Page 17 of The Bear’s Matchmaking Mix-up Mate (Bear Creek Forever:Thornberg Vineyard #6)

Leaving Wren’s bed was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But he had promised Alfie he would meet him this morning at the garden center to go over plans for the fundraiser, and he couldn’t let his brother or the Bear Creek community down.

As he drove, he could not keep the smile from his face. He had claimed her in the most primal way. And more, she had accepted him, not just as a man, but as a shifter, too. The knowledge filled him with a warm tingling feeling that spread through his chest and settled deep in his bones.

Of course, she accepted us, his bear rumbled with contentment. After all, we are kindred spirits.

In what way? Finn asked, curious about his bear’s sudden philosophical turn.

We have accepted Wren for who she is and what she is, his bear began. No questions asked. It doesn’t matter that she is a music star; to us, she is simply Wren, our songbird.

Finn cracked a grin as he navigated the winding roads toward town. She will never be simply Wren.

His bear chuckled. No, she will not. She is our mate. Our hopes. Our dreams. Our heart.

The truth of those words resonated through him. Wren was everything he’d ever wanted, everything he’d ever needed, and by some miracle, she wanted him, too. All of him—man and bear.

Do you think we should tell Alfie? Finn asked his bear as he approached the outskirts of Bear Creek.

Yes, his bear replied without hesitation. Because if we don’t tell someone soon, we’ll burst.

Finn laughed out loud at that. His bear was right. The joy bubbling inside him was too big to contain. He needed to share it, and who better than Alfie? His brother had always been the most approachable of his siblings, the one who teased but never judged.

They reached the garden center, and Finn hopped out of his truck, unable to contain the spring in his step as he headed inside. The scent of soil and green growing things enveloped him as he pushed through the door, the little bell jingling to announce his arrival.

“Well, well, well,” Alfie’s voice called from behind a display of flowering shrubs. “Someone’s in a good mood this morning.” His brother emerged, wearing a T-shirt that declared, I wet my plants . “Did you win the lottery or something?”

“Better,” Finn said, unable to keep the grin from spreading across his face.

Alfie’s eyebrows shot up, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Oh? Do tell.”

Finn hesitated, suddenly nervous as he busied himself with straightening a row of plant markers. But the truth was too big to keep secret any longer. “I found her, Alfie.”

Alfie’s teasing smile froze, his eyes widening. “Found who?”

“My mate.” The words came out barely above a whisper, but they seemed to echo between them. “I found my mate.”

For once in his life, Alfie was speechless. He stared at Finn, mouth slightly open, before grabbing his arm and pulling him behind a tall display of hanging plants.

“Are you serious?” Alfie hissed, excitement making his voice crack. “When? Who? Why am I just hearing about this now?”

Finn couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “Her name is Wren. She’s Mrs. Abernathy’s goddaughter. And it’s… It’s still new. You’re the first person I’ve told, so please, keep it quiet until I’ve spoken to Mom and Dad.”

“Mrs. Abernathy’s goddaughter, that’s unbeleafable .” Alfie grinned, lowering his voice. “All joking aside. When I went over to the vineyard last night, Mom and Dad were whispering about you. I thought they were going to give me a talking-to about sending you misdirected texts again.”

“They met her yesterday, and I am sure they suspected, but I’m thankful they kept it to themselves.” Finn chuckled, a flush of happiness rising in his chest. “It’s a tricky situation.”

“Isn’t it always?” Alfie squeezed his shoulder, the teasing gone. “You’ll get there, Finn. You already look happier than I’ve ever seen you. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Okay, shall we get down to business?” Finn asked.

Alfie nodded. “As long as you can spare the time. I completely understand if there is somewhere else you would rather be.”

“No, this is important,” Finn said. “And I have the rest of my life with Wren to look forward to.”

“That you do,” Alfie said. “Come on, let’s go grab a coffee and a slice of cake to celebrate.”

“Cake for breakfast!” Finn said.

