But now… now everything had changed. Doreen would have to know, eventually.
Had to understand what that touch meant. What the connection between them was.
He closed his eyes for a moment and relived that touch. Where, for one impossible moment, he’d felt the world fade away until only she existed.
It wasn’t an impossible moment,his bear snorted.It was real. Our mate is real, and she is here!
It was hard not to get swept along with his bear’s enthusiasm. But he had to be careful. Steady. Patient.
He’d waited years—watched friends and acquaintances find their mates while telling himself he was fine. That it would happen when it happened. That he didn’t mind being the one left standing on the edges of their happiness. But now? Now she was right here, and patience seemed impossible.
And goodness, she was the most incredible woman he had ever seen. Even if she looked a little frazzled around the edges.
His bear rumbled, softer now.We can take care of her.
James blew out a slow breath.She might not need taking care of. From what Sorcha had told them, Doreen was a strong, capable, independent woman.
Which, in truth, only made him want her more. Not as someone to rescue but as someone to stand beside.
Before the bear could argue, a small hand latched onto his.
“Come on, Deputy Pike! You gotta help me make Bash-proof the cabin!”
Jake—wide-eyed, earnest, and glowing with excitement—was suddenly dragging James forward with surprising determination.
How can you refuse?His bear chuckled.
How indeed?
“All right,” James agreed. “Lead the way, buddy.”
Jake tugged James toward the cabin with the unrelenting eagerness of a boy on a mission. They stepped inside, and the warmth enveloped them immediately, a more than pleasant contrast to the icy mountain air outside. The cabin smelled of pine and cinnamon, with undertones of fresh linens.
James tried to focus on Jake’s chatter about dog-proofing strategies, but his attention kept drifting to Doreen, who stood by the kitchen counter as Sorcha walked her through the cabin’s amenities.
“And the fridge is fully stocked,” Sorcha was saying, “but if you need anything else, there are well-stocked stores in town, which is only about a ten-minute drive away.”
“This is perfect,” Doreen replied. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“Yes, I did, since you offered to come all this way with the contracts,” Sorcha replied. “Contracts for a book deal that would not exist without you.”
“Well, I wanted to make sure that mountain man of yours hadn’t kidnapped you,” Doreen teased. “But I have to admit I have never seen you so happy. You are positively glowing.”
“I am happy,” Sorcha said as color flooded her cheeks.
And one day soon, our mate will look just as happy,his bear said with conviction.
James swallowed hard. He hoped so. He truly hoped so.
“Deputy Pike!” Jake tugged his sleeve. “Is this a good spot for Bash’s bed?”
James blinked, dragging his attention back to the boy. “Let’s see. We want to make sure he has a clear view of you, but not too close to any exits.” He crouched down to Jake’s level, pointing to the corner of the living room. “How about over there? It’s warm, away from drafts, and he can see the whole room.”
Jake nodded solemnly. “That’s smart.”
For the next fifteen minutes, James helped Jake create what the boy called “Bash’s safety zone,” explaining how to secure latches and showing him which windows were low enough that a determined dog might try to escape through.
And from what he had seen so far, Bash was as determined as a dog could be.
