Page 34 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
The hacienda was even more beautiful up close. Terra-cotta pots overflowed with vibrant flowers, and the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the whitewashed walls. Wren breathed in the scent of roses and sun-warmed stone as they stepped onto the wide veranda.
“Come in, come in,” Leanne urged, holding the heavy wooden door open.
“Thank you,” Wren said as she stepped inside.
The interior was cool and inviting, with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams. Family photos lined the hallway, the faces of generations of Thornburg smiling back at her. Wren spotted Finn immediately in several frames, from a gap-toothed boy holding a fishing rod to a teenager with an arm slung around his brother’s shoulders.
“Come through to the kitchen,” Leanne said, leading them through an arched doorway.
The kitchen was obviously the heart of the home, spacious and warm, with copper pots hanging from a rack and herbs growing in pots along the windowsill. A large wooden table dominated the center, its surface marked with years of family gatherings.
Hugo moved to a wine rack that covered one wall, his fingers dancing over the bottles before selecting one with a satisfied, “Ah!”
“Good vintage?” Finn asked with a wink at Wren, who smiled shyly.
“Yes. Our 2018 Chardonnay,” he announced, holding it up to the light streaming through the window. “Lovely mineral notes with just a hint of oak.”
“Why don’t you open it and let Wren appreciate it for herself?” Leanne teased as she set out four crystal glasses on the table.
Hugo carefully uncorked the Chardonnay, the soft pop echoing in the warm kitchen. Wren watched as he poured the pale golden liquid into each glass with practiced precision. The wine caught the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows, transforming into liquid amber.
Finn took two glasses from the table, his fingers purposefully brushing hers as he handed one to Wren. The brief contact sent that now-familiar spark racing up her arm. She accepted the glass, trying to ignore how her pulse quickened when their eyes met.
Hugo passed a glass to Leanne, with the look of love that had grown deeper with each passing year. It was beautiful to witness,and Wren felt a pang of longing for something she’d never known.
Hugo raised his glass, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “To new friends, old vines, and unexpected beginnings,” he said, his voice rich with warmth. “The best things grow slowly and strong.”
As she touched her glass to Finn’s, and their eyes met, she knew he could give her that same kind of love. If only she were brave enough to reach out and take it.
Chapter Thirteen – Finn
Finn drove the winding road back to Rowan Cottage with his heart lighter than it had been in years.
And there is no need to guess why,his bear said happily.
No need to guess at all, because the reason for his happiness sat beside him, gazing out the window with a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. The scent of her, the nearness of her, her very presence, filled him with joy.
Did you see how Mom and Dad looked at her? Like they already knew she was our mate,Finn said.
Oh, they knew,his bear said.But thankfully, they chose to keep it to themselves and not put us in an awkward position.
They must have realized that Wren doesn’t know,Finn replied.
Of course, they realized,his bear said.Because if she knew we were mates, we’d have told them. And we didn’t. Simple.
Simple.Finn grinned to himself as he turned onto the narrow road that led to Rowan Cottage, even though there would be nothing simple about telling Wren they were mates. But he didn’t want to dwell on that now. He wanted to enjoy this moment. And every other moment he spent with his mate.
She’ll understand,his bear insisted.Because she feels it, too.
His bear was right. He saw it in her eyes when they touched. She experienced the same sense of connection, but she simply didn’t know what it was.
But something had shifted today. As if she were ready to learn, ready to let him in.
The gravel crunched beneath the tires as Finn pulled up to Rowan Cottage and cut the engine. He didn’t want this day to end. He didn’t want to leave her here and drive away.
“Thanks for showing me the vineyard,” Wren said, unbuckling her seatbelt. “Your parents are wonderful.”
“They liked you.” Finn ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck, unable to stop the shy, boyish smile that stretched across his lips. “A lot.”
