Page 25 of Fire Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #1)
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Eliana stood in front of the full‐length mirror in her farmhouse bedroom. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, creating warm patterns across the hardwood floor. Tonight was special. She and Ash had planned a date at Fate Mountain Lodge, a place they had not visited together since the early days of their relationship. She’d packed an overnight bag because Ash had also booked them a suite.
She turned sideways, checking that the dress clung in the right places and flowed where it should. She ran a brush through her hair one last time. There was an excited flutter beneath her ribs, half anticipation and half reflection on everything that had happened in recent months.
She and her orchard staff had worked tirelessly to clear debris and nurse her trees back to life. She felt immense gratitude for the quiet winter ahead, when the business would revolve around cider sales and planning for spring.
She had given up trying to piece together who had orchestrated the attacks. No new evidence had surfaced, and the criminals themselves had claimed they did not know who funded them. Detective Parker thought it might be organized crime or a nefarious corporation.
Eliana had spotted Mateo walking the perimeter earlier that day. She had seen him carrying a clipboard, his walk steady and confident. He was fully recovered from his injuries and had become the orchard’s part-time security coordinator, as well as overseeing their online presence.
Eliana felt a surge of pride seeing him embrace those responsibilities after everything he had been through. At least that was one positive outcome: he had found an even deeper sense of purpose.
Talia, too, had been a cornerstone of support. When Eliana thought about the days after the fires, she recalled Talia’s unwavering presence. Her friend had stayed up late more times than Eliana could count, helping to organize staff rotations and contacting local suppliers to replace ruined equipment.
Gerald had been with the orchard since her grandparents’ time, and his gruff words of encouragement had always been a comfort. During the darkest days after the fire, he stayed late every night to help pack shipments.
Those memories flooded Eliana with warmth. Between Mateo’s recovery, Talia’s friendship, and Gerald’s loyalty, Eliana knew she was fortunate. Even the orchard’s finances, after all those harrowing weeks, had stabilized, and she would head into winter with more than enough revenue from the harvest to pay her staff, recover from the fires, and continue developing her business.
She heard the distant rumble of a truck engine and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Her pulse kicked up a notch. Smiling, she draped a thin shawl over her shoulders, grabbed her purse, and stepped out into the hallway.
As she passed by a picture of her grandparents planting the orchard’s first trees, she touched the frame gently. It felt like they were still with her, guiding her even in these calmer times. She whispered a silent thanks for their legacy.
When she reached the living room, she heard Ash’s footsteps on the porch, and then a gentle knock sounded at the door. Eliana smoothed her dress and opened it to find Ash standing there, a neat button-down shirt accentuating his broad shoulders.
He offered a warm smile that deepened the faint creases near his eyes. The sight of him made her heart skip. He held a small bouquet of roses, their petals a vivid autumnal orange-red. “You look beautiful,” he said, offering her the roses.
She felt her cheeks warm and accepted the flowers, leaning in to brush a quick kiss against his cheek. “Thank you.”
The drive to Fate Mountain Lodge took them through winding roads framed by tall evergreens. Leaves drifted across the asphalt, vibrant flashes of gold and crimson. After Ash parked in front of the lodge, the two of them walked through the front doors and stepped into the foyer.
The atmosphere was cozy, with plush seating arranged around a stone fireplace crackling softly. She glanced around, noting how tasteful autumn decorations adorned the tables: small gourds, dried leaves, and centerpieces of dried flowers.
They stepped into the main dining room of the restaurant where rustic beams curved overhead. The ma?tre d’ led them to a secluded table near a large picture window, which offered a breathtaking view of the lake below. A crisp white tablecloth draped the table, and a slim vase held a single, flickering candle that danced gently whenever a server passed.
A subtle hum of conversation and low music formed a quiet backdrop, adding to the lodge’s intimate charm. Eliana ran her fingertips over the linen napkin, soaking in the moment.
Once they settled, a friendly waiter greeted them and described that evening's specials. After they ordered, their conversation drifted naturally to the orchard. Eliana explained that Talia had declared this year’s yield one of the orchard’s best in recent memory. She recounted how she walked the rows earlier that week, marveling at the resilience of the trees and the staff’s dedication.
Soon, their entrées arrived. Eliana had chosen the grilled salmon, garnished with foraged herbs and served over a creamy risotto flecked with sautéed morel mushrooms. Ash had gone with the lodge’s signature filet mignon, perfectly medium-rare, accompanied by roasted baby vegetables and a rich red wine jus. He cut into the tender steak and took a bite, nodding in quiet appreciation.
“This,” he whispered, “is going to ruin me for ordinary food.”
Eliana laughed under her breath, her eyes shining. Between mouthfuls, she shared small stories about orchard staff who had gone above and beyond. The candlelight caught the edges of Ash’s profile, making the moment feel almost surreal to Eliana.
They ended their meal with a sumptuous chocolate dessert that Ash had secretly ordered. The waiter brought out a plate adorned with three miniature chocolate creations: a molten lava cake, a mousse topped with toasted hazelnuts, and a dark chocolate truffle rolled in cocoa powder. Eliana sampled each, her eyes widening at the blend of rich flavors. A cozy warmth spread through her when she was done, and she leaned back contentedly in her chair.
After dinner, they went upstairs to their suite. Eliana’s bouquet of fresh roses were arranged on the table, and their suitcases were tucked in the closet. Ash gestured toward a pair of doors at the far side of the suite that led to a small balcony. “Let’s have a look outside. The view is supposed to be amazing.”
She followed Ash across the room, and they stepped through the sliding glass door onto the balcony. The air outside was crisp, but she was warm in her thick wool shawl. The lodge’s lights cast a soft glow across the trimmed gardens. Beyond the gardens lay Lake Fate, and the moon glowed down on its shimmering waters. Eliana inhaled deeply, the fresh air filling her lungs.
Ash reached out to take her hand, his grip warm and steady. Eliana found herself staring at the reflection of the bright moonlight in his eyes. “I am so incredibly thankful that you are my mate. You are an incredible woman.”
Eliana’s throat tightened. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, and she fought to keep them from spilling over. “Ash,” she whispered.
He swallowed once before continuing. “These months taught me how precious it is to have someone to share life’s battles with. You deserve the very best of everything, and I want to be the one who stands beside you, every day, through every season.”
He released her hand, reached into the pocket of his jacket, and pulled out a small box. When he opened it, moonlight gleamed off a dazzling diamond ring. The sight of it made her gasp, tears of joy spilling from her eyes.
“Eliana,” he said, voice trembling slightly, “Will you marry me? Be my mate, in every way.”
She felt tears slip down her cheeks. She nodded, words bubbling up but momentarily failing her. She forced them out between trembling lips. “Yes,” she managed, voice thick with emotion. “Ash, of course I will.”