Page 17 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

“Hi there.” Philip squeezed through a row of vines and pulled off the gloves he’d been wearing, his hand outstretched toward Nicole.

It took all Klein’s self-control not to position himself between his cousin and his mate.

“Hi.” Nicole seemed unaware of the tension in Klein’s body as she reached out and shook Philip’s hand. “I’m Nicole.”

“Oh, I know.” Philip cocked an eyebrow at Klein but didn’t say anymore.

Thank goodness, Klein’s bear said. Nicole must wonder why she is the subject of the Thornberg family gossip mill.

Well, hopefully, if I can find a nice quiet spot, we can tell her exactly why, Klein said. Although, with the amount of attention his uncle, aunt, and cousin were giving Nicole, getting her alone somewhere private was not going to be easy.

“You’re the talk of the town,” Philip said, knowing exactly how to press his cousin’s buttons.

“I am?” Nicole asked nervously.

“Everyone is excited that there’s fresh blood in the co-op,” Leanne said, stepping forward and linking arms with Nicole.

Aunt Leanne always did know how to diffuse any tension between us all, Klein’s bear said.

“Lucky man.” Philip punched Klein lightly on the shoulder as Leanne led Nicole toward the rows of vines.

“I am,” Klein replied.

As Philip cracked a grin, there was a flicker of something in his eyes. A sadness that seemed to run soul-deep…

Or a longing, Klein’s bear said. The same look we had each time one of our brothers found their mate while we were left alone.

“It’ll happen for you one day soon, Philip,” Klein murmured to his cousin.

“I don’t know about that,” Philip said, his tone unusually mournful. Then his face brightened, although the smile did not reach his eyes. “Not when all you Thornberg Ranch boys are stealing all the new women in town.”

Klein snorted. “We both know none of us has a say in how this works.”

“No, we just have to leave it to fate,” Philip said. “Nothing crazy about that, is there?”

“Nothing crazy at all.” Klein watched Nicole as she walked ahead with Aunt Leanne, their heads bent together in animated conversation.

“Here, try one of these. We have been cultivating them for the last five years and we finally think we have it right.” Aunt Leanne leaned down and plucked a ripe grape from a bush and handed it to Nicole. “Tell me what you think.”

Nicole lifted the grape to her nose and inhaled deeply before she took a tentative bite. Her eyes lit up as she savored the flavor. “So sweet, and the flavor is incredible. Fruity and tangy. I can’t wait to taste the wine.”

And Klein could not wait to taste her…

“She’s quite something, isn’t she?” Uncle Hugo murmured, coming to stand beside Klein.

Klein nodded, not trusting himself to speak around the lump of emotion lodged in his throat. Nicole was more than just “something.” She was everything he never knew he needed. His mate, his perfect match in every way.

“Well, shall we catch up to the ladies before they get too far ahead?” Hugo clapped a hand on Klein’s shoulder. “As much as I am eager to meet Nicole as your mate, I’m also keen to hear more about her plans for the co-op.”

Klein cleared his throat and managed a rueful smile. “That’s why we are here. Nicole is committed to making the co-op work harder for everyone.”

“And I have no doubt she’ll succeed, with the Thornbergs behind her.” Hugo winked at Klein. “And one particular Thornberg at her side.”

“Let’s hope Nicole wants me by her side when she learns I’m a bear shifter,” Klein replied quietly.

“Of course she will,” Philip reassured him. “As long as you tell her in the right way.”

“And what would the right way be?” Klein asked, intrigued as to what his cousin would say since neither he nor any of his five brothers had found their mate yet.

That doesn’t mean we should not listen to his advice, Klein’s bear replied.

True, Klein said, willing to listen to all the advice he could, so he didn’t mess this up.

“I don’t know. She is your mate,” Philip answered with a smirk.

“Helpful,” Klein replied with a roll of his eyes.

“I think what my son is trying to tell you in his own eloquent way is that every shifter is different, every mate is different, and every bond they share is unique,” Hugo said.

Klein nodded slowly as he absorbed his uncle’s sage advice. Every shifter bond was unique and special in its own way. He would have to trust his instincts and his bear to guide him in how to reveal the truth to Nicole.

But that didn’t make the prospect of revealing his true nature to her any less daunting.

He wanted so badly for Nicole to accept him—all of him, including his bear.

“There you boys are,” Leanne called out playfully. “We were starting to wonder if you got lost. Nicole and I were just discussing some ideas for promoting our wines through the co-op.”

“I can’t wait to hear them,” Hugo said enthusiastically.

“And I cannot wait to taste your wine,” Nicole said eagerly.

Hugo responded with a delighted grin. “In that case,” he said proudly, “why don’t we continue to the winery so you can see the process yourself? After that, we’ll head back to the house.”

