Page 14 of The Bear’s Second Chance Mate (Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #5)

Stanley pulled into Barb’s driveway with a soft crunch of gravel, the hutch kit rattling gently in the back of the truck like a nervous passenger.

Only it was the driver who was nervous.

That’s because we’re about to take a risk, a big risk, his bear said, his nervous energy pulsing through their shared body.

But it carries the greatest reward, Stanley replied as he killed the engine.

Ever since Barb’s visit to the pet store, Stanley had been focused on one thing alone. Finding the right time to tell his mate the truth.

As soon as possible, his bear added.

But until he found the right time, he planned to show June how much she meant to him and how great they would be together.

All of them. June, Oli, Stanley…

And me, his bear said happily.

We are one and the same, Stanley told his bear.

I don’t think June is going to see it that way when you shift for the first time, his bear replied.

Yeah, you might be right. But he would not let that distract him from telling her.

Okay. Time to make his move. Stanley grabbed the toolkit from the passenger seat and reached for the container of homemade oat and honey cookies he’d spent half the night perfecting.

She’s here, his bear murmured. The scary one.

Stanley sighed. Barb isn’t all that scary.

Says the man who isn’t a bear. You didn’t see how she looked at us in the store. Like she could skin us and turn us into a rug.

That’s a bit dramatic, Stanley said, though his palms had gone slightly damp at the thought of facing Barb again after their confrontation.

Stanley got out of the truck and closed the door with a quiet thunk , the sound oddly final.

Like a nail in our coffin, his bear said.

Stanley chuckled. His bear was seriously being overdramatic. I can see where Barb is coming from. She’s just protective. And looking out for June.

She knows we are mates and we would never hurt June or Oli, his bear said.

Stanley adjusted the tin on top of the toolbox and crossed the short path to the gate. Through the slats, he caught sight of June kneeling in the garden, smoothing soil with bare hands, her hair twisted up in a loose knot at the back of her head.

For a moment, he stood watching her. He’d waited so long to meet her that there were still moments when he thought it was all a dream.

She is very real, his bear murmured.

Okay, let’s do this. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door rather than barging into the garden unannounced like he did before.

She is expecting us, his bear reminded him.

But Stanley waited patiently, even though each second that passed felt like an eternity, until finally the door swung open.

Barb stood in the doorway, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised as she took in the sight of him laden with supplies.

Don’t show fear, his bear whispered. Predators can smell fear.

“Afternoon, Barb,” Stanley said, managing a smile that he hoped didn’t look as nervous as it felt.

“Stanley.” Barb’s voice was neutral, but her eyes held a glint of amusement. “Quite the handyman setup you’ve got there.”

“I come prepared.” He lifted the cookie tin slightly. “Made these, too. Oat and honey.”

“Baking now, are we?” The corner of her mouth twitched. “My, my. Whatever will you pull out of your hat next? A rabbit, perhaps?”

Stanley cracked a smile. “He’s in the truck, actually.”

“Of course it is,” Barb said. “June and Oli are out back. They’ve been waiting for you.” She paused, her voice dropping slightly. “June’s boy is very excited.”

The implication wasn’t lost on him. Oli was excited, which meant he would be disappointed if things went wrong. If Stanley messed this up.

“I won’t let him down,” Stanley said, meeting Barb’s gaze directly.

Something in her expression softened, barely perceptible, but it was there. “See that you don’t. Neither of them.” She nodded toward the side gate. “Come on, I’ll show you the way.”

“Thanks,” Stanley said, relieved Barb wasn’t planning to skin him alive after all.

Yet, his bear murmured.

Stanley followed Barb around the side of the house to the back gate. It was like déjà vu, walking into the backyard and seeing June and Oli there.

Only this time, June wasn’t protective or defensive. She didn’t shield her son from Stanley.

Instead, she looked relaxed, with a smudge of dirt on her cheek from her work leveling a space for the hutch. And Oli…

“Stanley! Come and see what we’ve done.” Oli rushed forward and grabbed Stanley by the sleeve, propelling him forward.

“Careful,” June warned. “Stanley has his hands full.”

“I’ll help,” Oli said. “Oh, did you bring cookies?” He reached out for the tin.

“I did,” Stanley replied as he set the rest of his materials down.

“Can I have one, please?” Oli asked, looking from Stanley to his mom.

“Sure, but just one or you will ruin your appetite; it’s not long until dinner,” June said, an indulgent smile on her face.

“On that note, I’ll leave you to it. Some of us have better things to do than watch grown men play with lumber.” Barb gave Stanley a long, lingering look before she headed back out of the garden.

Stanley nodded, grateful for the privacy she was offering. “Thanks.”

Barb turned to look at him. “Just don’t mess it up, Thornberg. Either the hutch or the rest of it.”

See? Terrifying, his bear mumbled.

“These cookies are good, too,” Oli declared, his excitement evident in the way he bounced slightly on his toes. “Did you bring Herbert? And the hutch? Is it hard to build? I’ve been practicing being really careful with tools.”

Stanley crouched down to Oli’s level. “I did bring Herbert. He’s waiting in the truck until we have his new home ready. And yes, I brought everything we need to build the hutch.”

June approached, wiping her hands on her jeans, and Stanley had to remind himself to breathe. She looked beautiful and so much more relaxed. Had Barb told her they were mates?

“Hi,” she said with a shy smile.

“Hi.” The word came out rougher than he intended. “You’ve been busy.” He nodded toward the cleared patch of ground. “That looks perfect.”

