Chapter Five – Daniel
Daniel woke in the dark, his body clock pulling him from sleep before his alarm had a chance to sound. For a moment, he lay still, his mind slowly clicking through the day ahead…snow day, bakery closed, kids home…the good kind of chaos, familiar and usually comforting.
Then the memory hit him with startling clarity.
Holly. His mate. Under his roof.
How could you forget? his bear asked with some amusement.
He bolted upright, heart suddenly thudding against his ribs. The house felt different, almost humming, charged with her presence even through the walls and floors.
His bear stretched inside him, rumbling with satisfaction. Relax. She’s still here. Sleeping. Safe.
Daniel rubbed his face, trying to ground himself in the familiar rhythm of morning.
He’d go downstairs. Start the coffee. Mix the dough for pain au chocolat, the kids’ favorite snow day treat.
Normal things. Except nothing about this morning felt normal.
Every thought seemed to loop back to the guest room and the woman sleeping there.
He dressed quickly in jeans and a soft flannel, padding down the hallway in sock feet. As he passed the guest room, he paused, listening. The gentle rhythm of Holly’s breathing filtered through the door, steady and deep.
His bear urged him to open the door, to check on her, but Daniel forced himself to continue down the stairs.
Let her sleep. Yesterday was... a lot for her, Daniel said. More than we may ever know.
One day she’ll tell us, his bear said with utmost confidence, that one day their mate would trust them enough to explain what happened on her would-be wedding day. But until then, he’d give her the time and space she needed.
While trying to win her heart, his bear said.
Of course, Daniel replied. He just had to figure out how to do that without scaring her off.
In the kitchen, Daniel moved through his baking ritual, gathering ingredients with practiced efficiency. Flour, butter, sugar, chocolate.
The familiar motions should have centered him, but his hands trembled slightly as he measured each ingredient. The metal scoop clinked against the bowl louder than usual in the quiet house.
“Come on, Daniel,” he muttered to himself, but his mind kept circling back to the woman upstairs. His mate. The word still sent a jolt through him, equal parts wonder and terror.
Because it wasn’t just about him. It never could be.
He thought of Maisie and Teddy, still sleeping upstairs.
His children. The two small people who had reshaped his entire world, given him purpose beyond anything he’d known before.
They came first…always. The fierce protectiveness that surged through him whenever he thought of them flared now, hot and uncompromising.
What if Holly didn’t want them? What if, when she learned about mates and what that meant, she rejected not just him but his children, too?
His bear growled in protest. She wouldn’t. She’s ours. And theirs. You’ve seen what she’s like with them.
We don’t know that, Daniel said, working butter into flour with more force than necessary.
We don’t really know her at all. All we know is that she left her wedding.
We don’t know whether she will be willing to leave her old life for good.
There’s a big difference between surviving a storm and choosing a whole new future.
She’ll stay, his bear said firmly.
He hoped that was true. He’d seen her gentleness with the kids last night, the way she’d helped with bedtime, accepted Teddy’s hug, braided Maisie’s hair with such care.
She’s a real mama bear, his bear said proudly.
The kitchen filled with the rich scent of warming chocolate and butter as Daniel slid the first batch of pastries into the oven. He set the timer and turned to start the coffee, only to freeze in place. How had he not sensed her approaching?
Holly stood in the doorway, sleep-rumpled, dressed in his oversized clothes, her dark hair tumbling in messy waves around her face. Soft morning light from the window caught on the curve of her cheek, making her look almost unreal. He swallowed hard as her eyes, still heavy with sleep, found his.
“Morning,” she said, her voice husky and incredibly sexy. “I smelled chocolate.”
Daniel’s heart stuttered as he absorbed every detail of his mate.
Speak, his bear prompted.
“Pain au chocolat,” he managed, gesturing to the oven. “Coffee’s just about to start.”
Holly moved into the kitchen, her socked feet silent on the tile. “Can I help with anything?”
“Just sit,” Daniel said, pulling out a stool at the counter. “You’re the guest.”
For now, his bear added.
Later, they both hoped, she’d be something else.
She settled onto the stool. “I feel like I should be earning my keep, considering the circumstances.”
