Page 47 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
Mrs. Abernathy nodded, satisfied. “Then why are you sitting in my kitchen instead of talking to him about this post?”
The question hit Wren like a slap. Why hadn’t she just called him? Asked him directly? Because deep down, she was afraid of the answer. Afraid that even Finn—steady, honest Finn—might have an agenda she couldn’t see. That he might blindside her and destroy her trust in him.
“I guess I’m afraid of being wrong about him,” Wren admitted quietly. “Of being played for a fool. Again.”
Mrs. Abernathy reached across the table and covered Wren’s hand with her own. Her skin was cool and paper-thin, but her grip was surprisingly strong.
“Listen to me, Wren Hayes. Finn Thornberg is many things…stubborn, occasionally foolhardy, and far too much of a dreamer for his own good…but he is not a liar. And he isnotVince.”
The words brought such relief to Wren that she could cry. But they would be tears of joy, not sadness.
“If he told you that you’re his mate, then that’s exactly what you are. And a Thornberg would cut off his own paw before he’d betray his mate.” Mrs. Abernathy squeezed Wren’s handonce before releasing it. “Talk to him. Ask him about the post. I suspect there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”
Wren nodded slowly, feeling foolish and relieved all at once. “You’re right. I should talk to him.”
“Of course I’m right,” Mrs. Abernathy said crisply, but her eyes twinkled. “I always am.”
Wren smiled, the knot in her stomach loosening. “Thank you.”
“For what? Telling you what you already knew?” Mrs. Abernathy stood, gathering their empty plates. “Now, you should run off and find that bear of yours.”
Wren laughed; the sound surprised her with its lightness. “I’ll help with the dishes. He can wait a little longer.”
Mrs. Abernathy placed a hand on Wren’s shoulder. “Wren, he is a bear shifter, and you are his mate. He’s been waiting for you his whole life.”
“Are you saying I should go to him now?” Wren asked cautiously.
“What does your heart tell you?” Mrs. Abernathy asked.
“Thanks for the tea and talk.” She kissed her godmother on the cheek and ran for the door. Because her heart was telling her to find Finn.
More than that, it was telling her never to doubt him again because they were true mates. Destined by fate to be together.
And who was she to argue with fate?
Chapter Nineteen – Finn
Where was she? As Finn drove back toward town, he pushed out his senses. If she were close enough, he’d be able to feel her presence.
And if we can’t?his bear asked.
If we can’t, it just means she’s running an errand. Somewhere.Finn would not follow that thought any further. He would not even begin to contemplate a world without his mate in it.
If she’d left town, he’d follow her. Go wherever and do whatever it took to get her back, to win her heart, to make her see she could trust him.
You know this could all be one overreaction,his bear said.She might not even have seen the post. And even if she did, she might not have jumped to the wrong conclusion. She trusts us.
Maybe,Finn said, his brow creased with concentrated effort as he tried to pinpoint his mate’s whereabouts.But you know how hurt she is from her past relationship. And with that kind of deep hurt, it’s easy to fall back into old ways of thinking.
His bear was right, of course. Finn pressed down on the accelerator, unable to shake the nagging worry that Wren had indeed seen that post and was now halfway to anywhere but Bear Creek. Then, as he neared the town limits, a familiar sensation washed over him. It started with a tingle at the base of his skull, followed by a warmth spreading through his chest.
Wren.
He gripped the steering wheel tighter, focusing on that sensation. She was in town, and if he had to guess, shewas at Mrs. Abernathy’s house. Relief flooded through him so powerfully that he had to take a deep breath to steady himself.
“She’s still here,” he whispered.
Of course, she is still here,his bear said, but felt the same intense relief.