A flush crept across her cheeks. “I wanted everything to be ready.”

Tell her how beautiful she is, his bear urged.

But Stanley swallowed the words. Not yet. Not like this.

“Should we get started?” he asked instead, reaching for the hutch kit.

They worked together in the dappled shade of an old oak tree. Stanley laid out all the pieces first, showing Oli how to identify each part, explaining how they would fit together.

“It’s like a puzzle,” he said, guiding Oli’s small hands as they sorted through the pieces. “Each part has a place where it belongs.”

Oli nodded solemnly, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Like Herbert, he belongs with us.”

Stanley nodded. “Exactly like that.”

June joined them on the grass, her knees brushing against Stanley’s as she leaned forward to examine the plans. The contact sent a jolt of awareness through him, and he had to force himself to focus on the task at hand.

She’s so close, his bear sighed happily. Can you smell her? Like summer.

Stanley could, in fact, catch the faint scent of her shampoo, something herbal and sweet that made him want to lean closer. Instead, he cleared his throat and pointed to the next step in the plans.

“We’ll attach these panels first,” he explained, keeping his voice steady despite the way his pulse quickened when June’s fingers accidentally brushed against his as they reached for the same piece.

They worked steadily, Stanley guiding Oli through each step, showing him how to hold the screwdriver, how to line up the panels, how to check that everything was square and level.

Not once did he rush or take over, even when Oli’s careful movements took three times as long as it would have if Stanley had done it himself.

He often looked up and found her watching them, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

She trusts us with her cub, his bear said proudly. That means everything.

As the hutch took shape, Stanley found himself stealing glances at June—the concentration in her eyes as she held pieces steady, the gentle way she encouraged Oli, the strength in her hands as she helped tighten bolts.

Each glimpse made him more certain that this would all work out just as fate intended.

That one day soon they would be a family.

But had Barb told her? Did she know about shifters, about mates? About him?

Ask her, his bear prodded. We need to know what she knows.

“Almost done,” Stanley said, ignoring his bear’s frustration at not knowing, as he guided Oli while he attached the last hinge on the hutch door. “Want to test it?”

Oli’s face lit up as he carefully swung the door open and closed. “It works! Can we get Herbert now?”

Stanley nodded, rising to his feet. “Let’s go meet him.”

He walked back to his truck, conscious of June following a few steps behind. As he reached into the cab for Herbert’s carrier, he felt her presence beside him, warm and real. So very real.

“Thank you for this,” she said quietly. “For all of it.”

Stanley turned to face her, the carrier in his hands. “You’re very welcome.”

She studied his face for a long moment, as if searching for something. And he hoped that, whatever it was, she found it.

Tell her, his bear urged. Tell her now.

But now was not the time.

“Can I carry Herbert?” Oli asked as he looked inside the pet carrier.

“Sure. Just keep it steady. And don’t worry if the little fella hops around.” Stanley handed the carrier to Oli, showing him how to hold it steady. “That’s it. Let’s get him settled in his new home.”

Together, they carried Herbert to the hutch. Stanley showed Oli how to transfer the rabbit safely, how to arrange the hay and water bottle, and how to make sure the door was secure. Herbert seemed to approve of his new accommodations, immediately beginning to explore his surroundings.

Oli watched in rapt fascination, whispering facts about rabbit care that he’d clearly memorized. “Herbert needs fresh vegetables every day. And clean water. And he likes to be talked to in a soft voice.”

“That’s right,” Stanley said, impressed by how much Oli had retained. “You’re going to take excellent care of him.”

June stood beside them, her shoulder almost touching Stanley’s, watching her son with the rabbit. The moment felt perfect—the three of them together in the late afternoon sun, Herbert contentedly nibbling hay, Oli’s face alight with joy.

This is how it should be, his bear rumbled. Our family.

Stanley allowed himself to imagine coming home to this every day, being part of their lives, building something lasting together.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?” June asked suddenly, the question taking him by surprise. “Aunt Barb is cooking. She always makes plenty.”

Stanley’s heart leaped at the invitation, but reality intruded. He had to get home to feed the collection of animals he’d rescued over the years, who were no doubt waiting for their dinner.

“I’d love to,” Stanley said honestly, “but I have chores to do at home.” The disappointment on her face made his heart ache, yet at the same time, hope bloomed. “Rain check?”

June nodded, but he didn’t miss the flash of uncertainty in her eyes. “Of course.”

“I’ll come by tomorrow,” he added quickly. “To check on Herbert. Make sure he’s settling in okay.”

“We’d like that.” Her smile returned, and he held her gaze, wishing she knew how he’d rather be here with her. But he took his responsibilities seriously. Just as he would take his responsibilities to his mate and her son seriously for the rest of their lives.

As they walked back toward his truck, Stanley could feel the weight of unspoken words between them. When they stopped beside the driver’s door, June swayed slightly toward him, her lips parted as if waiting for something. Their eyes met, and the moment stretched, charged with possibility.

Kiss her, his bear urged. She wants you to.

And so do I. Stanley’s heart hammered as he leaned forward slightly, irresistibly drawn to her.

“Mom!” Oli’s voice called from the garden. “Herbert is doing binkies! Come see!”

The moment broke. June stepped back, a flush on her cheeks. “I should…”

“Go,” Stanley said, understanding in his voice. “It’s okay.”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Until tomorrow, then.”

“Until tomorrow,” he echoed, the promise in those words hanging in the air between them.

He watched her walk back to Oli. Taking his heart and his hope with her.