“Let’s not tell Mom,” Alfie said as they headed for the garden center café that had been run by Welland for as long as Finn could remember.

As they entered, Welland looked up from behind the counter, his weathered face breaking into a smile. “What’s better than one Thornberg brother? Two Thornberg brothers! What can I get you?”

“Two coffees and two slices of your chocolate cake,” Alfie said. “The biggest slices you’ve got.”

Welland chuckled. “Coming right up. Go get settled, and I’ll bring it over.”

Finn followed Alfie to a table by the window that overlooked the café’s butterfly garden, a riot of colorful flowers where dozens of butterflies fluttered in the morning sunshine. As they sat down, Alfie’s expression softened in a way Finn rarely saw.

“You know,” Alfie said, gazing out at the garden, “I still remember the first time I sat here with Marion and Charlie. Right at this very table.” He turned to Finn, his usual teasing manner replaced by something sincere.

“I wish you all the happiness in the world, brother. Finding your mate...there’s nothing like it. ”

“I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to find out for myself,” Finn said.

“You deserve it after all those matchmaking mix-ups,” Alfie replied, then his eyes widened. “Did you have a matchmaking mix-up?”

“I did,” Finn said as he crossed his ankles under the table.

“Who did it?” Alfie asked, leaning forward eagerly.

“It was self-inflicted. I went to Rowan Cottage instead of Rose Cottage,” Finn replied.

“Well, I never,” Alfie said, shaking his head.

Welland arrived with their order, setting down two steaming mugs and two enormous slices of chocolate cake. “Here you go, boys. Enjoy.”

“Thanks, Welland,” they said in unison.

As Welland turned to leave, the café door opened, and Daisy walked in. Welland’s face lit up, and he immediately changed course to greet her.

Alfie watched them with a tender smile. “That,” he said, nodding toward Welland and Daisy, “is another beautiful love affair, right there.”

Finn followed his gaze, watching how Welland’s entire demeanor changed around Daisy, how she looked at him with such fondness. “I wish everyone could be happy in love.”

“The world would be a much happier place,” Alfie said. “Now, let’s get on with the plans for the fundraiser so you can get back to your mate,” Alfie said. “I’ve found a local band willing to play for free. The Mountain Echoes. They’re good. They play a mix of folk and country.”

“That’s great,” Finn said, taking a bite of his cake. The rich chocolate melted on his tongue, momentarily distracting him from thoughts of Wren. Finn swallowed and cleared his throat. “So, the Mountain Echoes? That’s perfect.”

“I’ve already posted about it on the garden center’s social media,” Alfie said, pulling out his phone to show Finn. “Just a teaser announcement about a special guest star appearance. The locals are already buzzing with speculation.”

Finn nearly choked on his cake. “You did what?”

“Relax,” Alfie chuckled, turning his phone around to show Finn the post. “I didn’t name anyone specific. Just wanted to build some excitement.”

Finn’s stomach clenched as he read the words on the screen: “Bear Creek Community Garden Fundraiser announces special guest star appearance! Don’t miss this year’s biggest event! Details coming soon!”

His bear stirred anxiously. Wren will see this. She’ll think we betrayed her.

I know, Finn replied, his mind racing. How could he explain this to Wren? She valued her privacy above almost everything else.

“What’s wrong?” Alfie asked, his brow furrowing. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

For a moment, Finn considered telling Alfie everything, that his mate was none other than Wren Hayes, multi-platinum country star currently hiding from the world in Bear Creek. The words hovered on the tip of his tongue.

Don’t, his bear warned. It’s not our secret to share.

He was right. Finn had promised Wren he’d protect her privacy. If word got out about who she was, reporters would descend on Bear Creek like locusts, destroying the peace she’d found here.

“Nothing,” Finn said, forcing a smile. “Just thinking about logistics.”

Alfie raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying Finn’s sudden change of subject. “Okay, logistics.”

