Page 30 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

First things first, though. She needed a shower.

Upstairs, she stripped off her clothes and stepped under the warm spray of water. As she washed away the day’s work, her mind wandered to Philip. What would it feel like to have him here beside her? His strong hands caressing her skin, tracing the curves of her body? Heat bloomed in her core at the thought, making her breath catch.

“This is crazy,” she murmured, rinsing her hair. She barely knew him, and yet she felt like she’d known him forever. As if their souls recognized each other instantly.

She was falling for him. Falling hard and fast in a way that should have terrified her. But somehow, it didn’t. It felt right.

As if it was always meant to be.

Goodness, now that she had decided to give in to the attraction between them, she was becoming a romantic fool.

But there was nothing foolish about the way he made her feel.

After her shower, Elsbeth wrapped herself in a towel and stood before her closet, suddenly self-conscious. What did one wear for an impromptu dinner date with a man who made your heart race just by existing?

She settled on a simple sundress. Blue with tiny white flowers that her mother had always said brought out the warmth in her eyes. With damp hair twisted into a loose braid over one shoulder, she felt almost ready. But something was missing.

Elsbeth’s hand drifted to her mother’s old jewelry box. Inside, nestled among costume pieces and a few modest heirlooms, lay a delicate silver bracelet with a single charm. A miniature rose. She slipped it onto her wrist, the cool metal warming against her skin. Her mother had worn it on special occasions, always saying it brought good luck.

Maybe some of that luck would rub off on Elsbeth this evening. But that wasn’t why she wore it.

She touched her fingers to the rose charm. No, she wore it because it made her feel closer to her mom.

After months of feeling only loss and sadness when she thought of her mom, today, something had changed.

Today, Philip’s suggestion for the new name of the farm had flipped something inside her. Now she was ready to let go of the sadness. Not all at once, she knew that was impossible.

But she could start to focus on the joy her mother had brought into her life. The laughter they’d shared over failed gardening experiments, the quiet evenings spent planning future gardens while sharing a bottle of wine.

Rose Farm would be a celebration of her mother’s life, not just a memorial to her death.

Chapter Nine – Philip

Philip parked his truck outside Rose Farm and cut the engine. He could sense his mate inside the house, and all he wanted to do was go to her.

But he didn’t. Instead, he sat there for a moment, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel as he stared at the potted vine sitting on the passenger seat. It was one of his special hybrids, hardy, resilient, with grapes that would produce a complex, rich wine unlike any other. He’d been working on this particular strain for years.

Maybe I should have bought flowers instead, like a normal person?he asked his bear as doubt crept in. His mate liked flowers, their colors, their perfumes…

She’ll like it,his bear assured him.She’ll see this gift for what it is—personal. To you. As if you are entrusting a part of yourself to her.

Philip screwed up his face.I’m not sure that’s a good idea. She might think it’s too much.

Make your mind up,his bear replied lightly.Is it too much, or not enough?

I’m overthinking this, aren’t I?he asked.

Yep,his bear chuckled.But what’s new?

Our relationship with our mate,Philip said, and with a deep breath, he grabbed the pot and climbed out of the truck.

And that was the problem, their relationship was so new that they didn’t know enough about each other to choose the perfect gift.

But we know enough,his bear said.We know we are mates. And that is all that matters.

We know, but Elsbeth does not,he reminded his bear, as if his bear needed reminding. On the drive over here, his bear had been quite vocal about how tonight was the perfect opportunity to tell her their secret.

If the opportunity arises, I’ll tell her,Philip said, reiterating the same reply he’d given countless times.

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