Page 12 of The Bear’s Second Chance Mate (Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #5)

Another sleepless night, another early start.

Stanley moved quietly between the enclosures, refilling water bowls and checking on the animals before the store officially opened.

He was thorough as always, checking that each creature in his care had everything they needed, but his mind was elsewhere.

Or, more precisely, back at the coffee shop where he’d met with June yesterday.

You didn’t exactly leave June with the impression you wanted to marry her and spend the rest of our lives together, his bear said.

Don’t remind me, Stanley replied as he switched on the aquarium lights.

Coffee with June yesterday hadn’t gone exactly according to plan. Instead, moving their relationship from friendship to something more, something romantic, he’d used the word professional . Again. As if that was all they were to each other.

Professionals. Acquaintances.

Not mates who were supposed to spend the rest of their lives together.

You could have chosen your words a little better, his bear said, trying to console him.

I was trying not to pressure her, Stanley said. In truth, he’d been thrown by the news that she did not see Bear Creek as a place to set down roots, but more of a stepping stone until she found a job.

The thought of her leaving Bear Creek made his stomach drop. But if she left, he’d follow, wherever she went, he would follow.

Even if it meant leaving everything he knew, everything he loved, behind.

Because she and Oli were all that he truly needed.

He’d miss the store, he’d miss his customers and the animals, and he’d miss his family in a way he could not bear to think about. But he would visit as often as he could.

And maybe he could persuade one of his brothers or cousins to take over the pet store and care for the animals, both here and at his house in the mountains.

Suddenly, it felt as if he were running out of time. If June were offered a job, her days in Bear Creek might be numbered. And perhaps so was his.

But losing June and Oli would be unbearable, his bear said.

It would. Stanley reached Herbert’s enclosure and opened the latch. The white rabbit hopped forward, nose twitching in recognition. He scooped the animal up, cradling it against his chest, finding comfort in the steady thump of the small heart against his palm.

There must be a way to persuade her to stay, his bear said.

I’m not going to trap her here, he murmured, stroking Herbert’s soft fur.

Stanley sighed. Every moment with June felt like walking a tightrope. He wanted to draw closer. Of course, he did.

But he also feared he’d push her away if she knew the truth.

That she was his mate. That they had recognized her instantly. That the connection she felt wasn’t just attraction but something ancient and unbreakable.

But what if the knowledge of their bond made her feel cornered? What if she stayed in Bear Creek for him, even though leaving might be the best thing for her? For her career?

But then it hit him. The real reason he’d been holding back.

Oli.

The realization hit Stanley like a physical blow. He’d been so focused on June’s needs, on not pressuring her, that he’d missed the most important part. If he told June they were mates, it wouldn’t just change her life, it would change Oli’s, too.

Herbert squirmed in his arms, and Stanley loosened his grip, stroking the rabbit’s ears with gentle fingers.

What if it’s too much for him? Stanley asked his bear. What if we’re too much?

His bear stirred uneasily. Oli likes us. At least he likes you.

Liking someone who runs a pet store is different from having them become part of your family, Stanley said. He’s sensitive to change. To disruption.

And there was no bigger disruption than a new man in their lives. A man who wanted to spend the rest of his life with Oli’s mom.

He’d seen how carefully June navigated the world for her son, how she anticipated triggers, how she created safety in routine. A revelation like this—that his mother had a fated mate, that Stanley wasn’t just the pet store owner but something more, something permanent—could shatter Oli’s world.

Oli might fear Stanley was going to steal his mom away. That Stanley might make June choose between them.

We would never do that, his bear said fiercely.

But we don’t see the world in the same way Oli does, Stanley reminded him.

What if Oli learned the truth about shifters and rejected him? What if the boy who lit up around animals shut down around a bear shifter? The thought made Stanley’s chest ache with a pain so sharp he had to take a steadying breath.

That’s it, isn’t it? his bear whispered. That’s why you have held back.

Yes, Stanley said. Subconsciously, I’ve been afraid June will reject me because of Oli.

His bear went still, understanding dawning between them. It wasn’t just about June’s freedom to choose. It was about her son, this bright, sensitive child who needed stability and safety above all else.

She might think it’s too much for him, Stanley murmured, his fingers still stroking Herbert’s soft fur.

And she might be right, his bear said gently.

“I would never want to be the reason Oli feels unsafe,” he whispered, barely more than breath, the words meant more for himself than for the rabbit munching contentedly in his arms.

His bear rumbled in agreement, the protective instinct toward their mate’s cub as strong as their desire for June herself.

If keeping his distance meant Oli thrived—if staying on the edge of their lives meant June could focus on what mattered most—then that was what he would do.

The bell jingled, cutting through the quiet as someone entered the store, which didn’t officially open for another hour. He must’ve forgotten to lock the door in his distracted state.

Stanley’s hands tightened protectively around Herbert as he looked up and froze.

Barb stood in the doorway, looking as if she had not slept well last night, either. With her mouth set in a grim line, she marched straight toward him with a no-nonsense expression on her face.

