“I should probably head back soon,” she said reluctantly. “Rachel will be bringing Percy to Bear’s Rest, and I need to be there when they arrive.”
Kirk nodded, trying not to let his disappointment show. “Of course.”
“Thank you for breakfast,” she said, reaching across the table to take his hand. “And for last night. For trusting me with your secret.”
“Thank you for accepting it,” he replied, squeezing her fingers gently. “For accepting me.”
“You’re welcome.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “And you’re right, these are the best breakfast eggs I’ve ever tasted.”
“Listen, there’s a local flavors event in the town square this afternoon,” he said, caressing her cheek. “I’m running a chili tasting booth. You and Percy should come by, if you’re interested.”
Isla hesitated, and Kirk sensed the shift in her energy immediately. “I’d like to,” she said slowly. “But I do have some work I need to finish first…”
Reality check,his bear grumbled.She has a life beyond Bear Creek.
“Of course,” Kirk said, keeping his tone light. “It runs until four. If you finish up in time, the offer stands.”
“We’ll try,” she promised, though something in her expression had changed. A slight distance had crept in, as if part of her was already back in her other life, the life he knew almost nothing about.
When the dishes were done and Isla had changed back into her own clothes, they walked outside together. Kirk followed her to her car, his bear already restless at the thought of her leaving.
Ask her to stay,his bear urged.Tell her we need her here.
But Kirk knew better. Whatever was growing between them needed time and space. Pushing too hard would only drive her away.
At her car door, she turned to face him, her expression softening again. “I’ll see you soon,” she said simply.
“Sooner would be better.”
She rose on her toes and kissed him. Kirk’s arms wrapped around her, holding her close for one more moment before reluctantly letting her go.
But she had to be back at Bear’s Rest for her son. So he let her go.
With a last wistful smile, she got into the car and closed the door before starting the engine.
With a final wave, she backed out of the driveway and headed down the road that would take her back to Bear’s Rest.
Kirk stood in the driveway long after her car had disappeared from view, the morning sun warm on his shoulders. His bear paced restlessly within him, already missing her presence.
She’ll be back,Kirk assured his bear.She said so.
But what if she changes her mind?his bear worried.What if the distance reminds her of all she has waiting for her beyond Bear Creek?
The thought settled cold and heavy in Kirk’s chest. For all their connection, for all the intimacy they had shared, there was still so much he didn’t know about Isla. About her life beyond this town, her career, and her ambitions.
And suddenly he realized just how much that might matter.
Chapter Seventeen – Isla
What a night.
As Isla drove back to Bear’s Rest, it was hard to believe any of it had really happened. But it had. She had seen Kirk shift with her own eyes, felt the thick warmth of the bear’s fur beneath her fingers.
And then there was the other part of it. The mate bond. The idea that fate had chosen him for her, and her for him.
That might have been the hardest thing of all to take in.
And yet she didn’t doubt Kirk. Not his honesty, not his sincerity. She had seen the truth in his eyes.
