Life could change so suddenly. The man who had gotten out of this truck a half hour ago to restock his chili plants was not the same man who sat here now.
No. It was as if they were two different men.
As if to hammer that fact home, he felt a tug in his chest, a sensation like an invisible thread stretching eastward toward Bear’s Rest. Isla was getting further away with each passing second.
The bear within him paced restlessly, urging him to follow that thread and keep his mate in sight.
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. No. Following her now would seem predatory and intrusive. She had no idea what she was to him, and the last thing he wanted was to frighten her away.
Kirk started the engine, forcing himself to turn west toward town instead of following his mate toward Bear’s Rest. Mattwas expecting those chilies for tonight’s special, and Kirk had never let his family down. Responsibilities first—that was the Thornberg way.
But our mate is our responsibility too now,his bear said.
We have to take it slow,Kirk said.And it’s not as if she’s about to leave town. We have two weeks. That will be enough.
As the truck rumbled down the mountain road, Kirk kept his senses focused on that tenuous connection. The further he drove toward town, the more precious that awareness became, like holding onto a fragile thread that could snap at any moment. But it didn’t snap. It remained a constant reminder that fate had finally decided it was his time.
First Caleb, then Matt, now him. The Thornberg brothers were finding their mates just as their cousins had before them.
You mean we’re falling like dominoes,his bear said.One after another.
Kirk’s mouth quirked into a half-smile.Yes, we are. Falling for our mates in the best possible way.
The familiar buildings of Bear Creek came into view, but Kirk barely noticed them. His mind was filled with Isla—the curve of her lips as she’d tasted his chocolate, the protective hand she’d placed on Percy’s shoulder, the flicker of deep appreciation in her eyes as she’d looked at the various artisan goods in Win’s store.
And Percy,his bear reminded him.I can’t wait to meet him in the fur.
“Yeah,” Kirk murmured aloud, unable to suppress his smile. “That is a bonus. A ready-made family.”
And one day we’ll give him a brother or sister, or both,his bear said, dreaming of the day when they would have a child of their own with Isla.
He’d always wanted children. Watching his cousins start their families had awakened a yearning he’d tried to ignore. Now, after meeting Percy, Kirk felt a surge of protectiveness that rivaled what he felt for Isla.
Family,his bear purred.
Talking of family…Kirk parked behind the restaurant, the familiar brick building that had been a constant his whole life. He climbed out and retrieved the crate of carefully selected chilies from the truck bed. As he hoisted it into his arms, that invisible thread tugged sharply at his chest.
He froze. The connection to Isla was changing direction. She wasn’t driving toward Bear’s Rest anymore. She was getting closer. Coming toward town. Toward him.
Kirk’s knees weakened suddenly, and he braced himself against the truck. His heart thudded hard against his ribs as he took a steadying breath. Was she coming to find him? Did she feel the same tug in her chest, the same unbreakable thread binding them together?
The back door of the restaurant swung open, and his brother, Matt, poked his head out.
“There you are! I was beginning to think…” Matt stopped as he took in Kirk’s expression. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Kirk swallowed hard, forcing himself to focus. “I’m fine. I just…”
Matt’s eyebrows rose, and he reached for the crate. “I’ll take these before you drop them.”
“Thanks,” Kirk managed as he handed Matt the crate and followed him inside. The last thing he wanted was for his mate to see him collapsed in the street. Maybe a slug of whisky would help.
The only thing that’s going to help is seeing our mate again,his bear said firmly.
As he stepped into the kitchen, the savory scents of simmering sauces and roasting meats enveloped him, but for once, Kirk barely noticed. All he could think about was the invisible thread pulling tighter with each passing moment, drawing his mate closer and closer to him.
She’s coming,his bear said.
Kirk turned and looked toward the front of the restaurant.
