Page 3 of The Bear’s Second Chance Mate (Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #5)

The world outside the truck’s windshield looked exactly the same as Stanley drove away from his mate and toward the pet store. But nothing was the same. His world had shifted. Turned on its head. All because of one chance meeting in a stranger’s backyard.

It all seemed so surreal. Had he truly just met his mate thanks to one of Finn’s matchmaking mix-ups?

Yes , his bear roared in his head.

Stanley glanced sideways at the crate resting on the passenger seat. The soft rustling of straw as the rabbit burrowed deeper was actual, living, breathing proof of his encounter with June.

Yet, it was still hard to believe. After so much longing, so much waiting, he’d finally met his mate.

He kept one hand on the wheel, the other steadying the crate as he steered the truck around a bend. His fingers trembled slightly as the enormity of the last couple of hours hit him. He’d met his mate. And she had a son.

Which meant he had a ready-made family.

How lucky was he?

Very , his bear stirred with restless energy.

Stanley exhaled through his nose and tightened his grip on the wheel. He needed to keep his focus on the road. He needed to get the rabbit back to the store and settled for the night, just as he’d promised Oli.

Oli… He was a special kid. It was obvious he saw the world differently, but he had a quiet inner strength and gentle kindness about him.

Despite his own challenges, he’d shown deep empathy for the rabbit.

He’d calmed himself, even though, when Stanley arrived, it had sounded like he was in the middle of a meltdown.

Then he’d focused on helping, speaking softly to the rabbit with a steadiness that moved Stanley more than he could say. There was courage in that kind of calm. A quiet bravery. And Stanley sensed how much it had cost Oli and understood how much it meant.

He couldn’t wait to be a part of their lives. To make a home with them.

His bear gave a soft growl. Then tell her.

No. His voice was firm now. It’s too soon. She probably doesn’t know. About us. About any of it.

She will if you tell her , his bear said.

Yeah, he whispered. But not yet.

June was cautious around him. Maybe because he’d turned up in her backyard unannounced. Or maybe because of her past. Of whatever had brought her to Bear Creek.

But one thing was certain, the wariness in her posture hadn’t been imagined. He’d seen it in the tight set of her shoulders, the protective way she kept Oli close, the barely veiled suspicion in her eyes, even as she’d begun to trust him.

Stanley understood that kind of weight. That kind of responsibility.

He signaled and turned onto the road that led toward his shop. The town was quieter now. Most folks were home, preparing dinner, settling in for the night.

Stanley’s pulse finally began to slow as the store came into view, though he still buzzed with pent-up energy. Meeting June had awakened a primal part of him he never knew existed. A part that wanted to claim her, right then and there, to tell the world she was his.

His bear gave a low rumble of agreement. But they both knew that kind of behavior would have done nothing but scare June off.

Stanley pulled into the narrow drive behind Bear Creek Pets and parked the truck. He got out and reached for the crate. Herbert blinked up at him, ears twitching, as if he, too, sensed something important had shifted in the world.

“Big day for both of us,” Stanley murmured. “Let’s get you settled.”

The soft chime above the back door of Bear Creek Pets rang as Stanley stepped inside, Herbert’s crate balanced carefully in his arms. The store was dim and peaceful this time of evening, the front lights already off, the aisles quiet and still.

Only the gentle hum of the fish tanks and the occasional rustle of small paws in the enclosures broke the silence.

Stanley moved through the store as he always did after hours, calm, steady, methodical, careful not to spook the animals.

He carried Herbert to the back corner, where he kept a few extra enclosures, reserved for boarding pets or strays like this one.

He set the crate down on the floor beside an empty pen, already cleaned and lined with sawdust.

“Here we go, little guy,” he whispered. “Fresh start.”

He opened the crate door and waited, giving the rabbit space. Herbert took a tentative hop forward, then another, ears twitching. Stanley didn’t rush him as he crouched down, watching as Herbert adjusted to his new home. That was the key to animals, he’d learned. Space. Gentleness. Time.

His bear stirred contentedly. That will work on our mate, too.

I believe it will. Stanley reached for a small ceramic bowl and filled it with water, then added a handful of leafy greens to a terracotta dish. The final touch was a handful in the corner of the pen, just right for burrowing.

“You’re in good hands now,” Stanley murmured, placing the bowl down with care. “Let’s hope your people come for you.”

We found ours today , his bear said, his voice full of reverence.

Stanley paused, one hand still resting on the edge of the enclosure. He let the weight of that truth settle in his chest. He’d found his mate. Not in a dream, or a future hope, or some far-off wish. She was here. Real. Breathing the same mountain air.

Yeah, he said softly, voice rough. We did.

As he kneeled by Herbert’s enclosure, arranging the water dish just right, Stanley’s thoughts wandered—not forward, but back.

He thought of Nero, of that ridiculous moment when he’d met his mate and practically proposed in the middle of a wedding fair.

He thought of Kris and Cassia, of how his brother had glowed with pride as they’d prepped the barn together for her dream restaurant.

One by one, his brothers had found someone.

Each meeting was different. Each bond was undeniable.

He’d been happy for them. Truly. But a part of him had wondered if fate had simply forgotten about him. Or worse, if maybe he wasn’t meant for anyone at all.

