Page 12 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“All right,” Kris said from behind her. How could a man his size move so quietly? “Here’s something older by a couple of years. I took a slightly different approach with this one.”

“Intriguing.” She turned, holding out her glass again as he poured. “Thank you.” She quickly wrote down the label’s details from the barrel’s side.

The wine had a richer, deeper aroma, more leathery or earthy, with a wisp of cedar. She took a careful sip. This one had a more robust structure, with a lasting finish. “Mmm. It’s heavier. Could stand up to something with real weight. A steak or a braised dish with mushrooms—portobellos, maybe.”

Kris nodded. “I like that idea. Mushrooms bring an earthy undertone that mirrors the barrel’s effect.”

She jotted more notes as Kris lingered near her shoulder. She didn’t need to see him to know he was there; it felt as though some invisible cord connected them.

Kris cleared his throat, and she glanced up. “Does this mean you’re willing to take a chance on…me?”

She swallowed hard. Was it her imagination, or had the temperature risen by five degrees? “I won’t pretend it’s not daunting,” she admitted. “But it’s also exciting. I guess I’m at a place in my life where I want to give myself permission to take a risk. Make a fresh start.”

He nodded, understanding flickering across his features. “A fresh start. I get that. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut,” he said with a small, knowing smile. Then, as if to lighten the mood, he gestured around them. “So, want to sample a couple more? I can show you the main lineup we’ve already bottled.”

“More wine tasting,” she said, matching his lighter tone. “Absolutely. Let’s do it.”

They wandered back to the original tasting room, where multiple bottles lined the walls. Kris selected two more, a crisp white and a lighter-bodied red. He arranged them on a small counter near the front window, beckoning Cassia to join him.

When she stepped closer, he offered her a clean glass. “This one’s a Viognier,” he explained, uncorking with a smooth twist. “It’s more floral, with hints of peach. Great for a dish that needs some sweet fruit notes without being overtly sugary.”

She raised her brows, scribbling the name and vintage in her notebook. “So maybe a spring salad with goat cheese, something that picks up on those floral notes?”

Kris nodded, clearly impressed. “Exactly. If we’re aiming for a seasonal menu, that’d be perfect in warmer months.”

“So,” she ventured as she made a final note, “you seem unbelievably accommodating. Are you always this friendly to strangers who show up for made-up positions?”

He chuckled a low, rich sound that made her heart flutter. “Friendly might be stretching it. I suppose I just don’t want to miss an opportunity, especially one that came knocking in such a strange way.” His gaze flicked aside for a split second. “And…I guess I believe in fate more than most.”

Her lips parted slightly.Fate. She closed her notepad, hugging it to her side like a shield. “In that case, I’m glad I showed up, too.”

He set his glass down, tapping a finger on the tabletop. “Tomorrow…why don’t we start drafting an outline of the menu? We can talk about style, maybe some sample dishes. The best approach might be a small selection to start with, pairing each item with one of our wines. Then we can expand once we see what people like.”

Cassia nodded, excitement coursing through her. “Yes, definitely. I’d be thrilled to help. Matching flavors to wine and seeing how each enhances the other is one of my favorite things.” A hint of doubt crept in. “Though I’ll be honest, I’ve never built a restaurant concept from scratch.”

Kris shrugged. “Neither have I. But we’ll figure it out together.” Then his expression grew more serious. “And if at any point it feels…not right, or you get cold feet, just tell me. I don’t want you feeling stuck.”

She swallowed. “I appreciate that.” His sincerity nudged a lump of emotion into her throat.He actually cares how I feel,she realized, and it gave her hope that trusting him wasn’t a mistake.

Tucking her notepad into her purse, she glanced at the clock. She hadn’t realized how quickly the afternoon had turned to evening, but the shadows outside had deepened. “I guess I should go,” she said, a twinge of reluctance pinching her chest. “I still need to figure out where I’m staying tonight. I can’t exactly sleep in my car.” She tried to sound casual, but her nerves buzzed at the prospect of searching for a motel this late.

Kris’s eyes widened a fraction. “Oh. Right.” He cleared his throat. “There’s a place in the mountains—Bear Creek Lodge—that might have vacancies. But if you want something more…homely, I could call my aunt. She and my uncle live up in the mountains, and they have a small guest house they sometimes rent out.”

Cassia hesitated. “I really don’t want to impose on your family any more than I already am.”

He waved off the concern. “Trust me, it’s no imposition. My aunt loves hosting people. She’s been known to mother-hen folks so thoroughly, they stay longer than planned.” A fond smile tugged at his lips. “Let me at least check. If it doesn’t work out, we can look for something else in town.”

Her heart flip-flopped. She wasn’t used to such kindness from strangers. “All right, but only if you’re sure.”

He didn’t bother responding, just pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. As he waited for the call to connect, Cassia wandered across the tasting room, letting her gaze roam over the neatly arranged bottles on the wooden shelves. The lingering scent of wine in the air, mingled with faint oak and fruit, gave her a sense of belonging.

Don’t get carried away, Cass,she warned herself.You barely know this place. Or him.

But when she thought of how Kris’s eyes lit with pride whenever he talked about his wines, her stomach filled with a thousand tiny butterflies. Yes, you’re definitely in trouble here.

She caught snippets of his conversation: “Yes, Aunt Mel,” and, “That’s great, thanks so much.” Then Kris ended the call and turned to her.

“They have space, no problem. My aunt says you’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”

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