“Ready?” Nero asked, glancing at Sophie as she handed him the last Tupperware that contained her berry tarts. He carefully placed it inside the wicker picnic basket alongside the three other fabulous creations she’d made this morning.
She nodded, her fingers fidgeting briefly with the edge of her cardigan before smoothing it down. She looked radiant and a little nervous.
She has no reason to be nervous, Nero’s bear said. Everyone is going to love her .
She doesn’t know that, Nero replied. She’s worried she’s intruding on our family.
But she is family, his bear replied .
She doesn’t know that, either, Nero replied as he picked up the basket and opened the door.
Sophie hesitated, casting a glance around the kitchen as if checking she had not forgotten anything, before she followed.
Side by side, they walked to the driveway where his red convertible waited.
Nero opened the passenger door for her, and as she slipped into the seat, he inhaled her scent, committing it to memory.
Then he closed the door and placed the picnic basket on the back seat.
“Are you going to roll the top down?” Sophie asked, glancing over her shoulder at the basket.
Nero chuckled, securing the hamper in the back. “It’s not going to fall out. I’m a careful driver.”
He caught the flicker of amusement in her expression and grinned. Her earlier nerves seemed to have evaporated. He loved seeing her like this, happier, lighter. Her walls still rose when she was uncertain, but when they dropped, even for a moment, she practically glowed.
I know the feeling, his bear said, happy to be in the presence of their mate. Although they both knew he would be much, much happier when he got to meet her in the flesh.
As he drove away from The Lookout, Nero felt the familiar thrum of his engine under his hands. But it was nothing compared to the thrum of the blood in his veins. Being this close to Sophie made his pulse quicken in a way he’d never experienced before.
She tilted her face toward the breeze and let out a contented sigh.
“Does that mean you are glad we have the top down?” Nero asked.
“When the weather is this beautiful, yes,” she said. “It makes me feel more connected to the world around me.”
Nero glanced at her and grinned. “That’s exactly what I love about this car.”
We are so similar in lots of ways, his bear said.
We are, Nero agreed. She fits here. With us.
She does, Nero agreed. And I think she knows it.
Yes. She feels it. Deep in her soul, she feels it , his bear said, ready to do somersaults.
The road wound upward, revealing green slopes and glimpses of the valley below. Sophie’s gaze roamed the landscape, her lips parted in quiet awe.
Wait until she meets me, his bear said. Then she’ll be in awe.
Well, awe would be a lot better than fear, Nero agreed. But he didn’t want to think of the future right now. He wanted to enjoy the present with his mate.
Sophie broke the comfortable silence. “Tell me about the vineyard.”
Nero thought for a moment. “The land has been in our family for generations. The Thornbergs were some of the first families to settle here. They were part of the founding of Bear Creek.”
“Wow, you can trace your ancestors back that far?” Sophie asked.
He kept one hand on the wheel as he gestured toward the hills. “We’re part of these very mountains.”
“And the vineyard?” Sophie asked.
“The valley has its own microclimate,” Nero explained. “So what started as an experiment for making homemade wine kind of grew as the vines thrived. Over the generations, my family perfected the art of winemaking, until it’s what you see today.”
As if on cue, they crested the final hill, and the vineyard came into view. Lines of lush green vines, with the hacienda proudly at the center, whitewashed and glowing beneath its terra-cotta roof.
“Oh,” Sophie breathed, her voice full of wonder.
Nero slowed the car. “Yeah.” He would never tire of this first glimpse of the vineyard.
“It’s incredible,” Sophie said.
And so are you, his bear added.
Nero pressed his foot down on the gas and soon they arrived at the vineyard, and he parked the car in his usual spot next to the house.
In an instant, he was out of the car and came around to open her door.
As he held it open, he caught the shift in her expression.
A brief flutter of nerves, she tried to mask with a smile.
His bear rumbled. Tell her there’s nothing to be afraid of.
But Nero simply offered Sophie his hand. As she took it, that same sense of connection passed between them, and she smiled up at him, looking more confident. As if a silent message had passed between them. One that said, it’s okay, I’m here by your side. And always will be.
“Shall we go in?” Nero asked, leaning to grab the picnic basket from the back seat.