As Alfie continued detailing the fundraiser plans, Finn’s phone burned a hole in his pocket. He should text Wren and explain about the post, hopefully, before she saw it. So, when Alfie got up to get them coffee refills, he quickly typed out a text. Then quickly deleted it.

He didn’t want to send a text that might lead to a misunderstanding. So instead, he texted: Lunch at mine? xox

Alfie returned with the coffees, and they talked over the plans for the auction. But Finn couldn’t help being distracted by Wren’s lack of reply. Something’s wrong. She should have answered by now.

She’s probably caught up in her music, his bear replied, although he shared Finn’s fears.

“Earth to Finn,” Alfie called, breaking into his thoughts. “Did you hear what I said about the speaker system?”

“Sorry, what?” Finn tucked his phone away, trying to focus.

Alfie’s eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking to Finn’s pocket where his phone had disappeared. “Everything okay?”

“No,” he said, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I was just checking my calendar. I have a lunch appointment.”

You hope, his bear said unhelpfully.

By the time they’d finalized the layout and confirmed the last details, Finn’s phone remained stubbornly silent, and his bear was practically clawing at him to check on Wren.

“If we’re done, I should get going,” he told Alfie, already out of his seat. “I’ll make some calls and be in touch.”

“Sure,” Alfie said, his brow creased. His brother knew him well enough to pick up on Finn’s unease. And well enough not to ask. “Just remember, Finn, I’m rooting for you and Wren.”

“Thanks, Alfie, that means a lot,” Finn said, giving his brother a quick hug. The warmth of his brother’s support steadied him for a moment, but anxiety quickly returned as he pushed through the café door.

The morning air hit his face as he strode across the garden center parking lot. His pulse quickened with each step, thoughts racing faster than his feet could carry him. What if Wren had seen that post? What if she thought he’d betrayed her trust?

His bear paced anxiously. Hurry, but don’t look like you’re hurrying.

Finn lengthened his stride, fighting the urge to break into a run. He fumbled with his keys as he reached his truck, his usually steady hands trembling slightly as he tried to fit the key into the ignition. The metal scraped against metal before finally sliding home.

“Get it together,” he muttered, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

The engine roared to life, and Finn sat for a moment, fingers tight around the steering wheel. He closed his eyes, drawing in another steadying breath before putting the truck in drive.

She might not have seen it, his bear offered hopefully. Maybe she’s still writing songs, too lost in her music to read texts.

“Maybe,” Finn whispered, but the knot in his stomach tightened as he pulled onto the main road.

He forced himself to drive at the speed limit through town, though every instinct screamed at him to floor the accelerator. His fingers tapped an impatient rhythm on the steering wheel as he waited for the red light to change, the seconds stretching like hours.

The road to Rowan Cottage seemed longer than ever before, each curve and bend an obstacle between him and Wren. But as he drew closer, his heart sank.

I can’t sense her, Finn said.

She might be on a walk, his bear suggested, but the uncertainty in his tone betrayed his doubt.

Finn pulled up in front of the cottage and cut the engine, staring at the empty space where her car should have been. The silence pressed in around him, broken only by the soft ticking of his cooling engine.

If her car was gone, she might have driven somewhere nearby. The grocery store, perhaps. Or to visit Mrs. Abernathy. But a deeper fear gnawed at him—what if she’d left Bear Creek entirely?

We would know if she left for good, his bear insisted, though his voice wavered with uncertainty. We would feel it.

Finn circled the cottage, peering through windows, searching for any sign that she planned to return. Through the kitchen window, he spotted her coffee mug on the counter, her notebook open beside it. Relief threaded his veins; she wouldn’t leave those behind. Not willingly.

But where was she?

He pulled out his phone, checking again for a response to his text. The screen remained stubbornly empty. He tapped out another message: Where are you? I’m worried. Please call me.

His thumb hovered over the send button. Would that just push her farther away? Would she see desperation in his words? He sent it anyway, unable to bear the silence.

Finn put his head in his hands. The morning that had started so perfectly now felt like it was crumbling around him. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?