Page 25 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
She might have shut you down for now,his bear said.But she left the door open for later.
Finn stood rooted to the spot as she drove away, the taillights growing smaller until they disappeared around the bend. His heart thudded against his ribs, and his skin felt too tight, as if he might burst from the effort of not chasing after her and telling her the words he was going to say. That he’d meant it when he said she was the only one for him, ever.
Go after her, his bear urged.Tell her.
But the moment had passed, and Finn was left with only the memory of her smile and the ghost of her touch on his skin.
He sighed, turning back toward his truck and climbing inside. He needed to pull himself back together and get on with the rest of his workday.
However, a sharp rap on his window startled him from his thoughts. Finn jumped, his heart lurching as Mrs. Abernathy’s stern face appeared beside his truck. He quickly rolled down the window, swallowing hard.
“Mrs. Abernathy,” he managed, his voice embarrassingly unsteady. “I thought you’d gone inside.”
She leaned in, her no-nonsense energy filling the cab of his truck. “I was watching you two from the kitchen window. And it looked as if there might be trouble in paradise already.”
“I…” He had no words.
“Hmm, as I thought,” she said, staring into the distance, her expression unreadable. Then her eyes narrowed. “You promised to work on Rowan Cottage’s gardens, too, young man. I expect you to keep your word.”
“Of course,” Finn nodded quickly. “I haven’t forgotten.” He wiped his palms on his jeans, suddenly sixteen again, caught sneaking out of study hall.
“Good.” Her tone shifted, growing cooler, more precise. “Now, I want you to listen and learn, Finn Thornberg.”
Finn felt a prickle of unease at the base of his spine.
“My goddaughter,” Mrs. Abernathy continued, fixing him with a gaze that could have frozen a forest fire, “has been through more than you know. She’s only just beginning to find her footing again, and I won’t have you or anyone else jeopardizing that.”
“Mrs. Abernathy, I would never…”
“I’m not finished.” She held up one finger, and Finn found himself snapping his mouth shut as if he’d been caught passing notes in history class. “I see how you look at her, Finn Thornberg. I see how she looks at you, too.”
Hope flared in his chest despite his nervousness.
“So, I trust that you plan to tell her the truth.” Mrs. Abernathy’s voice hardened. “Because Wren deserves to be happy with a man who adores her as much as I do. Understand?”
Finn nodded, his throat dry. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And if you ever…” her eyes flashed, “…ever hurt her, I will make you regret it. Youandthat bear of yours.”
His bear whimpered, pressing itself flat against his consciousness.Scarier than any mountain lion we’ve ever faced.
“I understand,” Finn said, meeting her gaze steadily despite the chill racing down his spine. “But you should know, I would never intentionally hurt Wren.”
Mrs. Abernathy studied him for a long moment, then nodded once, apparently satisfied. “See that you don’t. Goodbye, Finn.”
She straightened and walked away, her back ramrod straight, leaving Finn both amused and sobered by her fierce protectiveness.
Well, that went well,his bear said. Finn wasn’t sure if his bear was being sarcastic or not as he sauntered away and lay down with his paws over his head.
Finn started his truck, hands still shaking slightly from Mrs. Abernathy’s warning. As he pulled away from the curb, he groaned and thumped his forehead against the steering wheel at the first stop sign.
“What am I doing wrong?” he muttered.
His bear stirred.Nothing. You’re doing nothing wrong.
But it didn’t feel that way. One moment, he and Wren had been so close, working together on the garden design, finishing each other’s sentences, laughing at the same things. Then, the next, she’d pulled away, closing herself off when he’d tried to tell her how he felt.
Maybe it wasn’t about fixing something broken. Maybe it was about patience.
