That would not be a pleasant sight,his bear said dryly.Our mate and Adara, on the other hand...
The mate bond had locked onto Estelle the moment she’d started driving along the mountain roads. At first, he’d been afraid she might be leaving Bear Creek, but then he’d felt her drawing closer.
And now she was here. Standing on his porch.
Leo fumbled with the latch. His bear was practically vibrating with excitement.
Open the door already,his bear growled impatiently.What are you waiting for?
I’m trying,Leo replied, finally getting the door open.
There she was—Estelle, looking nervous, with Adara holding her hand. The little girl clutched Fizz tightly against her chest.
“Hi,” Estelle said, a tentative smile playing on her lips. “We thought maybe... we’d see what you were doing for dinner.”
His bear let out a roar of pure joy inside him.She came to us. By choice.
Leo struggled to keep his expression calm while his bear was practically turning somersaults.
“I... wow. This is a nice surprise,” he managed, his voice rough with feeling.
Adara bounced on her toes. “Fizz wanted to see you again,” she announced, holding up her stuffed dragon.
“Just Fizz?” Leo asked, his eyes meeting Estelle’s.
A blush crept across her cheeks. “Not just Fizz,” she admitted quietly.
Say something charming,his bear urged.Don’t just stand there grinning like an idiot.
“Would you like to come in?” Leo stepped back, gesturing toward his home. “I was just about to figure out dinner.”
“We could go somewhere,” Estelle suggested, hesitating at the threshold. “There must be a restaurant in town that’s... quiet. Private.”
Leo recognized the attempt to keep things contained and manageable. A public place with clear boundaries.
She’s still scared,his bear observed.Still trying to protect herself.
“Actually,” Leo said gently, “I thought maybe I could cook for you both. I have plenty of fresh vegetables from my greenhouse.”
Estelle’s eyebrows rose. “You have a greenhouse?”
“It’s where I grow produce for the restaurant, among other places,” Leo explained. “Would you like to see it?”
Adara tugged at her mother’s hand. “Can we, Mama? Please? I’ve never seen a greenhouse.”
“It’s more of a glass house,” Leo explained to the little girl.
“Then why is it called a greenhouse?” Adara asked in all seriousness.
“Because green things grow in it,” Leo replied with a smile. “Shall we go see?” He glanced at Estelle.
“Yes, I’d love to see your greenhouse,” she said, mirroring his smile.
“Then come on in.” Leo stepped aside to let them enter, his bear practically purring with satisfaction as they crossed the threshold into his home.
She’s in our den,his bear said smugly.
It’s a house, not a den,Leo corrected, though he couldn’t deny the primal satisfaction of having his mate in his home.
