Page 33 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
Wren followed his gaze and saw an older couple walking arm-in-arm along a path that would intersect with theirs. Even at a distance, she could see the easy affection between them, the comfortable way they moved together.
Then she looked back at Finn, and there was such longing in his face, such hope. Wren realized with sudden clarity how much it would mean to him for her to meet his family, to take a step into his world.
So, before her old fears could rise and swallow her courage, Wren reached for his hand. She wove her fingers through his and squeezed gently.
“I’d like to meet them,” she said, her voice steadier than she expected.
The transformation of Finn’s face was immediate and breathtaking. His entire being seemed to light up from within, his smile spreading wide and boyish with relief and joy. In thatmoment, Wren knew she’d made the right choice. Whatever this was between them, it was worth being brave for.
“If you are sure,” Finn said.
“I am,” Wren assured him.
They walked hand in hand to meet his parents, and Wren felt the warm pressure of his palm against hers like an anchor. As they drew closer, she could see where Finn got his height, his strong jawline, and his father’s features reflected in his own. But his smile, that was his mother’s.
“Mom, Dad,” Finn called, his voice filled with barely contained excitement. “I want you to meet Wren. Wren, these are my parents, Leanne and Hugo Thornberg.”
Just her name. No explanations, no labels. But the pride and affection in his voice said everything words couldn’t.
His mom stepped forward immediately, her arms opening to pull Wren into a warm, all-encompassing hug that smelled of rosemary and cinnamon. “It’s so lovely to meet you,” she said, and the genuine welcome in her voice made Wren’s throat tighten unexpectedly.
When Leanne pulled back, Wren found herself looking into eyes that seemed to see straight through her careful defenses. There was recognition there, a spark of awareness that told Wren that Finn’s mother knew exactly who she was. But instead of the usual reaction, the widened eyes, the sudden shift to calculated interest, there was only warmth and a gentle understanding that made Wren’s chest ache.
Hugo Thornberg took her hand next, his grip strong but gentle, his eyes crinkling at the corners just like Finn’s. “Welcome to Thornberg Vineyard,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye.
“Thank you,” Wren replied. “You have an amazing vineyard.”
“It is special,” Leanne said. “I hope Finn gave you the grand tour.”
“If we’d known you were coming, we’d have come and said hello earlier. But Finn didn’t say a word,” Hugo said with mock accusation, squeezing Finn’s shoulder. “Means you must be something special.”
Finn’s cheeks flushed, but his hand remained steady in hers. “I was just showing Wren around,” he said, and Wren could hear the undercurrent of something deeper in his voice—a silent plea for his parents to understand what he couldn’t yet say aloud.
They seemed to hear it, too. Hugo and Leanne exchanged a look so full of quiet understanding that Wren felt like an intruder witnessing something private. Then Hugo turned back to them, his smile widening.
“Well, why don’t you both come inside? The afternoon’s winding down, and a glass of our new Merlot would be the perfect way to end the day.”
Finn looked at Wren, his eyes asking the question his lips didn’t form. Waiting for her decision, giving her a chance to make an excuse if she needed to.
The old Wren would have made an excuse. The woman who’d arrived in Bear Creek a month ago, bruised and wary, would have backed away from this invitation, this closeness, this potential for new hurt.
But standing here, with Finn and his parents in this amazing vineyard, Wren found herself wanting to step closer, not away.
“I’d love to,” Wren said.
They walked together toward the hacienda, the gravel path crunching beneath their feet. From the corner of her eye, Wren caught Leanne and Hugo exchanging glances and small, secretive smiles that made her wonder what they were thinking.
Did they assume she and Finn were a couple? Or perhaps Leanne was simply excited to have a celebrity visiting their home. The thought made Wren’s stomach tighten. She’d hoped to be just Wren here, not the country music star with platinum albums and Grammy nominations.
“Everything okay?” Finn’s voice was low, meant only for her ears. His eyebrows pulled together in concern.
Wren snapped her attention back to him, realizing she’d been lost in her thoughts. His eyes searched hers.
“I am,” she said, and as the words left her mouth, she realized they were true. More than true. A smile spread across her face, unbidden but genuine. “Actually, everything’s better than okay.”
“Good,” he said, mirroring her smile.
Life wasn’t just okay. It was good. Really good. For the first time in longer than she could remember, Wren felt like she belonged in her own skin, living in a moment she didn’t want to escape from.