Before Nicole could reply, Philip cleared his throat. He hovered a few steps away, one hand resting lightly on a trellis. “I’ll get back to work,” he said, dipping his head toward Nicole. “It was good to meet you. I’m sure you’re going to do an amazing job with the co-op.”

Color touched Nicole’s cheeks, and she offered him a shy but appreciative smile. “Thank you. I’m going to do my best. Everyone I’ve met so far has been so welcoming. I just hope I can live up to your expectations.”

“You already have,” Philip said simply. Satisfied he’d said his piece, Philip turned and walked back through the vines he so carefully nurtured.

He sure has inherited Hugo’s green fingers, Klein’s bear commented, a low rumble of pride and affection in its tone.

Klein nodded inwardly. He has, he agreed, watching his cousin’s retreating figure. I just hope he finds his mate soon. It’s hard seeing that quiet yearning in his eyes.

I hope all our cousins find their mates, his bear said. I want them all to feel as happy as we do.

Happy? Klein thought, glancing at Nicole, who listened intently to his aunt and uncle. Happy doesn’t even come close.

Being near Nicole, breathing the same air, and planning a future with her, made his entire world seem brighter. It was as if she had lit a spark inside him.

No, not a spark. She was a flame that burned hot, warming parts of him he never realized had grown cold.

Klein tore his eyes away from his mate and focused on Hugo, who gestured toward a large, weathered barn at the far end of the vineyard. “So, this is where the magic happens,” Hugo spoke with a showman’s flair, building anticipation as he led them toward the barn, its old wooden doors slightly ajar.

Leanne slipped her arm through Hugo’s and gave him a fond look. “I think Philip might say this is where the magic continues ,” she teased gently. “For him, nurturing the vine is just as important as the winemaking itself.”

Hugo let out a soft chuckle. “You’re right, my dear. Watching a new vine grow, caring for it, seeing it blossom and bear fruit. It’s all part of the miracle.” He sighed, a dreamy note entering his voice. “We put our blood, sweat, and tears into these grapes long before they ever become wine.”

Klein’s bear hummed approvingly. They care about this vineyard as we care about the ranch.

Exactly, Klein agreed. His family’s passion ran in their veins, whether it manifested as raising horses and cattle or coaxing the sweetest grapes from stubborn soil.

And now, standing here beside Nicole, Klein knew his heart’s true passion was something else entirely— her .

Just as Hugo and Leanne poured love into this land, Klein would pour love into Nicole’s life, hoping she would accept him fully, bear and all.

Hugo pushed open the barn door, and a cooler air greeted them, carrying scents of fermentation, oak barrels, and grape juice. Inside, the space had been meticulously converted from an old grain storage building into a working winery. Wooden beams vaulted overhead, and racks of wine barrels stretched along one wall. Small pumps and gleaming stainless-steel vats showed that this was a modern operation, carefully tucked into a rustic shell.

“Welcome to the winery,” Hugo announced, beckoning Nicole closer. “Here we sort and crush the grapes, then guide the juice through its journey to become the vintages we’re known for.”

They were soon joined by Kris, the eldest of Hugo and Leanne’s sons. Kris approached with a measured gait, his gaze assessing yet kind. He was taller than Philip, with neatly trimmed hair and a thoughtful crease between his brows. Klein knew Kris carried the weight of the family legacy on his broad shoulders. He was the one who made sure no detail was overlooked.

“Nicole, this is our son, Kris,” Leanne said, gesturing for him to step forward. “He oversees the entire winemaking process.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Kris said, extending a hand. “I’ve heard you’ve got some interesting ideas for the co-op.”

“I do,” she said, standing a little straighter. “And it helps I have so much to work with.” Her gaze swept lovingly over the old beams and the barrels lined up like soldiers in a row. “This place is incredible. If we can show people its heart as well as its flavors, I believe we can create a truly one-of-a-kind experience.”

Pride surged through Klein’s veins. She got it. She understood people and the pride they took in their craft and creations.

Kris nodded thoughtfully. “That’s what we hope the co-op can accomplish. We want to stand out in what can be a crowded market. We want people to care about the land and the families who work it, just as much as they enjoy the flavors in their glass.”

Hugo nodded, satisfaction evident on his face. “Exactly. A good wine can stand on its own, but a superb wine has a story woven into every sip. And you, Nicole, can help us tell that story.”

“You’re going to make my job a lot easier with that kind of enthusiasm,” Nicole said.

See? he thought. She already belongs here.

Klein’s bear rumbled softly in agreement.

As they stood among oak barrels and steel vats, Klein realized the next step loomed. Telling Nicole about his shifter side might not be easy, but he wouldn’t back down from it. Because loving her meant trusting her, and trusting her meant sharing every piece of his world.

If she accepted him, they would start a new thread of the Thornberg family story.

And what a story that will be! his bear roared.