Page 55 of The Bear's Second Chance Mate
“Look, Mom! He remembers me!” Oli whispered as Herbert hopped toward him, nose twitching inquisitively.
June kneeled beside her son, watching as he gently stroked the rabbit’s soft fur. The sight made her throat tighten. How many times had she prayed for this, for Oli to find connection, for him to experience joy without the accompanying overwhelm that so often followed?
“Let’s get him some fresh hay,” she suggested, reaching for the bag they kept beside the hutch. “And then we can give him that strawberry.”
Together, they refreshed Herbert’s bedding, filled his water bottle, and arranged a small selection of vegetables in his food dish. Oli narrated each step, explaining to Herbert why fresh hay was important and how the water bottle mechanism worked. His voice was steady, his usual hand-flapping contained to just the occasional finger wiggle.
June sat back on her heels, watching as Oli carefully offered Herbert a strawberry, delight spreading across his face as the rabbit’s pink tongue darted out to investigate the treat.
“He likes it!” Oli whispered, his eyes wide with wonder.
“He sure does,” June agreed, as tears pricked her eyes.
In this moment, with Oli’s happiness radiating like a physical force between them, June allowed herself to imagine a future here in Bear Creek. Mornings waking up beside Stanley, afternoons feeding the animals at his cabin, weekends spent hiking the mountain trails he’d described, and evenings around a table with Oli chattering about his day.
But as quickly as the vision formed, doubt crept in. Was she being swept away too easily? Letting herself be carried by feelings instead of practical considerations? She’d moved to Bear Creek while she tried to build a career that would support Oli’s needs. Not to fall headfirst into a relationship, no matter how right it felt.
“Mom, can we build Herbert a maze? Stanley said rabbits like to explore,” Oli asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“That sounds like a great project for the weekend,” she replied, pushing her doubts aside for now. “We could use some of those cardboard boxes in the garage.”
Oli beamed, carefully closing Herbert’s hutch before standing. “I’m going to draw a plan for it right now!”
He raced toward the house, his excitement propelling him forward. June followed more slowly, gathering their bags from where they’d been abandoned on the grass.
Inside, Oli had already spread his drawing supplies across the kitchen table, his tongue caught between his teeth as he sketched his vision for Herbert’s maze. June set about preparing a snack, her mind still cycling between hope and hesitation.
The sound of keys jingling in the front door announced Barb’s return from work. June heard the familiar thump as her aunt’s purse hit the entry table, followed by the clatter of keys dropping into the ceramic bowl by the door.
“I’m home,” Barb called, her footsteps approaching the kitchen. “How was school, kiddo?”
“I made a drawing of Herbert,” Oli replied without looking up. “And now I’m designing him a maze.”
“A drawing of Herbert, what a surprise,” Barb said, but not unkindly. June’s aunt seemed to understand the way Oli’s brain worked and how he developed an intense focus on one thing.
June turned from the counter, a plate of apple slices and cheese in her hand. Her aunt stopped short, eyes narrowing slightly as she took in June’s appearance.
“Well, someone’s glowing,” Barb said with a knowing smirk. “Good day?”
Heat rushed to June’s cheeks. She turned back to the counter, busying herself with arranging Oli’s snack. “Just the usual.”
“Mm-hmm,” Barb hummed, unconvinced. “Just the usual has you lit up like a Christmas tree.”
June set the plate beside Oli’s drawing, avoiding Barb’s gaze. “Is that so?”
Barb stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve got a certain pet store owner on your mind.”
The blush deepened, spreading down June’s neck. “Is that a problem?” she whispered, nodding toward Oli, who remained absorbed in his drawing.
To her surprise, Barb’s expression softened. She reached out, pulling June into a quick, fierce hug. “I’m happy for you, June. Truly,” she murmured against June’s hair. “I was just worried before... I’ve seen what it looks like when a Thornberg turns your head. I didn’t want you to lose yourself.”
June pulled back, touched by the sentiment even as she registered the warning beneath it. “I know. Thank you.”
“But promise me one thing…” Barb released her but kept one hand on June’s shoulder. “Don’t forget what you came here for,” she added, her voice firm. “You worked hard for that degree. You deserve a career.”
The words stung more than June expected. She stepped away, reaching for the kettle. “What if following that career takes me away from Bear Creek?” she asked quietly, keeping her back to her aunt.
Barb was silent for a long moment. When June finally turned, she found her aunt watching her with an unreadable expression.
