Page 28 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

She opened the door, and her breath caught in her throat. Kris stood on the doorstep, framed against the twilight sky. For a second, all the bottled-up tension inside her threatened to spill over. Why was he here?

How was he here? Had he jumped in his truck and followed her the moment she’d left the vineyard? But she hadn’t heard a truck pull up outside.

“Kris,” she managed, voice barely above a whisper. “I…” She didn’t know what to say. But she could not deny she was happy he was here.

He cleared his throat, as if unsure of his welcome. “Sorry to show up unannounced,” he said with an awkward smile, “but I…I needed to see you. Can I come in?”

She hesitated, as she forced herself to act naturally. He could simply be here on business. Yes, that must be it. He’d suddenly thought of something about the restaurant. Something that could not wait until morning. Something he could not have communicated to her over the phone.

“Yes, of course.” She stepped back, giving him room to enter.

He stepped into the small living area, shutting the door gently behind him. “Thanks.”

Cassia clasped her hands together, trying not to fidget. “Is everything okay?”

Kris’s gaze roamed the room, then landed firmly on her. “We…we need to talk.”

Cassia’s pulse raced at his final words.We need to talk.That phrase was so loaded.Is it good or bad?

She swallowed, mustering a steady tone. “Now?” Of course now, or else why would he be here?

He nodded, stepping closer. “Yes. Please. There’s something I need to tell you. Or show you...”

Show her? Cassia’s brows tugged together. What could he possibly need to show her at this time of night?

But whatever it was, she wanted to know.

“Okay,” she said, with a feeling that if she followed him out of the door, her life would change forever.

Chapter Eleven – Kris

What exactly did he plan on telling, or showing, Cassia? As his bear ran over the mountains to Bear’s Rest Guest House, that was the one question on his mind.

And the one question he could not answer.

Should he tell her the truth? The whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Were either of them ready for that?

If he told her about his bear, told her they were fated mates, would that make things easier?

Or worse? Much worse.

Kris ran a hand through his hair, feeling the familiar tightness in his chest that came with overthinking.

Something he was good at.

Maybe better at than winemaking,his bear teased.

Funny,Kris retorted. But his bear might be right. He was an expert at overthinking, it was what kept him in the tasting room for such long hours as he tried to perfect a blend.

You’re going to have to cut your hours down now that we have a mate,his bear warned him.

Oh, don’t worry,Kris replied.Once Cassia knows she is our mate, I plan for us to spend every spare moment with her.

But he also knew he could not let his commitment to the vineyard slip.

Balance. That’s what he needed. Balance between love and duty, between his heart and his heritage. It would not be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever was.

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