“So,” he said, leaning against the counter beside her, trying for casual and probably failing miserably, “how do you like Bear Creek so far?”
Tessa looked up, a napkin still in her hands. “I like what I’ve seen. Though I only arrived last night, so I haven’t explored much beyond Rachel’s neighborhood and the mountain trail we hiked this morning.”
“The view from up there is pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Matt said, remembering all the times he’d run those same trails in bear form, when the forest and town spread out beneath him.
“It really was,” Tessa replied, her expression softening. “I could see the whole valley. It felt... peaceful.”
Matt took a deep breath, gathering his courage. “I could show you around if you like. There are some spots that aren’t on the tourist maps—places only locals know about.”
Good move,his bear approved.
A shy smile curved Tessa’s lips, and something in Matt’s chest expanded painfully until he could barely breathe. “Thanks,” she said, straightening up. “That’s really nice of you.”
But she didn’t commit, didn’t say yes, and Matt felt the moment slipping away.
Do something,his bear moaned.
But then his thoughts of his mate stalled as he sensed someone else approaching. Orsomeoneselse.
Mom and Dad,his bear crowed.They’re back from the vineyard.
Not now. Please, not now.
His mother’s eyes widened the instant she stepped into the kitchen, her gaze darting between Matt and Tessa with an understanding that made his skin prickle. Beside her, his father stood with a grin on his face.
Not too obvious,Matt’s bear said.
“Mom, Dad,” Matt said, his voice strained even to his own ears. “I didn’t know you were coming by today.”
“Just checking in after the lunch rush,” his mother replied, but her eyes never left Tessa. A smile spread across her face, warm and knowing. “And who might this be?”
Matt swallowed hard. “This is Tessa Johnson, Rachel’s friend. She’s covering shifts while Rachel recovers from a sprained ankle.” He turned to Tessa. “Tessa, these are my parents, Thaddeus and Eleanor Thornberg.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Tessa said, extending her hand with a polite smile.
His mother ignored the outstretched hand and instead pulled Tessa into a gentle hug. “The pleasure is all ours, dear. Any friend of Rachel’s is welcome here.”
Matt caught the meaningful glance his father shot him over Tessa’s shoulder. The older man’s eyes sparkled with recognition and barely contained excitement.
His bear growled anxiously.They know. They can tell she’s our mate.
Of course, they could. His parents knew the signs better than anyone else. And they were watching him now with expressions that mixed delight with curiosity, clearly wondering why he hadn’t already staked his claim.
“Tessa’s been a tremendous help today,” Matt said, desperate to keep the conversation normal. “Stepped right in as if she’d been working here for years.”
“I’m not surprised,” his mother said, still beaming at Tessa. “Some people just fit right in, don’t they? Almost as if they weremeantto be here.”
Matt shot his mother a warning look, which she cheerfully ignored.
“Well, I should get back to helping Jenny,” Tessa said, glancing between them. “It was nice meeting you both.”
“You too, Tessa,” Eleanor replied. “I hope we’ll be seeing much more of you.”
As soon as Tessa disappeared through the doorway, Matt’s parents turned to him with identical expectant expressions.
“Kitchen office,” Matt muttered. “Now.”
He led them to the small room off the main kitchen, where he handled paperwork and scheduling. As soon as the door closed behind them, his mother’s composure broke.
