Page 3

His bear snorted.Are you sure? It’s already made us wait decades to meet her.

Yes, I’m sure,Alfie said as he took a faltering step forward, then another.

I hope you are right,his bear said with growing anxiety.

She was getting closer. He could sense her, and with each heartbeat, that sense of her grew stronger. Surely, she must be coming to the garden center. And if she was…

She likes plants,Alfie thought giddily.

His bear snorted.Of course, she does. She is our mate.For his mate not to like plants would be therealcruel twist of fate.

There!A car turned off the road, heading for the parking lot in front of the garden center. It was her! Alfie’s sense of anticipation grew until he thought he might explode.

She is here,his bear said.

See? I told you we did not need Finn,Alfie said.

Maybe our brothers and cousins will go a little easier on him,his bear said.

But then all thoughts of Finn were swept from their minds as the car came to a stop, and a woman got out. His woman. His mate!

Alfie stood frozen by the entrance, his heart hammering against his ribs like it wanted to break free.

It was not the only thing wanting to break free. His bear was so near the surface Alfie had to fight for control.

We have waited so long,his bear whispered in awe.

Alfie couldn’t respond. His throat had gone dry, and his palms were suddenly damp with sweat. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, dreaming about, and now that it was here, he found himself utterly unprepared.

The woman, his mate…boy, that word sounded good!...his mate reached back into her car and pulled out a canvas tote bag. She slung it over her shoulder and started walking toward the garden center entrance, her steps purposeful.

Go to her,his bear urged.What are you waiting for?

But Alfie’s feet seemed rooted to the spot.What if I scare her off? What if she’s not ready to meet her mate? What if…

His bear let out a frustrated growl.If you don’t move, I will.

That was enough to jolt Alfie into action. The last thing he needed was his bear taking control and bounding up to the woman like an overeager puppy. He forced himself to move, stepping into her line of sight.

She stopped when she saw him, her head tilting slightly to one side as their eyes met across the distance. For a heartbeat, theworld around them seemed to fall away—the garden center, the mountains, Bear Creek itself, all of it fading into insignificance compared to…her, and the connection they shared.

Which he was certain she felt, too.

Didn’t she?Alfie’s confidence faltered as she rolled her shoulders and glanced back toward the car.

Is she thinking of making a run for it?he asked his bear.

If she is, you’d better do something to stop her,his bear replied.

“Can I help you?” Alfie asked in his best customer care voice.

He winced. His mate wasn’t a customer, she was his life, as vital as the air he breathed.

“Maybe…” she began.

Definitely,added his bear.

Their mate unhooked her tote bag and fished inside before producing her phone. “I’m here to pick up some plants for the garden project.”