Page 21 of The Bear’s Second Chance Mate (Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #5)

June traced the rim of her wineglass with her fingertip, watching the liquid catch the light. It had been a long day of backbreaking work, and her muscles ached from harvesting the grapes. But it was a good ache.

And now, sitting here with a glass of wine in her hand and Stanley beside her as the sun set behind the mountains, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this kind of peace. The kind that settled deep in her bones and made her forget to worry about what came next.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Stanley murmured, his voice a warm rumble beside her.

June smiled, leaning into his solid presence. “Just thinking about how right this feels.”

Stanley’s knee brushed against hers under the table, a casual touch that still sent a current of awareness through her. She remembered the first time he’d touched her—handing her a mug of coffee at the pet store, their fingers grazing—and how even then, something had sparked between them.

She hadn’t dared hope it would grow into this. Not back then.

“Look at Oli,” she said, nodding toward where her son was hunkered down next to Charlie as they took it in turns to peer through his special magnifying glass at an ants’ nest.

“He’s a natural Thornberg,” Stanley replied, pride evident in his voice. “He’s got a deep love and respect for the world around him.”

June took a sip of wine, letting the crisp flavor linger on her tongue. “It’s not just that. It’s...he feels safe here. With your family.” She hesitated, then added quietly, “With you.”

“Do you think you could be happy here?” Stanley asked, his eyes searching hers. “In Bear Creek, I mean.”

June’s heart fluttered at the question and all it implied. “I already am,” she admitted.

Stanley smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in that way that made her stomach do a little flip. “Would you like to go for a walk? There’s a path through the vineyard that’s beautiful at sunset.”

June groaned dramatically and leaned back in her chair. “My legs ache so much I don’t think I could walk another step. Those grapes were determined to make me work for every bunch.”

Stanley’s face fell, disappointment evident in the slump of his shoulders. “Oh, I understand. Maybe another…”

“I’m joking,” June said quickly, punching his arm lightly. “I’d love to go for a walk with you.”

His smile returned, brighter than before. “You had me worried for a second there.”

He stood up and held out his hand to her. She took it, feeling that instant spark of recognition she would never tire of, the one that ignited a fire inside her. As he pulled her to her feet, June glanced toward Oli. “I should tell him where we’re going. He might want to come with us.”

“That’s fine with me,” Stanley said, and she believed him completely.

June made her way over to where Oli and Charlie were hunched over a small dirt mound, their faces inches from the ground. “Oli, Stanley and I are going for a short walk. Would you like to come?”

Oli barely looked up. “No thanks. We found a colony of carpenter ants. They’re building tunnels right now.”

“They can lift twenty times their body weight,” Charlie added excitedly. “And they have special mandibles for chewing wood!”

“The queen can live for up to twenty-five years,” Oli chimed in, his eyes still fixed on the tiny creatures. “That’s longer than some dogs.”

Like two peas in a pod, June thought, happy beyond belief that Oli had made a special friend. One who seemed to see the world as he did.

“Okay,” she said. “Aunt Barb is at that table if you need anything.”

“Okay, Mom,” Oli replied, already refocused on the ants.

Stanley took her hand as they reached the edge of the vines, his palm warm and calloused against hers.

The touch sent a small thrill up her arm.

They strolled together in comfortable silence, following a path that wound between the orderly rows.

June leaned against his shoulder, breathing in the earthy scent of him mixed with the sweet fragrance of ripened grapes.

The distant hoot of an owl echoed across the valley, followed by the mournful howl of a wolf from the mountains. The sounds made the night come alive around them, wild and mysterious.

Much like her mate.

They stopped at a small clearing where the vineyard opened to a view of the valley below. The first stars had begun to appear in the deepening blue of the sky. Stanley turned to face her, his expression suddenly serious as he cupped her face in his large hand.

“June,” he whispered, and then his lips were on hers, tender at first, then more urgent.

She melted into him, her arms winding around his neck as the kiss deepened, and she could taste the wine they’d shared earlier on his tongue. When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Stanley rested his forehead against hers.

