The Bear’s Reluctant Mate (Bear Creek Forever:Thornberg Vineyard #3)

Chapter One – Alfie

What a wonderful day! Alfie strolled through Bear Creek Garden Center, making the most of this quiet time before the doors opened. Not that he didn’t appreciate the people who came to buy the plants he and his team had nurtured from cuttings and seeds.

Even so, there was something magical about these early morning moments, when the dew still sparkled on the leaves and the first rays of sunlight filtered through the greenhouse glass.

He ran his fingers along a row of young tomato plants, their fuzzy stems sturdy beneath his touch. “Looking good, little ones,” he murmured. Talking to plants might seem silly to some, but Alfie knew better. These green beings responded to care and attention just like any creature.

He sucked in a deep breath, filling his lungs with a mixture of the sweet scent of blooming gardenias and the earthy richness of fresh potting soil. It was a perfume no fancy cologne could ever replicate.

This place was his life’s work, and it filled him with pride and happiness every single day.

It sure would be a lot better if we had our mate by our side, his bear grumbled, interrupting his peaceful moment.

Alfie’s shoulders sagged as his smile faded. It sure would. But you know that finding her is out of our control.

His bear let out a long sigh. What we need is for Finn to make a matchmaking mix-up.

A small laugh escaped Alfie’s lips, despite his melancholy. I’m sure he’s sick of hearing that.

His mood lightened as he thought about his brother, who had somehow gained quite a reputation as an accidental matchmaker. Poor Finn was constantly being pestered by their brothers and cousins to create what they’d jokingly dubbed a “matchmaking mix-up.”

Maybe we should call him, his bear suggested hopefully.

And say what? Alfie asked, as he checked on a batch of young seedlings. Hey, Finn, can you conjure up my mate out of thin air? I’m feeling particularly lonely today and my bear won’t shut up about it.

He snorted at the thought, gently pressing his fingertips into the soil around a tender sprout. The earth was just damp enough. Perfect.

I’m just saying, his bear persisted. Both Kris and Philip found their mates after Finn got involved. It can’t be a coincidence.

It absolutely can, Alfie muttered, reaching for his watering can. The morning customers wouldn’t arrive for another hour, giving him precious time alone with his plants. That’s literally what a coincidence is.

His bear huffed indignantly. No, it’s fate.

So now you think Finn is working for fate? Alfie asked.

He might be an instrument of fate. His bear had been particularly restless lately, more vocal about their solitary state. Who could blame him after they’d witnessed their brothers’ happiness?

And he would be lying if he said he didn’t feel the same way. He would give anything to have his mate by his side. To share his life with her, his hopes, his dreams.

But hoping and dreaming would not bring her to him. Nor would calling Finn and asking him to make a matchmaking mix-up on his behalf.

Alfie was sure that fate would bring his mate to him when the time was right. He just had to be patient.

“Talking to your bear again?” A cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.

Alfie looked up to see his assistant manager, Daisy, standing at the entrance to the greenhouse with a knowing smile. Her gray hair was pulled back in its usual practical bun, and her gardening apron already had smudges of soil on it.

“Is it that obvious?” he asked, setting down the watering can.

“You get this faraway look,” she said, tapping her temple. “Plus, your lips move a little. Been working with you long enough to know the signs.”

He chuckled. “Well, he’s being particularly persistent today.”

“About the mate thing again?” Daisy had been with the garden center since before Alfie took over, and she knew all about shifter dynamics. Her sister had married a wolf from the next town over.

“ Always about the mate thing,” Alfie confirmed, reaching to check on a row of hanging fuchsias. “He gets more restless every day.”

“It’ll happen when it happens,” Daisy said, picking up a pair of pruning shears. “Can’t rush these things.”

“That’s what I keep telling him,” Alfie said.

You can’t blame me for wanting to push things along, his bear responded with a disgruntled rumble.

No, Alfie agreed. I cannot blame you for that at all.

“Do you want me to head over to the greenhouse and grab the plants for the gardening project?” Daisy asked. “Mary-Ann will be here shortly to collect them.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Alfie said as he headed for the door. “Could you just check if the roses need dead-heading?”

“Sure thing,” Daisy replied with a mock salute.

Alfie left the seedlings behind and strode toward the large, expansive greenhouse that dominated the eastern side of the property.

His bear perked up as they approached the greenhouse door. Wait…do you feel that?

Feel what? Alfie asked, pushing open the door, and was immediately hit by the humid, earthy air inside.

His bear stirred within him, suddenly alert. Something’s different today. Maybe this is it! This is where Finn’s matchmaking magic will happen.

Alfie chuckled under his breath as he made his way to the back corner, where he’d prepared the trays for the community garden project.

It was Finn’s latest community project, something his brother had started to bring the town together, and Alfie was more than happy to contribute with his time, expertise, and plants.

Although not today. Saturday was a particularly busy day at the garden center, but he planned to head over there in the week and do whatever he could to help.

Growing things and being in nature had always brought him peace, and he hoped to help others find that same sense of calm.

You know Mary-Ann is coming to collect the plants, and we both know she is not our mate, Alfie reminded his bear gently.

Mary-Ann Lewis, a lovely woman in her late sixties with a husband of forty years or more, had been helping to run community projects alongside Finn for years.

But this garden project particularly appealed to her and her passion for growing things.

