Alfie Thornberg couldn’t remember the last time he’d whistled on his way to work, but this morning he could not help himself. The memory of Marion’s skin against his, her scent lingering on his clothes. Damn, he might just burst into song!
Please don’t, his bear said.
“Somebody looks happy,” Daisy said as Alfie placed a cup of coffee down on the table in the office they shared.
That’s because we are happy, his bear said, thrilled that he had met their mate in person for the first time.
“Marion has decided to take up the offer of selling her handmade soaps,” Alfie said as he sat down, unable to keep the smile from his face.
Daisy’s eyebrows shot up with interest. “Does that mean you two have made up?”
Alfie grinned and nodded. “Marion saw me with Elsbeth on Thursday and jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“Ah,” Daisy nodded knowingly, “she thought you were playing the field. Planting your seeds...”
“Yes,” Alfie held up his hand, stopping her before she could continue with the gardening innuendos. “But yesterday she met Elsbeth, and I explained she was Philip’s mate. And...” he paused, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “then I told her everything, showed her everything.”
Daisy’s eyes widened. “At last!” Then she chuckled. “No wonder you look like the cat who got the cream.”
Or the bear that got the honey, his bear teased.
“So, I thought we could arrange a meeting this week,” Alfie continued, trying to sound professional despite the giddiness bubbling inside him. “Invite Marion in so that we can flesh out a business plan.”
Daisy nodded. “Absolutely. I think the handmade soaps will sell well.”
Alfie let out a long breath. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am that everything is working out.”
Daisy chuckled as she sipped her coffee. “You don’t have to tell me. I can see it written all over your face.”
Alfie cracked a wide smile, but then his phone rang. He took it from his pocket and his heart leaped as he saw Marion’s name displayed.
“Hi there,” he answered, trying to sound cool, calm, and collected, which was nearly impossible.
“Alfie.” He could tell instantly she was upset.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Alfie asked, sitting up straighter. “Is Charlie, okay?”
Daisy’s expression shifted to concern as she watched his face darken.
“My sister, Heather,” Marion explained, her voice tight with tension. “She showed up on my doorstep this morning. She wants Charlie back.”
Alfie’s blood ran cold. “I’ll come straight over.”
“No,” Marion said quickly. “I’ll come to you. Maybe we can talk alone, while Charlie watches the butterflies.”
“Of course. Come over when you’re ready,” Alfie agreed, already on his feet. “I’ll be waiting.”
He ended the call and stood there for a moment, the morning’s joy evaporating like dew on a hot summer’s day.
“What happened?” Daisy asked, setting down her mug.
“Marion’s sister showed up,” Alfie explained, running a hand through his hair. “The one who’s supposed to be in prison. She wants Charlie back.”
Daisy’s face hardened with concern. “That poor boy. And after he’s just starting to feel safe.”
“They’re coming here,” Alfie said, pacing the small office. “Marion wants to talk somewhere Charlie won’t overhear.”
“Don’t worry,” Daisy said, rising from her chair. “I’ll care for Charlie while you two talk. We can look at the butterflies, or Charlie can help me water the plants.”
Alfie stopped pacing long enough to give Daisy a grateful look. “Thank you.”
He drained his coffee in one long gulp, his mind racing through possible scenarios for how this might play out, each one worse than the last.
His bear was already in protective mode, growling at the idea of anyone threatening their mate’s happiness—or Charlie’s.
No one is taking him from us, his bear vowed fiercely.
We need to stay calm, he told his bear. For Marion’s sake.
Alfie walked out to the front of the garden center, scanning the parking lot anxiously. Ten minutes crawled by like hours before Marion’s car finally pulled in. He watched as she helped Charlie from the backseat, her movements steady and controlled despite the strain evident on her face.
As they approached, Alfie could see she was holding it together but was obviously upset. Something he could tell Charlie had picked up on. The boy was unusually quiet as he walked by his aunt’s side.
“Alfie!” Charlie called out when he spotted him, some of his usual enthusiasm returning.
“Hey, buddy,” Alfie replied, crouching down to Charlie’s level. “Daisy is about to check on the butterflies. Want to help her?”
Charlie’s eyes lit up. “Really? Can I?”
“Of course,” Alfie said, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Daisy’s waiting for you in the café. I think Welland has some cakes he’d like you to sample, too.”
Charlie looked up at Marion, silently seeking permission.
“Go ahead,” she nodded, her voice encouraging despite the worry in her eyes. “I just need to talk to Alfie.”
They watched as Charlie raced toward the café, his momentary concern forgotten in his excitement.
When he was out of earshot, Alfie turned to Marion, taking her hands in his. “Tell me everything.”
Marion’s hands trembled in his, her fingers cold despite the warm morning. Alfie gave them a gentle squeeze, trying to infuse his strength into her.
“She was just...standing there on the porch when I opened the door,” Marion said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Like she had every right to be there.”
“Let’s go somewhere more private,” Alfie suggested, glancing toward the café where Charlie had disappeared.
He guided her toward the office, his hand resting protectively at the small of her back. She was so tense, just like that first morning they’d met. And he hated seeing her like this.
