Page 42 of The Bear's Second Chance Mate
Okay. Time to make his move. Stanley grabbed the toolkit from the passenger seat and reached for the container of homemade oat and honey cookies he’d spent half the night perfecting.
She’s here,his bear murmured.The scary one.
Stanley sighed.Barb isn’t all that scary.
Says the man who isn’t a bear. You didn’t see how she looked at us in the store. Like she could skin us and turn us into a rug.
That’s a bit dramatic,Stanley said, though his palms had gone slightly damp at the thought of facing Barb again after their confrontation.
Stanley got out of the truck and closed the door with a quietthunk, the sound oddly final.
Like a nail in our coffin,his bear said.
Stanley chuckled. His bear was seriously being overdramatic.I can see where Barb is coming from. She’s just protective. And looking out for June.
She knows we are mates and we would never hurt June or Oli,his bear said.
Stanley adjusted the tin on top of the toolbox and crossed the short path to the gate. Through the slats, he caught sight of June kneeling in the garden, smoothing soil with bare hands, her hair twisted up in a loose knot at the back of her head.
For a moment, he stood watching her. He’d waited so long to meet her that there were still moments when he thought it was all a dream.
She is very real,his bear murmured.
Okay, let’s do this.He took a deep breath and knocked on the door rather than barging into the garden unannounced like he did before.
She is expecting us,his bear reminded him.
But Stanley waited patiently, even though each second that passed felt like an eternity, until finally the door swung open.
Barb stood in the doorway, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised as she took in the sight of him laden with supplies.
Don’t show fear,his bear whispered.Predators can smell fear.
“Afternoon, Barb,” Stanley said, managing a smile that he hoped didn’t look as nervous as it felt.
“Stanley.” Barb’s voice was neutral, but her eyes held a glint of amusement. “Quite the handyman setup you’ve got there.”
“I come prepared.” He lifted the cookie tin slightly. “Made these, too. Oat and honey.”
“Baking now, are we?” The corner of her mouth twitched. “My, my. Whatever will you pull out of your hat next? A rabbit, perhaps?”
Stanley cracked a smile. “He’s in the truck, actually.”
“Of course it is,” Barb said. “June and Oli are out back. They’ve been waiting for you.” She paused, her voice dropping slightly. “June’s boy isveryexcited.”
The implication wasn’t lost on him. Oli was excited, which meant he would be disappointed if things went wrong. If Stanley messed this up.
“I won’t let him down,” Stanley said, meeting Barb’s gaze directly.
Something in her expression softened, barely perceptible, but it was there. “See that you don’t. Neither of them.” She nodded toward the side gate. “Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
“Thanks,” Stanley said, relieved Barb wasn’t planning to skin him alive after all.
Yet,his bear murmured.
Stanley followed Barb around the side of the house to the back gate. It was like déjà vu, walking into the backyard and seeing June and Oli there.
Only this time, June wasn’t protective or defensive. She didn’t shield her son from Stanley.