Oh no, his bear muttered. It’s the scary one.

And Barb looked exceptionally scary today.

Stanley gently returned Herbert to his enclosure, fingers moving with practiced care as he took a moment to compose himself.

“What exactly are you doing with my niece?” Barb’s voice cut clean through the room like a paring knife—small, sharp, and impossible to ignore.

Stanley closed the latch and turned to face her. “Good morning to you, too, Barb.”

“Don’t good morning me,” she snapped. “I want answers, Stanley Thornberg.”

Try not to cry, Stanley. She’s even scarier before coffee. His bear quaked at the back of Stanley’s mind.

He straightened. “June and I are friends. She’s helping me make the store more welcoming. Especially for kids like Oli.”

Barb’s laugh was dry as kindling. “Friends. Right.”

Stanley felt his cheeks warm. “And Oli likes the animals.”

“Oli does,” Barb agreed, stepping closer. “And June likes you. You do know she thinks there might be something between you two.”

Stanley’s throat tightened, and he lost the ability to talk.

She likes us, his bear said.

“Except there isn’t, is there?” Barb pressed. “Not according to you.”

There is! his bear snarled. Tell her. Tell her now!

“It’s complicated,” Stanley said, fighting to keep his voice level.

“No, Stanley. It’s really not.” Barb’s eyes didn’t waver. “June thinks she misread everything. That maybe she imagined the way you look at her. The way you make Oli laugh. She’s doubting herself because you won’t tell her the truth.”

Stanley exhaled sharply and stepped behind the counter. He needed the solid wood between them, just for a minute. “I didn’t want to pressure her. She’s rebuilding her life. Finding her footing.”

“And you think that makes lying by omission noble?” Barb’s voice cracked, just slightly. “You’re letting her twist herself into knots while you hide behind polite smiles and soft words.”

Stanley’s shoulders sagged. “I’m trying to protect her.”

“You’re protecting yourself,” Barb said flatly.

“You think you’re sparing her, but I see how she’s changing.

How she’s breathing easier. How Oli runs ahead now, instead of behind.

She’s finding her way, Stanley. And you…

” she took a step closer, voice trembling with barely restrained feeling “…you could be the best thing that ever happened to them. Or you could hurt them worse than anyone else. And believe me, you have some competition in that department.”

He froze.

Barb saw the flicker in his expression, and her tone softened, barely. “Don’t toy with her, Stanley. Not if this isn’t real. She’s not some plaything for you to pick up and then drop when your true mate comes along.”

“I would never toy with her.” His voice came out rough. “She’s…they’re everything.”

“So answer me this.” Barb’s eyes bored into him. “Is she your mate?”

Silence stretched taut between them.

Then he said, “Yes.”

Barb closed her eyes. Just for a moment. When she opened them again, something fierce and protective and raw gleamed in their depths. “Then tell her.”

I agree with the scary lady, his bear said.

Stanley gripped the edge of the counter. “She’s got Oli to think about. I didn’t want to disrupt them. I didn’t want to be another upheaval. I didn’t want to make things harder for them.”

Barb let out a long breath, some of her fire fading. “She’ll always put her son first. That’s who she is. But you? You could be the one person who gives her the freedom to stop bracing for the next storm. You could be there for her, Stanley. For them both.”

She’s right, his bear murmured. She’s terrifying. But she’s right.

“She deserves to know the truth,” Barb added, hoisting her purse higher. “And if you care about her half as much as you pretend not to, you’ll give her the dignity of choice. Because she’s strong enough to make it.”

She turned to go, then paused, hand on the door. “If you love them, Stanley, show them. And if you’re too much of a coward…” she met his eyes one last time, and this time her voice was low, steady, almost kind, “…then I’ll tell her for you. And I won’t be gentle.”

The bell jingled again. The door clicked shut.

Silence settled like dust.

Stanley stood there, heartbeat thudding, as Barb’s words cut deep into his soul, severing

the last thread of his resistance.

Every word felt like a blow, but the truth was undeniable. Barb thought he’d been a coward. Not noble. Not protective. Just afraid.

And in a way, he was afraid. Afraid of hurting his mate.

He moved to Herbert’s enclosure and gathered the rabbit again, holding him close.

The small body nestled trustingly into his chest.

“I need to tell her.”

His bear stirred, warm and satisfied. Good. Because the scariest part of all this?

Stanley looked out toward the door. “What?”

If this goes well…Barb is going to be our aunt-in-law.

Stanley winced. Oh no.

Oh yes, his bear said grimly. And she will wear that title like armor…and wield it like a sword.

Stanley scratched Herbert’s ears. “I need more coffee.”

And a will.

“Don’t be dramatic.”

We are talking about Barb, remember, his bear said lightly.

He laughed softly and glanced toward the door once more.

One day, I am going to thank Barb, Stanley said.

For being so scary? his bear asked.

No, for loving June and Oli so very much, Stanley said.