Page 19 of The Bear’s Second Chance Mate (Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #5)

June drove home from Oli’s school. She inhaled deeply, trying to steady her racing heart, but Stanley’s touch lingered on her skin from their encounter in the storeroom this morning, hidden from curious eyes behind bags of pet food.

“Mom, do you think Herbert missed me today?” Oli asked from the backseat, his backpack clutched against his chest.

June caught his eye in the rearview mirror and smiled. “I bet he’s been waiting by the hutch door since breakfast.”

As she turned onto Barb’s street, June allowed her mind to drift back to Stanley—the desire in his eyes as he’d traced her collarbone with his fingertips, the gentle rumble in his chest when she’d pressed her ear against it.

Being with him made her feel younger, carefree and wanted.

As if she were the most important thing in his world.

“Can we give Herbert a strawberry when we get home?” Oli’s voice pulled her back to the present. “Stanley said they’re his favorite treat.”

“Of course we can,” June said, pulling into the driveway. “But remember, just one. Too many sweet things aren’t good for rabbits. Or little boys.”

The moment she cut the engine, Oli was unbuckling his seatbelt. “I made Herbert a drawing at school today. Ms. Wilson said it was fantastic!”

“I can’t wait to see it,” June said, collecting her purse as Oli scrambled out of the car and raced toward the backyard. As he opened the gate, he looked like any other boy his age, and she took a moment to enjoy it.

Coming to Bear Creek might have been out of desperation, but she was more thankful than words could say. It had been life-changing. And life-affirming.

She rounded the corner of the house to find Oli already kneeling by Herbert’s hutch, carefully unlatching the door. His movements were deliberate, measured, so different from the frantic energy that often overtook him when excited.

He understood that his actions might frighten Herbert. She was proud of his empathy for the small white bunny.

“Look, Mom! He remembers me!” Oli whispered as Herbert hopped toward him, nose twitching inquisitively.

June kneeled beside her son, watching as he gently stroked the rabbit’s soft fur. The sight made her throat tighten. How many times had she prayed for this, for Oli to find connection, for him to experience joy without the accompanying overwhelm that so often followed?

“Let’s get him some fresh hay,” she suggested, reaching for the bag they kept beside the hutch. “And then we can give him that strawberry.”

Together, they refreshed Herbert’s bedding, filled his water bottle, and arranged a small selection of vegetables in his food dish.

Oli narrated each step, explaining to Herbert why fresh hay was important and how the water bottle mechanism worked.

His voice was steady, his usual hand-flapping contained to just the occasional finger wiggle.

June sat back on her heels, watching as Oli carefully offered Herbert a strawberry, delight spreading across his face as the rabbit’s pink tongue darted out to investigate the treat.

“He likes it!” Oli whispered, his eyes wide with wonder.

“He sure does,” June agreed, as tears pricked her eyes.

In this moment, with Oli’s happiness radiating like a physical force between them, June allowed herself to imagine a future here in Bear Creek.

Mornings waking up beside Stanley, afternoons feeding the animals at his cabin, weekends spent hiking the mountain trails he’d described, and evenings around a table with Oli chattering about his day.

But as quickly as the vision formed, doubt crept in.

Was she being swept away too easily? Letting herself be carried by feelings instead of practical considerations?

She’d moved to Bear Creek while she tried to build a career that would support Oli’s needs.

Not to fall headfirst into a relationship, no matter how right it felt.

“Mom, can we build Herbert a maze? Stanley said rabbits like to explore,” Oli asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“That sounds like a great project for the weekend,” she replied, pushing her doubts aside for now. “We could use some of those cardboard boxes in the garage.”

Oli beamed, carefully closing Herbert’s hutch before standing. “I’m going to draw a plan for it right now!”

He raced toward the house, his excitement propelling him forward. June followed more slowly, gathering their bags from where they’d been abandoned on the grass.

Inside, Oli had already spread his drawing supplies across the kitchen table, his tongue caught between his teeth as he sketched his vision for Herbert’s maze. June set about preparing a snack, her mind still cycling between hope and hesitation.

The sound of keys jingling in the front door announced Barb’s return from work. June heard the familiar thump as her aunt’s purse hit the entry table, followed by the clatter of keys dropping into the ceramic bowl by the door.

“I’m home,” Barb called, her footsteps approaching the kitchen. “How was school, kiddo?”

“I made a drawing of Herbert,” Oli replied without looking up. “And now I’m designing him a maze.”

“A drawing of Herbert, what a surprise,” Barb said, but not unkindly. June’s aunt seemed to understand the way Oli’s brain worked and how he developed an intense focus on one thing.

June turned from the counter, a plate of apple slices and cheese in her hand. Her aunt stopped short, eyes narrowing slightly as she took in June’s appearance.

“Well, someone’s glowing,” Barb said with a knowing smirk. “Good day?”

Heat rushed to June’s cheeks. She turned back to the counter, busying herself with arranging Oli’s snack. “Just the usual.”

“Mm-hmm,” Barb hummed, unconvinced. “Just the usual has you lit up like a Christmas tree.”

June set the plate beside Oli’s drawing, avoiding Barb’s gaze. “Is that so?”

