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But now we need to focus on how we tell Elsbeth that she is ours,his bear said.

Philip flexed his fingers against his thigh, grounding himself.We can’t risk rushing this and scaring her.

But she is our mate. How can she be scared of us?his bear asked.

Patience,Philip said, glancing sideways at Elsbeth. It was going to take all his self-control not to simply reach out and pull her close. Every fiber of his being wanted to hold her in his arms, to breathe in her scent and kiss her lips.

Oh, how he wanted to kiss her lips…

“Philip?” Elsbeth’s voice broke through his thoughts. Her brow was furrowed with concern as she studied his face. “Are you sure there isn’t somewhere else you need to be…”

There is nowhere else,his bear roared in his head.Ever!

He cleared his throat. “No, I’m fine. Just...picturing…the future.”

Tell her she is our future,his bear insisted.

“I mean, how the farm will look when your dreams have had a chance to…bloom.” He winced inwardly. It was as if his brain had short-circuited.

“How about we walk the property?” Finn suggested, smothering a smile. His brother knew exactly what was going on here. He’d known the moment he arrived at the Old Larson place and saw Philip and Elsbeth together. “Nothing like seeing things in person to understand them better.”

Philip caught the subtle weight behind Finn’s words. This wasn’t just about learning the lay of the land, it was about learning abouttheirmate: who she was and what she wanted. Philip nodded gratefully.

“That’s a great idea,” Philip managed, rising to his feet, careful not to move too quickly. The last thing he wanted was to appear overeager, despite the way his bear was practically pawing at his insides, desperate to claim their mate.

“That sounds great. I’d love to show you both the rest of the property.” Elsbeth seemed hesitant as she gazed out across the overgrown fields. “Although it’s still rough. I mean, you can barely tell what’s what yet.”

“All things start out a little rough around the edges. But we’re here to help you smooth them out.” Finn smiled. There was no hint of mockery in it and Philip was glad his brother was here. Finn always had a knack for knowing exactly what to say to set others at ease.

Elsbeth exhaled and nodded. “All right. Let’s walk.”

She led them down a narrow dirt path, pushing aside tall grass that brushed against their legs. Philip followed close behind, acutely aware of every movement she made, every breath she took. His bear rumbled contentedly inside him, reveling in their proximity.

“I’m thinking of planting sunflowers along this fence line,” Elsbeth said, gesturing toward an old wooden fence that had seen better days. “They’ll create a natural border and attract pollinators for the other flowers.”

“Smart,” Philip said, finding his voice. “Sunflowers also help detoxify soil. But I expect you know that.”

Elsbeth shook her head as she turned to him. “I didn’t, actually. That’s fascinating.”

“They can pull heavy metals and other contaminants from the earth,” he continued, warming to the subject. Talking about plants was safe ground, familiar territory. “They’re quite remarkable.”

Like you,his bear said, practically drooling over their mate.

“This area over here,” Elsbeth said, pointing to a sheltered patch nestled against a gentle slope, “I’m thinking of dedicating to more delicate blooms. Flowers that need a bit more protection from the elements.”

Philip nodded, his expert eye assessing the location. “Good choice. The hill will block the worst of the wind, and you’ll get morning sun but afternoon shade.” He crouched down, running his fingers through the soil again. The simple act of touching the earth centered him and helped him focus despite her intoxicating nearness.

“Although, I can’t finalize my planting plan until we have set out the drainage,” Elsbeth said, directing her focus to Finn.

Philip experienced a twinge of jealousy but pushed it aside—after all, that was why they were here. For Finn to give his expert advice and draw up the plans Elsbeth needed to help turn her dreams into reality.

“I can design something efficient,” Finn replied, pulling out a small notebook from his back pocket. “Something that works with the natural contours of the land rather than against them.”

Philip watched Elsbeth’s face light up as she and Finn discussed technical details. She was passionate and knowledgeable, her hands moving animatedly as she described her vision. Every gesture, every smile, every thoughtful pause only confirmed what his bear already knew…she was perfect.

Philip rose from his crouched position, brushing the soil from his hands. “What’s your water source looking like?”

“There’s an old well,” Elsbeth said, pointing toward a spot near the barn. “And I’ve been told there’s a natural spring somewhere on the property, though I haven’t located it yet.”