Page 53 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
Her eyebrows lifted. “They have?”
“The Thornbergs are loyal,” he said. “And not shy about bragging.”
A hollow ache in his stomach reminded him he needed to eat if he was going to help Sophie get through this special day. He’d skipped more than one meal over the last couple of days after spending long hours in his workshop.
Sophie caught his glance toward the oven where the cinnamon rolls waited. “You need to eat something,” she said firmly, rising from her chair as if reading his mind.
“They do smell good,” Nero said. But then, so did everything Sophie made.
“You can’t support me through tonight’s dinner if you’re running on empty,” she said, sliding a roll onto a plate and placing it before him.
“What time do we need to be at the vineyard?” he asked, taking a bite of the perfectly spiced roll.
“Mid-morning,” Sophie said, reclaiming her seat and pulling her coffee closer. “The team will be there, but I want to walk through everything myself.”
He watched her take a sip, her lashes fluttering shut for a second as she savored the flavor. “And how do you feel?”
“Excited. Nervous. Grateful.” Her gaze met his. “In love.”
“I love you, too,” he murmured and rose to lean across the table and kiss her lips.
“I should go take a shower before we get distracted,” she said, her hand caressing his cheek.
“I could join you,” he murmured.
“You could,” she agreed. “But you are going to eat your roll and drink your coffee.”
She leaned away from him and picked up her coffee cup. “You are one dish that will keep hot.”
“You have no idea.” He chuckled as he watched her leave the kitchen. It took all his willpower not to go and join her, but he did not want to do anything that might jeopardize today.
***
An hour later, Nero parked the convertible next to Kris’s truck at the vineyard. “Ready?” he asked as he half-turned to look at her.
Sophie nodded, closing her notebook with deliberate care. “Yes. Although I’ll be happier once we’ve gone over everything.”
“Cassia will have attended to every detail,” Nero assured her, as he got out of the car. “Organization is her particular talent.”
Nero came around to open Sophie’s door, offering his hand. She accepted it, her grip steady despite the flicker of nerves in her eyes.
“Shall we?” he asked.
She squared her shoulders and nodded, clutching her notebook like a shield.
Together, they walked toward the barn, Nero adjusting his pace to match hers. When they reached the entrance, he pulled open the heavy wooden door, letting Sophie step through first.
Inside, the transformation was nearly complete.
Long tables draped in crisp ivory linens formed two parallel lines down the center of the space, each set with gleaming silverware and crystal glasses that caught the morning light streaming through the vast windows. Overhead, wrought iron lanterns had been suspended from the exposed wooden beams, unlit now but promising a warm glow for the evening. Through the windows, rows of ripening vines created a living backdrop for the scene.
Sophie stopped just inside the doorway, drawing in a slow breath. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Nero’s hand found the small of her back, a gesture that had become second nature. “Cassia has a remarkable eye.”
As if summoned by her name, Cassia appeared from the kitchen’s direction, dressed in her usual linen dress and apron, clipboard tucked under one arm.
“Good morning!” she called as she came to join them. “Everything’s running to plan.”