Barb stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve got a certain pet store owner on your mind.”

The blush deepened, spreading down June’s neck. “Is that a problem?” she whispered, nodding toward Oli, who remained absorbed in his drawing.

To her surprise, Barb’s expression softened. She reached out, pulling June into a quick, fierce hug. “I’m happy for you, June. Truly,” she murmured against June’s hair. “I was just worried before... I’ve seen what it looks like when a Thornberg turns your head. I didn’t want you to lose yourself.”

June pulled back, touched by the sentiment even as she registered the warning beneath it. “I know. Thank you.”

“But promise me one thing…” Barb released her but kept one hand on June’s shoulder. “Don’t forget what you came here for,” she added, her voice firm. “You worked hard for that degree. You deserve a career.”

The words stung more than June expected. She stepped away, reaching for the kettle. “What if following that career takes me away from Bear Creek?” she asked quietly, keeping her back to her aunt.

Barb was silent for a long moment. When June finally turned, she found her aunt watching her with an unreadable expression.

“Then make damn sure you know what you’re willing to give up,” Barb said finally, her hand coming to rest on June’s shoulder.

The weight of those words settled in June’s chest, heavy and uncomfortable. Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the front door.

Oli’s head snapped up, his drawing forgotten. “Stanley! He’s come to visit Herbert!” he cried, pushing back his chair with a screech of wood against tile. He darted past them, racing toward the entrance.

June’s heart leaped, her body responding to Stanley’s presence before her mind could catch up. She smoothed her hair reflexively, painfully aware of Barb’s observant gaze.

“You’ve got it bad,” Barb muttered, shaking her head.

June didn’t have time to respond before Oli returned, practically dragging Stanley by the hand. The sight of him, with his windswept hair, flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and shy smile that brightened when he spotted her, made June’s stomach flutter like she was sixteen again.

“Hi,” she managed, hyper-aware of Barb’s scrutiny.

“Hi,” Stanley replied, his eyes holding hers for a moment longer than necessary.

Barb crossed her arms and arched her eyebrow. “Stanley.”

“Barb.” Stanley chuckled. “I’m glad you are here.”

“Really?” Barb asked.

“Yes...” he began, shifting his weight slightly, “I was hoping to invite you all to something.”

Barb’s eyebrow climbed higher. “Brave.”

“I’d say optimistic,” Stanley replied with a perfectly straight face.

“Go on,” Barb said with a wave of her hand.

“It’s harvest day at the vineyard this Saturday,” Stanley explained, his eyes brightening with enthusiasm. “We do it every year. The family gets together for grape picking. We make a day of it; there’s food, music. It’s nothing fancy,” he added quickly, “but I’d like you to come. All of you.”

Oli began bouncing on his toes, excitement radiating from him. “Can we go, Mom? Please?”

June hesitated. The thought of meeting Stanley’s family like this sounded overwhelming. And not just for Oli. “That sounds lovely,” she heard herself say. “We’d be happy to come.”

She glanced at Barb, needing her support. To her surprise, her aunt’s face had softened into something almost wistful.

“I’d love to,” Barb said quietly.

“Great,” Stanley said, looking a little nervous.

“Can we go check on Herbert now?” Oli asked.

“Sure,” Stanley said, and with a lingering look at June, he followed Oli out of the kitchen.

June watched him go and then turned to the kettle. The water had just begun to boil. She pulled two mugs from the cabinet, her hands trembling slightly as she dropped tea bags into them.

“Everything all right?” Barb asked, leaning against the counter.

June exhaled slowly. “I’m just...nervous about meeting his family. At an event like this.” She poured the hot water, watching it darken as it seeped through the tea bags. “What if they don’t like me? Or worse, what if Oli gets overwhelmed?”

Barb stepped closer, her hand warm and steady as she rubbed June’s back in small circles. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”

June looked up, surprised by the gentleness in her aunt’s voice. “Thanks. I didn’t think you’d want to come, given...everything.”

“I figured it was time I got over my issues with Hugo,” Barb said, taking her mug and wrapping her fingers around it. “Since one day soon, they’re likely to become family.”

June frowned, the word “family” landing heavily in her chest. It was happening so fast—this connection, this bond that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and yet felt as old as time.

Barb rolled her eyes at June’s expression. “Stanley did explain what being his mate means, didn’t he?”

“Yes,” June nodded, staring into her tea. “That we’re meant to spend the rest of our lives together.”

“Which means,” Barb continued, her voice softening, “you’re going to be part of the Thornberg family.

” She set her mug down with a gentle clink.

“And I want to be a big part of your life, June. Yours and your boy’s.

Which means I’m going to have to face Hugo sooner or later.

” She shrugged, trying for nonchalance but not quite achieving it. “Might as well be sooner.”

Her heart ached for her aunt. She set her own mug down and wrapped her arms around her aunt, breathing in the familiar scent of Barb’s perfume. “I love you,” she whispered. “And I’m here for you. Always. That will never change.”

Barb returned the hug, her arms strong and secure. “Always remember, I want the best for you.” They stood like that for a moment, until Barb pulled away, blinking rapidly. “Now drink your tea before it gets cold.”