And now, today, in the most unexpected way, he’d found her.

But even though thoughts of his mate threatened to consume him, he switched his focus back to Herbert. That was how Stanley worked. One thing at a time. One life at a time. Even with the world shifting under his feet, he could still care for this rabbit.

He double-checked the latches on the pen and dimmed the overhead lights until they cast a warm glow over the space. From a small speaker tucked near the back of the room, he queued up a playlist of soft instrumental music, his usual calming routine for animals who needed a little extra comfort.

It was his way of creating peace. Not just for them. For himself, too.

Because until he told his mate everything, until she accepted him for who he was and embraced the bond they shared, he feared he might never find peace again.

She will , his bear reassured him.

Stanley stood for a long moment, watching Herbert munch on his hay, the sound more soothing than any music.

The rabbit was safe. Cared for. Just as June and Oli would be, if he ever got the chance.

His bear rumbled gently. Soon.

“Maybe,” Stanley said aloud, as he left Herbert to settle in and headed for his office. “But not just yet.”

The hum of the store faded into the background as Stanley sat at his desk, a mug of lukewarm coffee cradled in his hands. The scent of hay still clung to his flannel shirt, grounding him, even as his mind spun.

He stared at his phone for a long moment before unlocking it.

His thumb hovered over Finn’s name. Finn, who had given him so much without even realizing it.

Just call him, his bear urged. He needs to know.

Stanley took a breath, then tapped the button. The phone rang once—twice—before his brother answered, upbeat as always.

“Hey there! Everything okay with the bunny rescue?”

Stanley swallowed, suddenly unsure how to say the words now crowding his chest.

“I met her.”

“The rabbit?” Finn asked.

“No. Her ,” Stanley said with more emphasis.

There was a pause on the line. Then, quieter: “What?”

“My mate,” Stanley said, voice rough. “Today. Just now.”

Finn’s silence stretched a moment longer, then turned into a whoop so loud Stanley had to pull the phone away from his ear. He smiled despite himself.

“You’re serious?” Finn finally said. “Wait…did you meet her at number twelve?”

Stanley let out a slow breath. “Yeah. June. And her son, Oli.”

“June…” Finn repeated, his tone shifting. “Oh man. You met her because I messed up, again?”

Stanley leaned back in his chair, a tired chuckle escaping. “You did.”

“I can’t believe I did it again,” Finn murmured.

“Believe it,” Stanley said, “because it happened.”

Finn’s voice was low when he spoke. “I’m happy for you, Stan. You deserve this.”

“Thank you,” Stanley said simply. “I know it wasn’t on purpose, but...I can never thank you enough.”

Finn let out a long exhale. “Hey, you don’t have to thank me. Your time was coming.”

“It’s coming for you, too,” Stanley said, recognizing all too well the sound of longing in Finn’s voice. “And when it does, I’ll mess up a message for you so good, she won’t know what hit her.”

That earned a short laugh. “Deal.”

Stanley’s bear stretched inside him, rumbling with approval. It’ll be epic.

Stanley smiled to himself. “All right, it’s getting late. I’ll let you go. Just...thanks.”

“No problem,” Finn said. “Did you catch the rabbit, too?”

“I did,” Stanley confirmed. “It was in Mrs. Abernathy’s garden at number twenty-one.”

Finn groaned. “You didn’t tell her I mixed up the numbers, did you?”

“Do you want me to lie?” Stanley chuckled.

Finn groaned louder. “No, and I am sure she’ll remind me when I see her next.”

“I’m sure she will, since she already mentioned how bad you are at dates,” Stanley said. “Night, Finn.”

“Night, Stanley.”

After ending the call with Finn, Stanley sat for another long moment. Then, almost on instinct, he reached for his phone again and opened the camera. Quietly, he walked back through the store and snapped a photo of Herbert nestled in the hay, one floppy ear twitching in the dim light.

He stared at the image for a long time, then tapped into his messages.

Herbert’s safe. Just thought Oli might want to see.

That didn’t sound quite right. So he hit delete.

And tried again.

Let me know if Oli wants updates. Or a bunny visit.

Too much? Deleted.

After a couple more attempts, he settled on… Made it home safe. Herbert’s tucked in for the night. Let me know if Oli wants a photo or update anytime.

Then he added the image and hit send before he could overthink it.

Back at his desk, the notification showing the message had been delivered gave him a strange kind of satisfaction.

When his phone buzzed in his hand, he nearly dropped it.

June had replied.

Thank you. Oli was worried, but this made him smile. He says Herbert looks cozy.

Stanley smiled, rereading the message twice. He could almost picture Oli saying the word cozy , voice careful, deliberate. And he imagined June standing beside him, reading the message aloud or letting her son take comfort in the picture on his own terms.

Anytime, he replied. Happy to send more updates if it helps.

Another pause. Then she replied,

That would be lovely. Thank you again.

Stanley needed nothing more than that.

She’d let him in, just a little.

Stanley placed his phone on the desk, the screen still glowing.

He stared at the words for a long moment and then drained his coffee cup and stood up.

Time to go home.

Alone.

But if he had his way, soon he’d have June and Oli to go home to.

And for that, he could not wait.