Page 29 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
It’s another beautiful day in Bear Creek! How about that vineyard visit today?
His bear snorted.Smooth,Romeo. Light, upbeat, no strings.
Finn rolled his eyes as he hit send.Let’s hope it works.
He tucked his phone in his pocket and padded downstairs to the kitchen, the wooden floors cool beneath his bare feet. After fulfilling his duty of feeding his three cats…a duty that Midnight, Rusty, and Shadow had made clear came before Finn’s need for coffee…he filled the coffeemaker and grabbed his favorite mug.
But as he moved around the kitchen, he kept one eye on his phone, waiting, watching for the familiar buzz that told him he’d received a text. The silence stretched, each minute feeling like an hour.
Maybe she is too tired after her late-night music session, his bear fretted. Or maybe she’s too busy calling her manager to tell him she’s written a hit song to bother with us.
Relax,Finn countered, trying to sound more confident than he felt.She’ll answer.
But as his coffee finished brewing, and he poured out a cup of his mom’s special blend, his confidence waned. His bear might be right. Now that Wren had her music mojo back, she might be ready to leave Bear Creek and him behind.
The thought made his stomach turn. But then his phone buzzed, and Finn nearly knocked over his mug in his rush to check it. Rusty paused his morning wash to watch Finn with his amber eyes, passing judgment as Finn grabbed his phone and tapped the screen, and read Wren’s reply.
Sure :)
Relief flooded through him, so powerful he had to grip the counter to steady himself.
See?he told his bear, a grin spreading across his face.She said yes. Our mate wants to spend time with us.
His phone buzzed again, and his stomach dropped.She’s changed her mind,his bear groaned.Brace for heartbreak.
But the message read only:What time?
Finn let out a breath with a whoosh as he quickly checked his calendar. Two client gardens this morning, both needing attention before the spring rains came.
Call in sick,his bear urged.Say you’ve got a fever. Love fever.
No,Finn said firmly, although he found his bear amusing.I keep my promises. That’s how you build trust. And without trust, I would not have a business. And without a business, we could not provide for our mate.
Although Finn suspected Wren was worth more than he could ever hope to earn in a lifetime, thanks to her album sales.
And anyway, Philip and Kris are leaving for the winemakers conference this afternoon, so we’ll have more privacy. Less prying eyes,Finn reminded his bear.
Perfect,his bear said happily.
Finn quickly typed his reply and texted back:Three this afternoon?
The reply came almost immediately:Looking forward to it.
Finn pumped his fist in the air, nearly spilling his coffee.Told you,he crowed to his bear.She wants to spend time with us.
His phone buzzed again:Do I need directions?
He quickly texted:I’ll pick you up.
Okay,came her answer, and suddenly it was the best day of Finn’s life.
His bear snorted happily.She said yes. This is fate, Finn. Don’t mess it up.
How can I when, like you said, this is fate?But he could not deny the nervous energy that flooded his veins. There were a million and one ways this could go horribly wrong. What if he misread her feelings again? What if…
What if it goes right?his bear said, ending the conversation as he settled down to sleep.
The morning passed in a blur of soil and pruning shears. Finn forced himself to focus on his clients’ needs—Mrs. Henderson’s rose garden, the Millers’ new vegetable beds—but his mind kept drifting back to Wren. Every once in a while, he caught himself whistling the tune she’d hummed yesterday, his heart flipping every time he remembered her smile.