“I’d love to.”
Inside, the house was cool and welcoming. He led her through the familiar hallway and into the kitchen, where he could sense his parents. Of course, his dad would have sensed them coming, but when Nero and Sophie entered the kitchen, they were trying their best to act casual.
Leanne was arranging flowers in a vase while his father peered over a wine journal.
It’s upside down, his bear said.
I know. Nero smothered a smile as he set the hamper on the table.
“Mom, Dad, this is Sophie. Sophie, my parents, Leanne and Hugo Thornberg.”
“Hello, Sophie,” Leanne said, coming to greet them. “I’ve heard all about you from Cassia. She wanted to come and meet you at the wedding expo, but we had a fully booked restaurant.”
Sophie glanced at Nero. “Nero told me Cassia is the reason Finn asked me to attend. I’d love to meet her and thank her.”
“She’d love that. She’s up at the restaurant now with Kris picking out wine for the next menu,” Leanne said.
“I know she’s happy to have played her part.” Hugo winked at Nero as he set down the wine journal and stood up. “Welcome to the...”
“Vineyard,” Leanne said, shooting Hugo a warning look.
He was going to say family, wasn’t he? Nero’s bear said.
I think so, Nero replied. But luckily, their mom had stepped in and averted disaster.
Would it be a disaster? Nero’s bear asked.
I’d rather not find out, Nero said.
“As you know from Cassia, Sophie creates wonderful recipes.” Nero opened the hamper and began unpacking the containers. “Sophie made these this morning. And we thought you might like to try them.”
“Oh, yes!” Leanne said, her attention flicking from the food to Sophie and back again. “We’d love to!”
“Why don’t we take everything up to the restaurant?” Nero suggested, pausing as he unpacked the last container. “Cassia and Kris are there picking out wines for the next menu. They should definitely try these dishes, too.”
“That’s a great idea,” Hugo said, already eyeing the berry tart with undisguised interest.
Sophie’s smile brightened. “I’d love that. It would be wonderful to meet Cassia and thank her personally.”
“Perfect,” Leanne said, already gathering the containers Nero had unpacked. “Let’s repack and head up there. It would be a wonderful surprise for Cassia.”
They quickly repacked Sophie’s culinary creations, and soon the four of them were walking through the vineyard toward the restaurant. Nero found himself watching Sophie more than where he was walking. It was as if she were the most fascinating thing he had ever seen.
She is , his bear said. But watch where you are going. You don’t want to make a fool of yourself and fall at her feet again.
“These vine leaves are beautiful.” Sophie reached out to run her fingertips over the leaf. “I’d love to use them in a recipe. Maybe stuffed with a wild rice mixture and herbs?”
She’s already connected with our land, his bear rumbled happily.
I know, Nero replied silently. It feels right, doesn’t it?
“That sounds delicious,” Leanne said, coming to stand next to her. “I actually use the pomace—the grape skins and seeds after pressing—to bake a special sourdough bread. The vineyard finds its way into almost everything we create here.”
“Really?” Sophie’s face lit up. “I’d love to learn that technique.”
“I’d be happy to show you,” Leanne replied, and Nero saw the easy, genuine connection forming between them.
Perfect, his bear purred. Mom already loves her.
She does, Nero agreed. Everyone will.
As they rounded the final curve in the path, the restaurant came into view. The newly renovated building still maintained its rustic charm, its wide windows overlooking the sun-dappled slopes where the vines stretched toward the forest. It was the most picturesque part of the vineyard.
“It’s breathtaking,” Sophie whispered. “The building complements its surroundings. And the windows, the view is incredible.”
“With Cassia’s innovative menu planning coupled with Kris’s unique insight and experience of the Thornberg’s wines enhance the dining experience,” Hugo said, then cracked a grin. “At least that’s what it says on the website.”
“Dad,” Nero teased.
“Oh, you know I am dead proud of what’s been achieved here, but I’m proud of what each of my sons has achieved,” Hugo added.
“You should be proud,” Sophie told him.
“And you should be proud of what you have achieved,” Leanne said as she joined them to admire the building.
“Come on.” Hugo pushed open the door and held it while the others entered. “Let’s open some wine and enjoy an impromptu picnic.”