When they reached his office, Marion stopped in the doorway, her eyes widening at the sight before her. On the small table by the window sat two steaming cups of coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cake—her favorite from Welland’s selection.
“Daisy must have brought it over,” Alfie said.
“That’s so kind,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Come on, sit down. You’ll feel better after you’ve had some cake. The sugar will be good for the shock.” He guided her toward the chair Daisy usually sat in.
“Thank you.” As she sat down, the careful composure Marion had maintained for Charlie’s sake finally crumbled. Her face crumpled, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Oh, Marion,” Alfie murmured, hunkering down beside her and holding her in his arms.
She buried her face against his chest, her body shaking with silent sobs. Alfie held her close, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other rubbed soothing circles on her back. He pressed his lips to her hair, murmuring soft reassurances.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “Let it out. I’ve got you.”
For several minutes, he simply held her, letting her release the fear and tension she’d been carrying since her sister’s appearance. His bear rumbled protectively inside him, longing to shield her from any pain.
When her tears finally subsided, Alfie handed her a tissue from the box on his desk. “What exactly did Heather say?” he asked gently.
Marion dabbed at her eyes, taking a shaky breath. “She said she’s out on bail and her lawyer thinks the charges will be dropped.” She looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed but clear. “She wants Charlie back, Alfie.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That she couldn’t see him without supervision. That she needs to contact my lawyer.” Marion’s voice grew stronger as she spoke. “She didn’t like that.”
“I’m sure she didn’t,” Alfie said, his jaw tightening. “But you did the right thing.”
Marion nodded, then looked down at their joined hands. “She said it isn’t over. And I know my sister. She won’t give up.”
“Is there a chance she’ll get her way?” Alfie asked, though he already knew the answer.
“She’ll convince the court she’s changed,” Marion said, her voice breaking. “And they’ll decide Charlie belongs with his mother, not his aunt. They’ll send him back to her. What if Razor gets out, too? I’ll have to watch him withdraw into himself again, become that frightened little boy again.”
Alfie squeezed her hand. “I won’t let that happen.”
“You might not be able to stop it,” Marion said, finally meeting his eyes. “The courts will side with his mom even if…” She broke off, shaking her head.
“Even when they’re clearly not the best option,” Alfie finished for her. “But Marion, anyone who spends five minutes with Charlie can see how much he’s thriving with you. The difference is astonishing.”
“You think so?” she asked, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
“I know so,” Alfie assured her. “When I first met him, he barely spoke. Now he’s asking questions, exploring, laughing. That’s because of you, because of the stability and love you’ve given him.”
Marion’s gaze drifted past him to his desk, where papers were spread out filled with sketches for soap displays, pricing structures, and marketing ideas. Her face fell.
“We should put the business plans on hold,” she said quietly.
“What? Why?” Alfie asked, genuinely confused.
“If Charlie has to leave Bear Creek...” Marion swallowed hard. “I’ll go with him wherever he goes. I have to make sure he’s safe.”
Alfie felt his heart constrict at the thought of losing them both, but he kept his expression steady. “Of course you would.”
“I know that’s not what you want to hear,” Marion continued, her voice thick with emotion. “And I’m so sorry. We just found each other, and now...” She shook her head. “I know we’re mates, but I can’t ask you to…”
“Marion,” Alfie interrupted, cupping her face in his hands. “Look at me.”
She raised her eyes to his, tears threatening to spill over again.
“I would go with you,” he said firmly. “Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be.”
Marion stared at him, disbelief written across her face. “You can’t mean that. Your life is here. You have the garden center, your family...”
“My life is with you now,” Alfie said simply. “Both of you. That’s what being mates means.”
“I can’t ask you to give up everything…”
“You’re not asking me to,” Alfie interrupted gently. “I’m offering. There are other garden centers, Marion. But there’s only one you.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and he brushed it away with his thumb. “Besides,” he continued with a small smile, “we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Charlie isn’t going anywhere.”
“But if he does…”
“Then we’ll face it together,” Alfie promised. “I meant what I said last night. You and Charlie are my family now. We’re in this together. Forever.”
Marion searched his face as if looking for any sign of hesitation or doubt. Finding none, she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” she whispered.
“You exist,” Alfie said simply. “That’s enough for me.”
Marion let out a watery laugh. “That’s the most terrible, most romantic line I’ve ever heard.”
Alfie grinned, relieved to see a glimpse of her humor returning. “I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”
“I believe you,” Marion said, wiping away her tears.
“And I love you.” The words slipped out naturally, and Alfie didn’t regret them for a second. He watched as they registered with Marion, her eyes widening slightly.
“You love me?” she whispered.
“With everything I am,” Alfie replied without hesitation. “Bear and man both.”
Fresh tears welled in her eyes, but these were different…tears of joy rather than fear. She cupped his face in her hands.
“I love you, too,” she said, her voice unwavering. “I think I have since that first day when you showed Charlie the butterflies.”
“Well, I did say I was rooting for you,” Alfie said.
“But what you were really doing was sowing the seeds of love,” she said, and then she kissed him.