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He pressed another seedling into its new home, tamping down the soil with perhaps more force than necessary. Their relationship was too new, too fragile, to risk any missteps.

I miss her,his bear said plaintively.And Charlie.

I know,Alfie sighed, straightening to stretch his back.I miss them, too.

It was ridiculous how much he missed someone he’d spent less than a day with. And yet the feeling was undeniable, like a piece of himself had driven away in that car with Marion and Charlie. Today, for a few precious hours at the vineyard, he would feel whole again.

If you would just tell her we are mates and meant to be together forever, then we would be complete always,his bear pointed out, not for the first time.

And that wouldn’t freak her out at all,Alfie replied dryly.Nothing says ‘I’m completely normal and trustworthy’ like declaring eternal love after one coffee date.

But when she knows we are fated mates, she will understand,his bear said.

The greenhouse door creaked open, and Alfie looked up to see Daisy entering, her arms full of empty seed trays.

“I can finish up here,” she offered, setting down her load on a nearby workbench.

“I’m nearly done,” Alfie said, carefully pressing the compost down around a tiny seedling.

Daisy studied him with knowing eyes. “You aren’t going home to change first?”

Alfie glanced down at his t-shirt, which read “I PLANT TO BE DIFFERENT” across the chest, complete with a small illustration of a seedling.

“No,” he replied, suddenly self-conscious. “Why, do you think I should?”

He’d always been apun-loving guy. He enjoyed how they brought smiles to most folks’ faces. But now he wondered if his casual attire was too unprofessional, too childish for someone like Marion.

Daisy reached out and brushed dirt from his shoulder. “No, I guess Marion should get used to you just the way you are.”

“Charming, adorable, and patient?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Daisy chuckled. “Let’s go with that.”

Alfie straightened up and held out his hands. “Maybe you could take over. I don’t have time to get changed, but I should go get washed up.”

“Good idea,” Daisy nodded. “Scrub under your fingernails.”

“I will.” Alfie chuckled and walked away, heading for the washroom. He quickly scrubbed his hands, paying special attention to the dirt that always seemed to find its way under his nails. He splashed water on his face and ran damp fingers through his hair, trying to tame the wayward strands.

Studying his reflection in the mirror, he wished he’d thought to bring a change of clothes, but it was too late now. After waiting what felt like an eternity to see Marion again, he was out of time.

He headed out of the garden center, crossed the parking lot to his truck, and climbed inside, feeling a flutter of butterflies in his stomach. What if Charlie wasn’t as enthusiastic about thebugs as he had been on Saturday? What if the evening ended in disaster and he lost his mate before he even truly had her?

It’ll be fine,his bear assured him.Charlie is still going to be enthusiastic about bugs and plants. It was obvious how enthralled he was.

Alfie nodded in agreement. The boy had reminded him so much of himself as a kid. The same wonder at the natural world, the same careful attention to details others might miss.

He drove over to Marion’s rented house and parked in the driveway, taking a deep breath before cutting the engine. But he hesitated as he reached for the door, as the sudden enormity of the situation hit him. What if he messed this up and lost them forever?

Before he could overthink things any further, the front door opened, and Charlie burst out, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Alfie! You’re here!” the boy called, racing down the steps. “Come see what we made!”

Marion appeared in the doorway behind him, smiling at her nephew’s enthusiasm. When her eyes met Alfie’s, that now-familiar jolt of connection shot through him.

“Hi,” she said simply, but the warmth in that single word was enough to chase away any lingering doubts.

Alfie stepped out of the truck, grinning. “Hi yourself.”