Charlie scrambled out of the backseat, the heart-shaped stone still clutched in his hand. “I want chocolate!” he declared, some of his earlier shyness replaced by the simple enthusiasm of a child anticipating a treat.
Marion smiled down at him, and the tenderness in her expression made Alfie’s chest ache. “We’ll see what they have,” she said, ruffling Charlie’s hair.
“Welland makes the best chocolate cake,” Alfie said, falling into step beside them as they walked toward the garden center entrance. “But his lemon drizzle is pretty legendary, too.”
“Sounds like we might need to try both,” Marion said as she flashed Alfie a smile.
“I like the way you think,” Alfie grinned, holding the door open for them.
I like everything about you, his bear said to Marion even though she could not hear him.
“This place is even bigger than I thought,” Charlie said, his eyes wide as they walked deeper into the sprawling garden center with its greenhouse domes and outdoor displays.
“It does have a way of growing on you,” Alfie replied, unable to resist the pun.
Marion rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips told him she wasn’t truly annoyed. “I should have expected more plant jokes.”
“They grow on you, too,” he said with a wink and was rewarded with that laugh again. The one that made his bear rumble with satisfaction.
Maybe we are growing on her, too, Alfie’s bear said.
A shifter can dream, Alfie replied.
“The café’s this way,” Alfie said, leading them past displays of hanging baskets and patio furniture.
They rounded a corner, and the café came into view, a light and airy space with rustic wooden tables, hanging plants creating natural dividers between seating areas, and large windows that let in streams of sunlight.
The scent of coffee and baked goods mingled with the garden center’s earthy aroma, creating something uniquely comforting.
“Alfie!” Welland’s booming voice carried across the space. The white-haired café owner waved from behind the counter, a wide grin on his face. “And you’ve brought guests!”
Daisy’s already told Welland about Marion, hasn’t she? Alfie’s bear asked.
Oh yeah, Alfie said, hoping the news hadn’t spread too far. He kind of wanted to tell his mom and dad himself. But he knew how fast good news traveled in Bear Creek. And a shifter meeting their mate was always good news.
“Welland, this is Marion and Charlie,” Alfie said as they approached. “They’re working on the community garden project and have earned themselves some of your famous cake.”
“Welcome, welcome!” Welland beamed, his eyes twinkling with pleasure. “Any friend of Alfie’s is a friend of mine. And first-time visitors get the special treatment.”
“What’s the special treatment?” Charlie asked, his natural curiosity overcoming his shyness at meeting someone new. But then Welland had always had a way with people.
“Extra whipped cream on the hot chocolate.” Welland leaned down conspiratorially. “And marshmallows and sprinkles,” he added with a wink.
Charlie’s eyes widened, and he looked up at Marion as if unable to believe their good fortune. She nodded her permission, and his face broke into a smile that made Alfie’s heart clench.
“Thank you,” Charlie said politely.
“My pleasure,” Welland replied, straightening up. “Now, why don’t I take your orders, and then you all take that table by the window? Best view in the house.”
“So,” Marion said once they’d placed their orders, coffee and lemon drizzle cake for her, a chocolate cake and hot chocolate for Charlie, and coffee and a slice of apple pie for Alfie. “How long have you owned the garden center?”
“More years than I care to remember,” Alfie replied, leaning back in his chair. “But this is all I ever wanted to do.”
“You must really love it,” she observed.
“I do,” he admitted. “There’s something about helping things grow, about being part of that cycle of life. It grounds me.” He smiled, unable to resist. “Literally and figuratively.”
Marion groaned at the pun, but there was laughter in her eyes. “Do you live here, too? At the garden center?”
“I have a cabin up in the mountains,” Alfie said, thinking of his simple, comfortable home nestled among the pines. “It’s small, but it suits me.”
For now, his bear added silently.
“And all your family is here in Bear Creek?” Marion asked, her fingers tracing patterns on the wooden tabletop.
“Yes,” Alfie nodded. “My parents have a vineyard in the mountains. A couple of my brothers work there. The rest live locally.”
“You could say your family is rooted in Bear Creek.” Marion smiled up at him through her lashes.
“Oh!” Alfie cracked a grin. “I see what you did there.”
“Planting tomatoes is not the only thing you have taught me this morning,” Marion replied. Their eyes met and a long moment of silence stretched out before she cleared her throat and said, “It must be nice,” Marion said softly, “having everyone so near.”
There was a wistfulness in her voice that made Alfie want to reach across the table and take her hand. But he restrained himself, sensing she wasn’t ready for that yet.
“It is,” Alfie said. “What about you? What brought you to Bear Creek?”
Marion’s expression closed slightly, her fingers stilling on the table. “A fresh start,” she said after a moment. “For both of us.”
Charlie, who had been watching a hummingbird at the feeder outside the window, turned at her words. His face took on that careful, guarded look again, and Alfie could almost see the invisible wall going up between them and the world.
“Bear Creek is good for fresh starts,” Alfie said gently, not pushing for details. “Something about the mountains and the forest. It feels like anything is possible here.”
Marion’s eyes met his, searching, assessing. Whatever she saw there must have reassured her, because some of the tension left her shoulders. “That’s what I’m hoping for,” she admitted. “New possibilities.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Welland arriving with their order, the promised extra whipped cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles on Charlie’s hot chocolate making the boy’s eyes widen with delight.
“One hot chocolate fit for a king,” Welland announced, setting it down with a flourish. “And the rest of your order, of course.”
“Thank you,” Marion said, her eyes widening at the size of the lemon drizzle cake slice. “This is enormous!”
“Welland doesn’t believe in small portions,” Alfie explained with a grin.
“Life’s too short for tiny cake slices,” Welland declared as if they were the wisest words he’d ever spoken. “Enjoy!”
“We will,” Marion said, catching Alfie’s eyes.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, something unspoken passing between them. Alfie felt his bear stir with contentment and anticipation.
This felt right. This was destiny.
Their destiny.
Now, all he needed to do was show Marion what his heart already knew.
That they were meant to be together. Forever.