As they entered, Cassia looked up from where she and Kris were examining wine bottles at the bar. Her face lit up the moment she spotted them.
“Sophie! Sophie Truro,” she exclaimed, hurrying over with open arms. “I’m so glad to finally meet you! I was worried you would leave town before I got the chance.”
Nero watched as the surprise on Sophie’s face melted into a smile, and she returned the hug. “It’s good to meet you,” Sophie said. “I hear you are the one who suggested Finn contact me about the wedding expo.”
“I am.” Cassia looked over Sophie’s shoulder and locked eyes with Nero.
“Thank you,” he mouthed, and Cassia gave a small nod.
Kris approached more slowly, offering a firm handshake and a kind smile. “Nice to meet you, Sophie. I’ve heard great things.”
“We brought something special,” Nero said, unpacking the containers on the long wooden table near the windows. “Sophie made these dishes this morning, and we thought you might enjoy tasting them.”
“Oh my goodness, yes!” Cassia clapped her hands with delight.
Soon, everyone was seated around the table, passing the containers and serving themselves generous portions. The conversation quieted as the first bites were taken, replaced by the kind of appreciative murmurs Nero had grown up associating with a truly exceptional meal.
“This mushroom dish is extraordinary,” Kris said, reaching for more. “The honey brings out the earthiness perfectly.”
“And this trout.” Cassia let her eyes flutter closed, savoring the flavors. “I can taste the pine. It’s subtle but so distinctive.”
Nero’s parents were equally enthusiastic. His father was particularly taken with the berry tart. “The balance of tartness and sweetness is masterful,” Hugo declared, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a linen napkin.
Nero watched Sophie as her cheeks flushed pink and her smile widened with each compliment. His chest ached with admiration.
She deserves every bit of this recognition, his bear said.
She does, Nero agreed. And so much more.
Then Cassia leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Sophie. “I have a proposition for you,” she said. “Would you consider creating a guest menu for the restaurant? These flavors, this connection to the land, it’s exactly what we aim to celebrate here.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “A guest menu? I…I don’t know…”
Nero caught the flicker of uncertainty on her face, the way her fingers worried at the edge of her napkin. He reached across the table, covering her hand with his.
“You’d be perfect,” he said. “You could use the vine leaves and the pomace. You could tell the story of the vineyard in a way no one else could.”
“He’s right,” Kris added. “I’d love to collaborate on the wine pairings. Your dishes deserve something truly special.”
She’s hesitating, his bear murmured. She needs more reassurance.
“Sophie,” Leanne said, her voice soft with sincerity, “what you’ve created today isn’t just delicious. It’s inspired. You’ve captured the essence of the mountains and forests in just a few bites.”
“The pine in that trout sauce,” Hugo added, “reminds me of early mornings after a storm, when the whole mountain smells clean and new. That’s not just cooking, that’s art.”
Nero watched as something shifted in Sophie’s expression. Her nerves hadn’t vanished completely, but they were giving way to something braver. She looked around the table, saw the encouragement written on every face, and finally turned to him.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think it’s time everyone got to experience what I already know,” Nero said. “That you’re extraordinary.”
She took a deep breath. “I’d love to,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “A guest menu inspired by the vineyard would be an honor to create.”
“Wonderful!” Cassia clapped her hands.
“I don’t know how long I’m staying,” Sophie said.
Forever, Nero’s bear roared.
There was a hushed silence around the table, but then Cassia said, “We could feature it this weekend, maybe even pair it with a tasting event.”
“This weekend?” Sophie said breathlessly.
“Yes.” Cassia nodded. “You said you came up with these dishes in the last couple of days. So I have faith that you can design the dishes, and we can source the local ingredients in time. We only have a small number of covers for any one sitting, but this one is more intimate because it’s a celebration of Norman and Hilda’s fiftieth anniversary. ”
“It is?” Sophie asked.
“I believe that’s just sealed the deal,” Nero said, catching Sophie’s eye.
“I believe it has,” Sophie agreed.
“Then let’s have a toast,” Cassia said, raising her glass. “To Sophie.”
“To Sophie,” they all chorused.
And in that moment, Nero knew tonight would be the night he would reveal all.
Yes! His bear roared.