Page 23 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
The sincerity in his voice made something twist in her chest. How many times had Vince apologized with the same earnest expression, only to break her trust again and again?
But Finn wasn’t Vince. The thought surfaced unbidden, surprising her with its certainty. She wanted to believe him. She almost did. But a part of her held back. Once bitten, twice shy.
“Let’s just focus on the garden,” she said, not quite ready to let go of her defenses.
Finn nodded, respecting her boundaries without pushing. He flipped open his sketchbook and gestured toward the far corner of the yard. “What do you think about putting the wildflowers there? The afternoon light would be perfect.”
As they discussed the garden layout, Wren found herself drawn into the conversation, intrigued by Finn’s process as he sketched quick, fluid lines, creating a rough outline of the space.
“What would you put here?” he asked, pointing to a blank area near the fence.
“Maybe lavender?” Wren suggested, surprising herself with her eagerness. “It would attract bees, and the scent is so calming.”
Finn’s face lit up. “That’s perfect. And it would complement the wildflowers without competing.” He added it to the sketch, then pointed to another area. “What about here?”
Before she knew it, they were kneeling together in the grass, heads bent over the sketchbook, debating the merits of different plants and layouts. Finn listened to her ideas, incorporating her suggestions into his drawings, asking for her opinion on everything from stone pathways to the height of garden borders.
The more they talked about sunlight and soil and color, the more Wren felt something stirring inside her—a familiar creative energy she hadn’t felt in months. And with it came a melody, faint at first, then growing clearer with each moment spent in Finn’s company. The tune that only seemed to come alive when he was near.
Their eyes met over the sketchbook, and for a moment, everything else fell away, the misunderstanding at the store, her doubts, her fears.
“Well, don’t you two look cozy,” Mrs. Abernathy observed as she came out carrying a tea tray, which she set down on a weathered garden table. “I take it the planning is going well?”
Wren caught herself smiling, the earlier tension all but forgotten. “Finn sure does have a knack for making people’s dreams come alive.”
“So I see.” Mrs. Abernathy’s knowing smile as she poured the tea made Wren duck her head, suddenly self-conscious about how easily she’d let her guard down again. But when Finn handed her a steaming mug, his fingers brushed hers in a way that sent warmth spreading up her arm, and she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.
“Thank you,” she murmured, not just for the tea.
Finn’s eyes met hers, understanding and relief clear in their depths. “You’re welcome,” he said, and she knew he meant more than just the drink.
And that made her heart sing.
Chapter Nine – Finn
“I think we’ve made a good start,” Finn said as he closed his notebook and slid it back in his pocket. He didn’t want to leave, but he had another appointment in half an hour and he didn’t want to let them down.
His bear sighed.It’s been an amazing morning. Despite the hiccup with Donna.
It has,Finn agreed.And the hiccup with Donna was not all bad.
You mean you liked the way she squeezed your abs?his bear asked in shock.
No,Finn said, horrified at the suggestion he would like any woman other than his mate touching him.But it gave us a chance to let Wren know she is the only one for us.
Oh, she is,his bear swooned as Wren rubbed a sage leaf between her thumb and fingers and then inhaled the scent.
“I think the garden is going to look amazing,” Wren said as she slowly turned in a circle. “I can see it now.”
“Well, once I have drawn up the plans, I’ll make some calculations and then talk to your godmother about costs,” Finn said, then stalled. Was Mrs. Abernathy expecting him to pay for the makeover, too?
“I’d like to pick up the bill,” Wren said quietly, casting a glance toward the house. “It’s the least I can do after she let me stay at Rowan Cottage. She usually rents it out to tourists, and I offered to pay, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”
“You’re like family to her,” Finn drew closer to Wren.
And Wren is like family to us,his bear murmured.
“She’s always been so supportive; she’s the one person I can always depend on,” Wren said. “So, I’d like to do this for her as a thank you. Not that I want her to know…”
