Page 22 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“Um, a large coffee with a little milk, please,” Cassia said, scanning the glass display of pastries. “And one of those cranberry muffins?”

“Coming right up!”

After picking up her order, she slipped back into her car. As she drove, she admired the quaint storefronts and the tidy sidewalks. A sense of belonging bloomed unexpectedly in her chest.

Or was she imagining it? She’d never truly felt at home anywhere. She’d always blamed it on her childhood, which had been one upheaval after another as the family was forced to move with her father’s work commitments.

Even when she and Dante moved in together, she’d never felt like they were making ahome.

Had Dante picked up on it and was that why he’d…

No. She slammed the brakes on that train of thought. She would not shoulder the blame for Dante’s actions. He had cheated because he was selfish and self-centered, not because of any perceived failure on her part.

Cassia gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.Focus on the good,she reminded herself.Focus on now.She left the small downtown behind, following the winding road that led up into the mountains to the vineyard. Halfway there, she noticed a little pull-off area, a small gravel patch by the roadside that overlooked a stretch of forest. With a spur-of-the-moment decision, Cassia slowed and pulled over, rolling down her window to let in the pine-scented air. What better place to eat breakfast?

She cradled her coffee in one hand and unwrapped the muffin with the other, inhaling the sweet scent of cranberries. She took a slow bite, savoring the tang of fruit against the buttery pastry.

Her gaze drifted to the forest, imagining for a second that she was living here, truly living, not just passing through. Could she see herself in a small cottage, or even an apartment in Bear Creek, driving up to the vineyard each day to help Kris shape a dream? She swallowed, heart twinging with an odd sense of longing.

So far, everything about this place had been welcoming, from Mel’s hospitality to the gentle kindness Kris showed.He’s so easy to talk to, she mused, remembering how seamlessly they’d brainstormed wine and dish pairings the previous day. Something about him made her feel…seen, in a way she didn’t recall ever feeling with Dante.

Don’t jump to any conclusions,she scolded herself, finishing the last of her muffin. But she knew it was pointless. Deep inside, she washopeful, a sense that maybe, just maybe, she could finally find a place to set down some roots.

As she finished her coffee, she started the engine and drove on. She wanted to be at the vineyard before Kris might worry or wonder if she’d changed her mind. Starting the engine again, she resumed her drive up the mountains, the road curving through scenic overlooks and pockets of dense forest. If she hadn’t been so keen to keep her word, she might’ve stopped at each vantage point to soak up the views.

At last, the familiar sign for Thornberg Vineyard emerged around a bend, and her chest fluttered at the thought of seeing Kris again.She just hoped he was happy to see her.

What if he’d just been kind yesterday and was really hoping she might have gone back to wherever she’d come from?

Well, too bad!

She parked in the same spot as yesterday and cut the engine as her pulse quickened. Maybe this was a mistake.

Just breathe.She took a moment to gather her purse, her notepad, and her newly minted ideas. Then she stepped out onto the gravel, surveying the tranquil property. In the morning light, the vineyard looked even more alive than it had yesterday. Dew sparkled on each leaf like a million diamonds as a faint breeze teased the vine leaves into motion.

However, her eyes were irresistibly pulled toward a figure standing a little way off, close to the vines.

Tall, broad-shouldered, that confident but unassuming stance. Kris Thornberg waited as if he’d been expecting her at any second. The morning sun cast a gentle glow around him, making his dark hair catch the light. She swallowed, heat flaring across her cheeks.He’s so…She couldn’t even complete the thought.Handsomeseemed too simple a word.

She took a deep, steadying breath and composed herself as she waved and walked toward him. In return he lifted a hand, his entire posture shifted, that subtle tension in his shoulders easing, a small smile lifting his features. It was the kind of look that saidYou’re here,and in that instant, she felt more welcome than she ever had. Anywhere.

He started walking toward her, and she met him halfway. The sunlight glinted off the barn’s weathered boards behind him, a backdrop that hinted at all the work they had ahead. But in his eyes, she saw something else—like none of that work daunted him as long as she was in it with him.

“Morning,” he murmured.

“Good morning,” she replied, the blood thrumming in her veins. She forced herself to sound composed. “I hope I’m not too early.”

He shook his head, the corners of his mouth curving into a wider smile. “No, you’re perfect…” He paused, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. “I mean,your timingis perfect. I was just checking the barn, and I have some preliminary sketches from Finn to show you if you want to look.”

Her chest tightened with relief. Deep down, she’d been afraid he might have changed his mind about her working on the project, that perhaps he’d seen something in her yesterday that had made him doubt his decision. But the way he looked at her now, with that warmth in his eyes, told her otherwise.

They’d started moving forward already. He was all in. “Yes, absolutely,” she answered. “I have some ideas, too. I, uh, woke up early and couldn’t sleep, so I wrote a bunch of notes in my notepad.” She tapped the purse strap slung over her shoulder.

Kris’s eyes flicked to her purse, his expression lighting up. “I can’t wait to see them.” Then something softer crossed his features. “Did you sleep okay?”

She nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. “Better than I have in a while. Aunt Mel’s guest house is perfect. She even brought me dinner and a glass of your Merlot. It was…” She let out a quiet sigh, remembering how soothing it felt. “…really nice.”

“Good to hear. I want you to feel at home.”Feel at home,he said, like it was a given that she’d belong here. She didn’t quite trust herself to speak, so she gave a small nod, hoping he saw the gratitude in her eyes.

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