“Kincaid? Of Timber Bear Ranch?”
“Yes,” he muttered.
“What a small world! My younger sister Holly has been friends with Joy since they were kids. And the institute works with the ranch on timber conservation. I’m surprised we never met. But we do have a five-year age difference. It would make sense that we never ran across each other in school.”
Henry nodded, a lump forming in his throat.
“I was so excited to see our match this morning,” Ivy continued, filling the awkward silence with bright chatter. “A hundred percent match is truly profound. I actually did research on the neurological indicators of true mate bonds for my graduate work. The instant recognition response is fascinating from both a biological and psychological perspective.”
She paused, seeming to realize she was rambling. Warmth bloomed beneath her skin a second time. “Sorry. I tend to get carried away when I’m nervous. And meeting you has made me surprisingly nervous.”
“Why?” The single word emerged gruffer than Henry intended.
Her smile softened. “Because meeting your fated mate only happens once in a lifetime.”
Henry found himself nodding before he could stop the honest response.
“What do you do as a forest ranger?” she asked, gracefully shifting the conversation.
Henry’s answer came in clipped fragments. “Wildlife monitoring mostly. I track animal movement patterns, and document ecosystem changes.”
Despite his minimal responses, Ivy listened with genuine interest, leaning forward slightly, her entire focus on him as if his words were precious. It was disconcerting to be the center of someone’s attention, especially someone whose gleaming hazel eyes seemed to see beyond his gruff exterior.
“Your knowledge of local wildlife patterns must be extensive.” Henry shrugged. “And what brought you to the forest service instead of working on the ranch?”
The question ventured too close to personal matters. Henry deflected, “What about you? The Bright Institute must keep you busy.”
Ivy’s face lit up, and Henry immediately regretted asking. The floodgates opened as she enthusiastically described her work. “Actually, I’m currently overseeing the construction of the new Fate Mountain Nature Center,” she explained, hands moving expressively. “It’s going to be such an asset to Fate Mountain. Interactive exhibits showcasing local ecosystems, sustainable building practices, educational workshops for schools and visitors...”
Henry felt the blood drain from his face as connections clicked into place. The nature center. The incorrect boundary markers. The compromised wildlife corridor. This bright, enthusiastic woman sitting across from him was responsible for the very project threatening the forest he’d sworn to protect.
“The nature center near Whispering Pines Road?” His voice had dropped several degrees in temperature.
“Yes! That’s the one.” Her smile remained undimmed. “We’re about seven weeks from completion. The timeline is challenging, but it will be worth it.”
Henry’s conflicting emotions crystallized. “Your boundary markers were placed incorrectly. They’re cutting thirty yards into a protected wildlife corridor.”
He expected defensiveness, dismissal, or bureaucratic excuse-making. Instead, Ivy’s brow furrowed with concern.
“We’ve had some vandalism issues recently, boundary stakes being moved, but Ronald, our contractor, reset them according to the original plans.”
She pulled out her phone, tapping rapidly. “I have the approved site maps here. Would you be willing to visit the site with me? Today, even? I’d value your expertise in assessing the actual boundaries versus what’s marked.”
The sincerity in her voice seemed genuine, yet Henry hesitated. Getting further involved with Ivy Bright meant complications he’d spent years avoiding. Yet he found himself considering her offer despite every internal warning. “I have duties this afternoon.”
Her disappointment was visible but quickly masked with understanding. “Perhaps another time? Whenever works with your schedule. This is important.”
Her reasonable response made refusing more difficult. Henry stood abruptly, the need to escape overwhelming him. “I should go. Patrol starts in thirty minutes.”
“Oh.” Ivy’s bright smile faltered momentarily before recovering. “I understand completely. Thank you for making time to meet today.”
“I’ll think about the site visit,” Henry said grudgingly, the words emerging without conscious decision.
“That would be wonderful. Here, let me give you my direct number,” she said, handing him a business card.
Henry tucked the card into his pocket, nodding awkwardly before turning to leave. Each step toward the door required physical effort, his bear resisting all the way. At the threshold, he glanced back despite himself. Ivy watched him from their table, her expression thoughtful.
Henry strode to his truck, climbed in, and gripped the steering wheel. His heart pounded erratically, his bear pacing anxiously beneath his skin, demanding he return to his mate. The intensity of his reaction disturbed him deeply.
