Page 35 of Fire Bear

“Thanks for letting me know, Detective.”

When Ash walked outside after his shift, the autumn sun was low in the sky. He climbed into his truck and started the engine, setting off toward Fate Mountain’s small downtown.

During the drive, he passed trees with brilliant foliage, leaves drifting to the ground in slow spirals. The farmland near the outskirts showed hints of harvest season, pumpkins and gourds lining roadside stands.

His truck rumbled over the main street of the small downtown, where storefronts displayed pumpkins and autumn-themed wreaths. He parked outside a small jewelry store, one that had a wooden sign proclaiming the owner’s name in simple lettering.

It was the kind of shop that mostly catered to Fate Mountain’s local community, known for personalized service and handmade pieces. A little bell jingled when Ash pushed open the door. The interior was softly lit, with glass cases showcasing rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Polished wooden floors creaked under his boots.

A kindly older woman, the jeweler who ran the place, recognized Ash right away. She gave him a bright smile, greeting him with that familiar Fate Mountain warmth. “Hello there, Chief Bright. So good to see you. I have your special order ready. It arrived this afternoon.”

Ash felt a surge of nerves in his chest, which was unusual for him. He was a Fire Chief who had faced blazing infernos, yet picking up an engagement ring for Eliana made his heart flutter with excitement and uncertainty. He cleared his throat and managed a faint grin. “That’s great. I... I appreciate you getting it in so quickly.”

She bustled behind the main counter, gently lifting a small, velvet-lined box from a locked drawer. “I made sure it was sized exactly to the measurements you provided,” she said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “It should be a perfect fit.”

Ash nodded. He had spent weeks ensuring he got Eliana’s ring size right, even going so far as to borrow one of her old rings to compare. He had not wanted to risk a last-minute adjustment. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “She means the world to me, and I wanted something that fit her style exactly.”

The jeweler opened the box, revealing a diamond ring with a graceful, timeless band of white gold. The diamond was not massive, to be practical for her to wear, but it was cut so precisely that it sparkled in the shop’s warm light. Ash’s chest constricted with emotion. It was precisely what he had imagined for Eliana.

“I believe this suits her,” the jeweler said, passing the open box to him for inspection. “When you described her taste, I thought of this design. It is elegant, not too flashy, yet the diamond should catch every bit of light in the orchard.”

Ash found his gaze lingering on the stone.

He pictured Eliana’s hand wearing it, how it might reflect sunlight when she worked among her apple trees, or when she reached out to greet him at the end of the day. A sudden rush ofwarmth filled him. He closed the lid. “It’s perfect,” he said, voice low. “Thank you for making this happen.”

Her smile deepened. “Of course. Your family has done so much for this town, and I love seeing young couples begin their lives together.” She slid a small, neatly wrapped bag across the counter. “She is going to love it.”

When the jeweler handed over the wrapped box, Ash thanked her quietly. He paid, carefully slipping the box into his jacket pocket. His hand hovered there for a second, savoring the feeling of how momentous this was. For so long, he had told himself that his job was all he needed. But finding his mate had changed him in ways he could barely articulate.

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Eliana stoodin front of the full-length mirror in her farmhouse bedroom. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, creating warm patterns across the hardwood floor. Tonight was special. She and Ash had planned a date at Fate Mountain Lodge, a place they had not visited together since the early days of their relationship. She’d packed an overnight bag because Ash had also booked them a suite.

She turned sideways, checking that the dress clung in the right places and flowed where it should. She ran a brush through her hair one last time. There was an excited flutter beneath her ribs, half anticipation and half reflection on everything that had happened in recent months.

She and her orchard staff had worked tirelessly to clear debris and nurse her trees back to life. She felt immense gratitude for the quiet winter ahead, when the business would revolve around cider sales and planning for spring.

She had given up trying to piece together who had orchestrated the attacks. No new evidence had surfaced, and the criminals themselves had claimed they did not know who funded them.Detective Parker thought it might be organized crime or a nefarious corporation.

Eliana had spotted Mateo walking the perimeter earlier that day. She had seen him carrying a clipboard, his walk steady and confident. He was fully recovered from his injuries and had become the orchard’s part-time security coordinator, as well as overseeing their online presence.

Eliana felt a surge of pride seeing him embrace those responsibilities after everything he had been through. At least that was one positive outcome: he had found an even deeper sense of purpose.

Talia, too, had been a cornerstone of support. When Eliana thought about the days after the fires, she recalled Talia’s unwavering presence. Her friend had stayed up late more times than Eliana could count, helping to organize staff rotations and contacting local suppliers to replace ruined equipment.

Gerald had been with the orchard since her grandparents’ time, and his gruff words of encouragement had always been a comfort. During the darkest days after the fire, he stayed late every night to help pack shipments.

Those memories flooded Eliana with warmth. Between Mateo’s recovery, Talia’s friendship, and Gerald’s loyalty, Eliana knew she was fortunate. Even the orchard’s finances, after all those harrowing weeks, had stabilized, and she would head into winter with more than enough revenue from the harvest to pay her staff, recover from the fires, and continue developing her business.

She heard the distant rumble of a truck engine and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Her pulse kicked up a notch.Smiling, she draped a thin shawl over her shoulders, grabbed her purse, and stepped out into the hallway.

As she passed by a picture of her grandparents planting the orchard’s first trees, she touched the frame gently. It felt like they were still with her, guiding her even in these calmer times. She whispered a silent thanks for their legacy.

When she reached the living room, she heard Ash’s footsteps on the porch, and then a gentle knock sounded at the door. Eliana smoothed her dress and opened it to find Ash standing there, a neat button-down shirt accentuating his broad shoulders.

He offered a warm smile that deepened the faint creases near his eyes. The sight of him made her heart skip. He held a small bouquet of roses, their petals a vivid autumnal orange-red. “You look beautiful,” he said, offering her the roses.

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