Page 51 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
They knew who she was after Finn introduced her to them properly at a recent family dinner. But they’d kept her secret without question.
“I can’t wait to help,” Wren replied as they made their way toward the rest of the group.
“Morning, everyone,” Finn said, his voice casual but his posture protective beside her.
A car pulled up behind them, and Wren turned to see Leanne and Hugo stepping out. Finn’s mother hurried over, bypassing her son entirely to wrap Wren in a tight hug.
“It’s so good to see you like this,” Leanne said, pulling back to beam at her.
Wren glanced down at herself, confused. “Like what?” She was wearing her usual clothes, certainly nothing special.
“Happy,” Leanne clarified, with a wide smile. “You’re absolutely glowing.”
The simple observation caught Wren off guard. A lump formed in her throat as emotions welled up, threatening to spill over.
Leanne’s expression turned contrite. “Oh, I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No,” Wren managed, shaking her head. “You’re right. I hadn’t been happy for a long time before I came to Bear Creek and met Finn.” The admission felt both vulnerable and freeing, like setting down a heavy burden she’d carried for too long.
Leanne pulled her into another hug, this one gentler than the first. “I’m so happy you’re part of the family,” she whispered. Then she turned to look at her son, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Because he wasn’t happy, either. And now the joy shines from you both.”
Wren laughed softly, wiping at the corners of her eyes. “I can’t believe he is mine.”
“All right, enough of the sappy stuff!” Alfie called out, clapping his hands together. His T-shirt, bright green with “I BELEAF IN YOU” emblazoned across the chest, made Wren snort with laughter. “We’ve got leaflets to distribute, people! The fundraiser isn’t going to promote itself.”
Alfie divided them into pairs, assigning each team a section of town. Wren found herself partnered with Finn, naturally, tasked with covering Main Street and the shops around the town square.
“Ready for this?” Finn asked as they walked toward town, a stack of colorful flyers in his hands.
“As I’ll ever be,” she replied, taking half the stack from him.
Main Street was bustling with Saturday morning shoppers. They started at the far end, working their way from shop toshop, leaving flyers and chatting with store owners. Most people greeted Finn warmly, curiously eyeing Wren with polite smiles.
Outside the hardware store, an older woman did a double-take as Wren handed her a flyer. Her eyes widened in recognition.
“Oh my stars,” she gasped. “You’re Wren Hayes!”
The words hung in the air for a moment. Wren felt the familiar tightening in her chest that usually preceded panic, but this time it didn’t come. Instead, she felt strangely calm.
“Yes, I am,” she said with a smile.
“My granddaughter loves your music! Would you mind...?” The woman fumbled in her purse for her phone.
“Of course not.” Wren posed for a selfie with the woman, who thanked her profusely.
Word spread quickly after that. By the time they reached the town square, a small crowd had gathered. Finn stayed close, his presence solid and reassuring as Wren signed autographs on everything from flyers to coffee cups to the back of a receipt.
“Are you living in Bear Creek now?” someone asked.
Wren glanced at Finn, who was watching her with such pride it made her heart swell. “Yes,” she said, surprising herself with how right it felt to say it aloud. “Yes, I am.”
A teenage girl pushed forward, clutching a worn copy of Wren’s first album. “Your music got me through my parents’ divorce,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Will you be making more music soon?”
“Actually,” Wren said, signing the album cover, “I just finished writing three new songs this week.”
The girl’s face lit up. “Really? That’s awesome!”
More questions followed, but they were different from the invasive probing she’d come to expect from the press. These people weren’t interested in scandal or gossip, they were genuine fans who loved her music and found meaning in her songs.
