Page 56 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

“That sounds amazing,” Marion said, genuine excitement in her voice. “I’ve been experimenting with different natural ingredients, but having access to fresh, local flowers would be incredible.”

“It’s settled then,” Elsbeth said. “How about Tuesday? We could make a day of it after you drop Charlie off at school.”

As the women continued chatting, making plans, and sharing ideas, Alfie felt his bear sigh with deep satisfaction.

She’s going to fit right in,his bear thought.Like she was always meant to be here.

Alfie couldn’t agree more. Watching Marion laugh with Elsbeth, and seeing Charlie carefully planting bulbs around their bug hotel, it all felt as if all the pieces of his life had finally come together.

As if they finally made sense.

And what a perfect picture they made.

Chapter Eighteen – Marion

“You look happy,” Charlie announced as he carried his dinner plate to the sink and set it down.

Marion smiled down at him. “So do you.” She could not believe the difference in him. He was so much more open and relaxed. And she swore he’d grown a couple of inches.

Charlie grinned mischievously, leaning against the counter with a knowing look that seemed too wise for his nine years. “Alfie looked happy, too.”

Marion felt her cheeks flush pink, the heat rising to her face unbidden as she thought back over the morning they’d all spent together making the bug corner. “He did. I think he likes bugs as much as you.”

Charlie looked up at her, his expression suddenly serious. “I don’t think it was just the bugs that made him happy.”

“You don’t?” she asked evasively.

Damn, this was hard. She was scared of moving too fast, too soon. Scared that if she pursued a relationship with Alfie, and it all went wrong, Charlie would end up getting hurt, too.

However, she also wanted Charlie to see what good relationships looked like. After witnessing the toxic dynamic between his mother and Razor, he deserved to know that love could be kind, respectful, and nurturing.

“I was thinking of maybe inviting him over for dinner again sometime soon,” Marion said, holding her breath as she waited for Charlie’s answer, though she already knew he would jump at the idea.

“When?” Charlie asked eagerly. “Tomorrow?”

Marion nodded, unable to contain her smile at his enthusiasm as she went back to washing the dishes. “Maybe tomorrow, if he’s not too busy.”

Charlie considered this for a moment, then shook his head confidently. “Idon’t think he’ll be too busy.”

“Me neither,” Marion agreed, surprised by her own certainty. The way Alfie looked at her, made her believe he would rearrange mountains to spend time with them. “Okay, it’s time for you to have a bath and then bed.”

“Off I buzz!” Charlie spun around and ran from the kitchen, making the sound of a bee buzzing, his arms outstretched at his sides. The sight made Marion chuckle as she turned back to the sink and began washing the dishes, her head filled with images of Alfie.

The feel of his touch lingered in her memory. He had no idea of the effect he’d had on their lives, how he’d helped them both open up again after they’d closed themselves off to protect their wounded hearts.

She wished she had the courage to tell him, to open her heart to him completely. To tell him of her past and how much she wanted him to be a part of their future.

As she finished the dishes, the hair on the back of her neck prickled suddenly. Marion froze, her hands dripping soapy water onto the floor. She turned slowly, going to the window and looking out, afraid there might be someone watching. But she could not see anyone lurking out there.

She must be tired, Marion decided, drying her hands on a dish towel. It had been a long day after her sleepless night. Maybe she should have a soak in the bath and an early night.

Upstairs, she found Charlie already in the tub, creating a foamy landscape of bubbles. She kneeled beside the bathtub, smiling as he fashioned a bubble hat and then a bubble beard.

“Look! I’m Santa Claus!” he proclaimed, his face barely visible beneath the mountain of bubbles.

“Very convincing,” Marion laughed, reaching for the shampoo. “Tilt your head back for me.”

As she washed Charlie’s hair and then checked all the dirt was gone from under his fingernails, Marion found herself grateful for these simple moments. She was happy to see him getting his hands dirty, playing outside like a normal child. It was good for children to play in the earth, to connect with nature.

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