Daniel busied himself with the coffee maker, grateful for something to do with his hands. “Circumstances being that you were stranded in a blizzard and I happened to drive by?”
“When you put it that way, it sounds so ordinary,” Holly said, and there was something in her voice—a lightness that hadn’t been there yesterday—that made him turn to look at her.
She was smiling, a small, private curve of her lips that did strange things to his insides. The bleak, shuttered look from the night before had eased, just a little.
“Nothing about yesterday was ordinary,” Daniel said before he could stop himself.
Their eyes held for a moment too long, and Daniel felt that pull again, the invisible tether that seemed to draw them together. He turned back to the coffee maker, his pulse quickening.
“How do you take your coffee?” he asked, reaching for mugs.
“Black is fine,” Holly replied. “I’m not picky.”
Daniel poured two cups and slid one across the counter to her. Their fingers brushed as she accepted it, and even that brief contact sent warmth spreading up his arm.
His bear purred, greedy for the smallest touches.
“Thank you,” she said, cupping the mug in both hands. “For everything. The clothes, the bed, the...” She gestured vaguely. “All of it.”
“It’s nothing,” Daniel said, leaning against the counter opposite her. He forced his shoulders to stay relaxed, even as every instinct screamed that it was everything. Because she was everything.
“It’s not nothing,” Holly insisted softly. “Most people wouldn’t take in a stranger in a wedding dress.”
Daniel took a sip of his coffee, studying her over the rim of his mug. “Most people aren’t stranded in blizzards wearing wedding dresses.”
A laugh bubbled out of her, unexpected and light. The sound hit Daniel square in the chest, loosening something that had been tight for a very long time. He wanted to hear it again, and again, every day for the rest of his life.
“Fair point,” she conceded, with a nod. “Still, I’m grateful.”
The timer dinged, saving Daniel from having to respond. He turned to the oven, pulling out the tray of golden pastries. The rich scent of butter and chocolate filled the kitchen.
“Those smell incredible,” Holly said, leaning forward to inhale deeply.
“And they taste incredible too,” Daniel said, sliding one onto a plate. “At least that’s what my kids tell me. Careful, they’re hot.”
He passed the plate to Holly, watching as she broke the pastry open, steam and melted chocolate escaping. Her eyes closed as she took the first bite, a small, appreciative sound escaping her.
“Oh my,” she breathed. “That’s... that’s not fair. How is this so good?”
Pride swelled in Daniel’s chest, and his bear preened at her approval as if he’d baked the sweet treats himself. “Years of practice.”
And suddenly all the years of early mornings and flour-dusted shirts suddenly felt very, very worth it.
“You’re wasted in Bear Creek,” Holly said, taking another bite. “You should be running some fancy patisserie in Paris.”
“I like Bear Creek,” Daniel said simply. “It’s home.”
Holly’s expression softened. “I can see why. Not that I saw much of it last night in the blizzard. But it seems like a good place to raise children.”
The mention of children brought Daniel’s fears rushing back. He busied himself with plating another pastry, avoiding her eyes. “It is. The kids love it here.”
“They’re wonderful,” Holly said. “Maisie and Teddy. You must be very proud of them.”
“I am,” Daniel said, the fierce love he felt for his children evident in his voice. “They’re everything to me.”
“That’s obvious,” Holly replied, her tone warm. “The way you are with them... It’s beautiful to watch.”
Daniel looked up, surprised by her words. “I’m blessed to have them in my life.” More blessed than he’d ever know how to put into words.
As if his words had summoned them from their beds, the thunder of small feet on the stairs announced the children’s impending arrival. Teddy burst into the kitchen first, his hair standing up in all directions, his dinosaur pajamas rumpled from sleep.
“Holly!” he exclaimed, as if her presence was the most exciting thing imaginable. “You’re still here!”
“I am,” Holly confirmed, her smile wide and unguarded. “Good morning, Teddy.”
Maisie appeared behind her brother, more reserved but no less pleased. “Did Dad make pain au chocolat?” she asked, eyeing the pastries cooling on the counter.
“He did,” Holly said. “And they’re amazing.”