His bear huffed but remained restless, pacing back and forth inside his head, mumbling something about matchmaking mix-ups and fate .

Alfie felt a pang of sympathy for his other half. The bear’s longing mirrored his own, even if he was better at hiding it. Wishful thinking would not bring their mate into their lives any sooner.

“The roses are all looking fine,” Daisy said as she followed him into the greenhouse.

“Great, thanks, Daisy,” Alfie replied, carefully lifting one of the trays. “Why don’t you go and grab a cup of coffee before the doors open? I’m sure Welland has a fresh pot on the go by now.”

“If you’re sure...” Daisy’s cheeks flushed as pink as a peony at the sound of Welland’s name.

Now who’s playing matchmaker? his bear asked, with some amusement.

I don’t know what you mean, Alfie thought with a self-satisfied smile as Daisy headed toward the café at the front of the garden center.

He was certain something was brewing between Welland and Daisy, and they just needed a little nudge. Welland had been casting admiring glances at Daisy for months now, and she always seemed to find reasons to visit the café multiple times a day.

It would be nice to see them get their happily ever after, even if we don’t, his bear said wistfully.

It sure would, Alfie murmured as he gathered the rest of the trays and went outside.

However, as he walked back toward the entrance, a strange sensation crept over him.

A tingling awareness that started at the base of his spine and radiated outward.

Maybe he needed a fresh cup of Welland’s coffee or even a pile of those fluffy pancakes drizzled with wild mountain honey the café was famous for.

No, this was different. This was...

His bear practically leaped to attention inside him, suddenly wide awake and alert. I knew it! She’s close!

The trays in his hands suddenly seemed impossibly heavy. Perhaps because the idea that his mate might finally be here seemed impossible, too.

It’s not impossible, his bear insisted. I can sense her.

Alfie took a couple more steps forward and then carefully set the trays down on the ground. As he straightened up, he stared into the distance, trying to pinpoint her exact location.

What if she drives on past and we never actually meet her? his bear asked.

No, Alfie said, fate would not be that cruel.

His bear snorted. Are you sure? It’s already made us wait decades to meet her.

Yes, I’m sure, Alfie said as he took a faltering step forward, then another.

I hope you are right, his bear said with growing anxiety.

She was getting closer. He could sense her, and with each heartbeat, that sense of her grew stronger. Surely, she must be coming to the garden center. And if she was…

She likes plants, Alfie thought giddily.

His bear snorted. Of course, she does. She is our mate. For his mate not to like plants would be the real cruel twist of fate.

There! A car turned off the road, heading for the parking lot in front of the garden center. It was her! Alfie’s sense of anticipation grew until he thought he might explode.

She is here, his bear said.

See? I told you we did not need Finn, Alfie said.

Maybe our brothers and cousins will go a little easier on him, his bear said.

But then all thoughts of Finn were swept from their minds as the car came to a stop, and a woman got out. His woman. His mate!

Alfie stood frozen by the entrance, his heart hammering against his ribs like it wanted to break free.

It was not the only thing wanting to break free. His bear was so near the surface Alfie had to fight for control.

We have waited so long, his bear whispered in awe.

Alfie couldn’t respond. His throat had gone dry, and his palms were suddenly damp with sweat. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, dreaming about, and now that it was here, he found himself utterly unprepared.

The woman, his mate… boy, that word sounded good!... his mate reached back into her car and pulled out a canvas tote bag. She slung it over her shoulder and started walking toward the garden center entrance, her steps purposeful.

Go to her, his bear urged. What are you waiting for?

But Alfie’s feet seemed rooted to the spot. What if I scare her off? What if she’s not ready to meet her mate? What if…

His bear let out a frustrated growl. If you don’t move, I will.

That was enough to jolt Alfie into action. The last thing he needed was his bear taking control and bounding up to the woman like an overeager puppy. He forced himself to move, stepping into her line of sight.

She stopped when she saw him, her head tilting slightly to one side as their eyes met across the distance.

For a heartbeat, the world around them seemed to fall away—the garden center, the mountains, Bear Creek itself, all of it fading into insignificance compared to… her , and the connection they shared.

Which he was certain she felt, too.

Didn’t she? Alfie’s confidence faltered as she rolled her shoulders and glanced back toward the car.

Is she thinking of making a run for it? he asked his bear.

If she is, you’d better do something to stop her, his bear replied.

“Can I help you?” Alfie asked in his best customer care voice.

He winced. His mate wasn’t a customer, she was his life, as vital as the air he breathed.

“Maybe…” she began.

Definitely, added his bear.

Their mate unhooked her tote bag and fished inside before producing her phone. “I’m here to pick up some plants for the garden project.”

She is not Mary-Ann, his bear said.

No, she is not, Alfie answered as he closed the distance between him and his mate.

“Then you are in the right place,” Alfie said, trying to sound normal, even though he was sure life would never be normal again. “Is Mary-Ann okay?”

“Mary-Ann?” She quirked her eyebrow, obviously unaware that Alfie was expecting Mary-Ann, not her. Then her expression cleared. “Oh, that might explain it.” She scrolled through her phone and tapped on the screen. “I think the DM I got might have been sent to me by mistake.”

“I guess our meeting was just be mint to be,” Alfie replied with a sheepish grin.

Finn! his bear roared.

Yes, it seemed Finn had indeed struck again. And he was never going to live it down!