Page 13 of The Bear’s Second Chance Mate (Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #5)

June woke to the smell of fresh coffee drifting up from the kitchen.

She lay still for a moment, letting her senses adjust to the morning.

Her body still hummed with the memory of a dream.

One that left a heat across her skin and a deep ache of desire in her core.

Stanley’s hands had been on her skin, rough and sensual, his lips trailing down her neck as he slid his fingers inside her.

She’d felt the weight of him pressing her into soft sheets, his breath against her ear, his voice—low and full of desire—saying her name.

It had felt so real, she was almost surprised to wake and not find him lying next to her in bed.

She sighed and stretched her arm out, wishing he were there. Wishing he would pull her close and press his lips to her shoulder, before trailing kisses down her neck, while his hand cupped her breast, his thumb brushing against her nipple…

Time to get up!

She pushed back the covers, pulled on her robe, and padded to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face before heading downstairs.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, flushed cheeks, still slightly parted lips, and shook her head, embarrassed by how much she’d wanted him, even in sleep.

As she patted her face dry, she forced herself to think of anything other than Stanley Thornberg and his talented fingers and mouth. Of the way he made love to her like no other man had…

“Urgh.” She leaned her forehead against the cool bathroom mirror. She truly was a lost cause.

Lost in love with a man she barely knew.

But that wasn’t true. Deep down, it was as if she knew him in her soul.

All she had to do was open herself up to the possibility.

She slowly raised her head and looked at her reflection. Was that it? Was she the reason he was holding back?

Was she sending out the wrong signals? Signals that said, Stay back, buddy, there’s nothing for you here.

Shaking her head, she went downstairs. Perhaps a hot cup of coffee would clear her head.

“Morning,” Barb said, not looking up from the toast she was buttering as June entered the kitchen.

Her voice lacked its usual edge, the one that had sharpened every time Stanley’s name had come up in the past week.

Ever since Barb got home last night, she’d sounded more…

reserved. As if she were holding something back.

“Morning,” June replied, watching her aunt’s face for clues. “Coffee smells good.”

Barb pushed a mug toward her in silence, then sat down, her expression unreadable. She didn’t nag. Didn’t pry.

Just like Stanley , June thought. Both of them were more comfortable with quiet than with questions.

But something about Barb’s silence this morning felt less like disapproval and more like…consideration. As if she were mulling something over.

Goodness, June hoped she wasn’t changing her mind about June and Oli living here.

No, Barb would not do that to them. Barb had offered June and Oli a place to live until June got a job. And her aunt might be many things, but once she made a promise, she stuck to it.

June poured herself a cup of coffee and settled at the table. “I was thinking of taking Oli to the pet store to see Herbert after school today.”

June waited for the inevitable comment about Stanley, about shifters, about being careful. But, “Hmm,” was all Barb said, the sound so neutral it could have meant anything.

June blinked, thrown off balance by the lack of reaction. No lecture. No warnings. No raised eyebrows. Just... “hmm.”

“Did you say we are going to visit Herbert today?” The kitchen door swung open and Oli shuffled in, still in his pajamas, clutching his sketchbook to his chest. He climbed onto his chair, immediately opened the book.

“I might have,” June said.

“I’m drawing Herbert as a superhero.” Oli picked up a crayon.

Barb set a plate of toast and fruit in front of Oli, careful not to disturb his drawing space. “Eat something while you work, kiddo.”

Oli reached for a piece of toast without looking up, taking a small bite before returning to his drawing.

“I thought you were going to update your resume and drive over to the clinic in Haverford. You know, the personal touch might give you an edge,” Barb said as she poured herself a cup of coffee and offered June a top-up.

“Thanks,” June said and reached for a piece of toast. “I am. It’s a long drive. I would not be able to commute…” She glanced at Oli, but he wasn’t listening to their adult conversation; he was too busy giving Herbert a red cloak.

Barb nodded thoughtfully. “True. But it would be a good start. Something to build on while you look for something closer.”

June nodded. Aunt Barb was right. But the longer she lived in Bear Creek, the more she knew this was where she wanted to stay.

And not just because of Stanley. Was it?

“I suppose,” June said, stirring her coffee though she had added nothing to it. “I’ll check whether the position is still open.”

Barb’s smile was warm but didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Good. You’ve worked so hard for this, June. I’d hate to see you sidetracked.”

There it was, the warning. Don’t get distracted by Stanley Thornberg.

“I don’t intend to,” June said as she bit into her toast.

“No matter what happens,” Barb said as she got up, kissed Oli on the top of the cheek, and headed for the door. “Have fun at the pet store. See you later.”

“Bye,” June said, tugging her brows together in confusion.

Barb was definitely in a strange mood today. And what exactly did she mean by, no matter what happens?

The door had barely closed behind Barb when June’s phone rang. Her heart skipped when Stanley’s name appeared on the screen.

“Hello?” she answered, turning away from Oli, who was still absorbed in his drawing.

“Hey, June.” Stanley’s voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant. “I hope I’m not calling too early.”

“Not at all,” she said, moving toward the window. “We’ve been up for a while.”

Her voice was calm, but her mind buzzed with the memory of how he’d made love to her in that dream. How it had made her ache with longing to wake up without him there .

“Great.” A pause. “I was wondering if you’d had a chance to think about Herbert. I don’t think his owners are going to claim him. And I know Oli was pretty attached to him. So I wanted to ask you first before I try to re-home him.”

June watched her son at the table, his small fingers carefully coloring Herbert’s cape. “Yes. I’d love to,” she said without giving anything away. If she told Oli before school, there would be no way he’d get through the day without being constantly distracted. “If you are sure.”

“That’s wonderful,” Stanley said, the smile evident in his voice. “Herbert deserves a family of his own. I think he knew it was going to be you guys all along.”

June smiled to herself. “Maybe he did.”

She wanted to tell him she’d dreamed of him. That she was sure Herbert had been meant to bring them together. But this was not the time.

“I could help you set up a hutch,” Stanley offered. “In fact, if you’re free today, I could come by. Build something with Oli. He seemed like he might enjoy a project.”

The idea of Stanley working alongside Oli, building something together, felt right in a way she couldn’t explain.

“That would be...really nice,” she said, surprised by the slight tremor in her voice. “Look forward to it.”

“Great. I can be there around four, if that’s not too early? I’ll bring the supplies and Herbert, of course.”

“Perfect. We’ll be here.” As she hung up the phone, she felt ridiculously happy.

And it was all because of Stanley Thornberg.