“Dad’s the best baker in the whole world,” Teddy declared, scrambling onto the stool beside Holly. “Even better than the bakery in town.”
“I own the bakery in town, bud,” Daniel reminded him with a laugh, ruffling his son’s hair.
“Oh yeah,” Teddy grinned. “That’s why it’s so good.”
Daniel watched as Holly laughed, her hand automatically steadying Teddy when he wobbled on his stool. The casual touch, the ease with which she interacted with his son, made something in Daniel’s chest expand painfully.
His bear was all but ready to roll over and offer his soft belly for her to tickle.
“Can I have juice, please?” Maisie asked, climbing onto the stool on Holly’s other side.
“Of course.” Daniel moved to the refrigerator, but Holly was already sliding off her stool.
“I can get it,” she offered. “If you tell me where the glasses are?”
“Cabinet by the sink,” Daniel said, surprised by her initiative. Most guests sat and waited to be served; Holly was already moving as if this were partly her kitchen too.
His bear hummed with contentment. See? Perfect.
“Can we build a blanket fort today?” Teddy asked through a mouthful of pastry. “Since it’s still snowing outside?”
“Chew, then talk,” Daniel reminded him automatically.
Teddy swallowed dramatically. “Sorry. Can we? A blanket fort? Please?”
“What’s a blanket fort?” Holly asked, settling back onto her stool.
Teddy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You don’t know what a blanket fort is?”
“I guess I never made one,” Holly admitted.
“Never?” Maisie looked equally shocked. “Not even when you were little?”
Holly shook her head. “My mom was very... neat. She didn’t like messes.” There was a faint brittleness to the last word, like it held a whole childhood of straightened toys and carefully folded blankets.
Something in her tone made Daniel look at her more closely. There was a shadow behind her words, a hint of old hurt that made his protective instincts flare.
“Then we definitely have to build one,” Daniel decided. “It’s a Brooks family tradition on snow days.”
“Can Holly help?” Teddy asked, bouncing on his stool.
Daniel glanced at Holly, suddenly uncertain. “Only if she wants to. She might have other plans…”
“I’d love to,” Holly interrupted, her face lighting up. “I have absolutely no plans, and building my first blanket fort sounds perfect.”
For a moment, Daniel allowed himself to imagine this as their normal…Holly sat at his breakfast counter, laughing with his children, planning their day together.
His bear sighed dreamily at the picture.
As soon as they’d finished breakfast, they headed to the living room, which was soon transformed under the children’s direction.
Chairs were dragged from the dining room to form a framework, and blankets were draped with careful consideration.
Holly proved to be an enthusiastic, if inexperienced, fort-builder, following Teddy’s increasingly elaborate instructions with good-natured laughter.
“No, no, the blue blanket goes on top,” Teddy insisted, his small face serious. “The stripey one is for the side.”
“Of course,” Holly agreed solemnly, adjusting the blankets. “Silly me.”
Maisie, ever practical, arranged pillows inside the growing structure. “We need more,” she declared, looking up at Daniel. “Can we use the ones from your bed, Dad?”
“Sure thing, Maisie,” Daniel agreed, unable to deny them anything with Holly’s encouraging smile spurring them on. “I’ll go grab them.”
When he returned with an armload of pillows, he paused in the doorway, the sight before him stealing his breath.
Holly was on her knees, holding up a corner of the blanket while Teddy directed her with all the authority of a tiny construction foreman.
Her laughter filled the room as she tried to follow his increasingly complicated instructions, her face flushed with pure joy as the tree lights twinkled behind her, casting little sparks of color in her dark hair.
“No, no, Holly! You have to make it higher so we can all fit!” Teddy was saying, his small hands gesturing emphatically.
“Like this?” Holly adjusted her grip, raising the blanket higher.
“Perfect!” Teddy clapped his hands in approval.
Daniel stood frozen, pillows clutched to his chest, watching as this woman he’d known for less than twenty-four hours moved through his living room like she belonged here, among the chaos of toys and blankets.
Amid the loving mess that was his family’s life. Not in some sterile, perfect house where blanket forts were forbidden.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction. It’s like she was made for us.
She was, Daniel replied.