I want to be! A naturalist!”

“I think you’re already on your way,” Alfie said, ruffling Charlie’s hair. “Now, let’s grab these logs for our bug corner.”

As Charlie eagerly began selecting pieces of wood from the truck bed, Marion stepped closer to Alfie. She reached for a log, her arm brushing against his.

“You know,” she whispered, her voice quiet enough that only Alfie could hear, “you’re a natural with Charlie. The way you explain things, how you encourage his curiosity...it’s exactly what he needs.”

Alfie turned toward her, their faces suddenly inches apart. He leaned in slightly, inexplicably drawn to her.

“Get a wriggle on, you two!” Charlie called out, already dragging a sizable log across the garden. “The bugs are waiting!”

They broke apart, both laughing at Charlie’s enthusiastic command.

“You heard the naturalist,” Marion said with a smile, grabbing an armload of smaller branches.

I want to have a whole brood of naturalists,Alfie’s bear said.

Now, that sounds like a plan,Alfie said as he loaded his arms with some of the larger logs. Side by side, they carried their bounty back to the oak stump where Charlie was already arranging his log with intense concentration.

For the next hour, they worked as a team, creating a complex structure of logs, branches, and hollow stems. Alfie showed Charlie how to stack the wood to create different-sized gaps and tunnels.

“The smaller spaces are for tiny insects,” he explained, “while these larger chambers might attract beetles or even solitary bees.”

Marion added handfuls of dried leaves and pine needles to some of the spaces. “Cozy bedding,” she said with a wink at Charlie. “You know bugs like to snuggle.”

“Do they?” Charlie asked.

“Hmm, maybe I am getting mixed up with boys.” Marion rubbed her chin in thought.

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