“I love you,” he said, the words hanging in the cool evening air between them.

June’s heart soared. She’d never been good at saying things like this. But now the words came easily.

“I love you, too,” she whispered back, the truth of it resonating through her entire body.

It seemed impossible to love a man so completely after only knowing him a short time, but she did. With the whole of her heart.

He kissed her again, more gently this time, and then pulled her into his arms. They stood holding each other under the stars, her cheek pressed against his chest where she could hear the steady thump of his heart, and June wished they could stay in this moment forever.

A bear and its mate. How many other shifters had stood under the moon and stars and declared their love for each other? Had held each other in their arms. Had promised each other forever.

But they could not stay there forever, and, eventually, the cooling air and the distant sounds of laughter from the tables reminded them of the world waiting for them. Hand in hand, they made their way back to the gathering.

“It’s getting late,” June said reluctantly when they returned and went to check on Oli, who was still watching the ants. “We should probably head home.”

“But Mom,” Oli protested through a yawn he couldn’t quite suppress, “we’re still watching the ants.”

Marion, Charlie’s mother, came to join them. “Why don’t we arrange a playdate? Charlie would love to have Oli over.”

“You can come and look at my bug books,” Charlie told Oli.

“Can I, Mom? Please?” Oli asked, perking up despite his obvious fatigue.

“That sounds wonderful,” June agreed, noting how her son’s eyelids were drooping despite his excitement. But there was no sign of a tantrum at being told they had to leave. No hand-waving or raised voices.

As they gathered their things to leave, Oli surprised her by turning to Stanley. “Will you carry me to the car? I’m really tired.”

June’s breath caught in her throat. Oli rarely allowed physical contact with anyone outside their immediate family. The request was so unexpected, so trusting, that she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

“Of course, buddy,” Stanley replied casually, as if it were the most natural request in the world. He crouched down and let Oli climb onto his back.

“I’ll catch you up,” Barb said as she got up from her chair.

“Okay.” Was Barb being tactful, giving June time alone with Stanley and Oli? She was certainly seeing a different side to Barb since Stanley had revealed he and June were mates.

June walked side by side with Stanley as he carried her son to the car with tender care, Oli’s head resting trustingly against his broad shoulder. This was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Stanley gently settled Oli into the backseat and buckled his seatbelt. “Goodnight, Oli. Thanks for all your help today.”

“Night, Stanley,” Oli mumbled, already half-asleep.

Stanley closed the door softly and turned to June. Their eyes met in the dim light, and he reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Drive safe,” he said, his thumb tracing circles on her palm.

“I will,” she promised, wishing she could kiss him goodnight but aware of Oli watching from the backseat.

“Night, Thornberg,” Barb said as she slid into the passenger seat. “Your family makes a decent wine.”

“Night, Barb,” Stanley said. “I’ll be sure to pass the compliment on.”

June smothered a smile. In some ways, Barb had changed, and in some ways, Barb was exactly the same. And June would not change her for the world.

As they drove down the winding road away from the vineyard, June glanced at Oli in the rearview mirror. His eyes were heavy with sleep, but he was watching her with an expression she couldn’t quite read.

“Mom?” he asked suddenly.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Are you and Stanley going to get married?”

June nearly swerved off the road, her heart stuttering in her chest. She glanced sideways at Barb, who said nothing, her face unreadable. “What makes you ask that?”

“You look at him the way people look at each other in movies before they get married,” Oli said matter-of-factly. “And he looks at you the same way.”

June swallowed hard. “How would you feel if we did?”

There was a pause, and June held her breath.

“I’d like that,” Oli said finally. “Stanley knows a lot about animals. And he’s nice.” Another pause. “If you get married, could I get a special magnifying glass as a wedding present? One with a light on it like Charlie’s?”

June smothered a smile, relief washing through her. “Yes, I’m sure you can.”

“Out of the mouth of babes,” Barb said lightly. “All you need now is for Stanley to propose.”