The kiss was different from last night’s—slower, more deliberate. There was no surprise in it, no hesitation. She knew exactly what she was doing and what she wanted. His hand came up to cup her face, and she leaned into his touch, into the warmth and steadiness of him.
When they finally drew apart, the stars had multiplied overhead, scattered across the sky, too many to count. Spencer’s arm slipped around her shoulders, and Meryl leaned against him, her head fitting perfectly into the hollow of his shoulder as they looked up at the night sky together.
“We should probably head back soon,” he murmured, his breath warm against her hair. “The trail gets tricky in the dark.”
“Mm-hmm,” she agreed, not moving. The thought of returning to the cottage, to the lists and the work and the decisions, felt distant and unimportant compared to this moment, this feeling.
She did not want to go back down the mountain yet. And as Spencer sat beside her under the first stars, she knew it had as much to do with him as it did with the view.
Chapter Fourteen – Spencer
Today’s the day,Spencer’s bear could barely contain himself.
Yes,Spencer agreed.Today is the day.
After those kisses and the looks they had shared across half-finished rooms and coffee mugs, it was time to take the risk.
He had thought it through for half the night. How to tell her. Or perhaps better, how to show her.
Simple,his bear said as they drove toward Pine Cottage.Tell her to watch us shift. Once she sees me, once she meets me, it will all work out.
Confident much?Spencer thought with a quiet huff of amusement.
Very,his bear replied.
But the closer they got to Pine Cottage, the more Spencer felt his nerves tighten. What if she wasn’t ready? What if he’d misread the signs?
You haven’t,his bear said at once.
No, he hadn’t. Spencer knew what he had seen in Meryl’s face last night. In the way she looked at him under the stars.
And more, in the way she had begun to look at Pine Cottage. She was falling for the place.
He only hoped she was falling for him, too.
His phone buzzed in the phone holder, and a message from Kirk flashed up.
Don’t forget Mom’s birthday dinner on Saturday. And bring your mate!
Spencer stared at the message for a second longer than he meant to.
His bear was instantly pleased.Exactly. Take her. Let her meet everyone.
I haven’t even told her what mate means yet,Spencer replied.
That is why we are going there now,his bear said.To tell her.
Spencer shook his head. This changed things.
No, it doesn’t,his bear insisted.
It does,Spencer replied.
When Pine Cottage came into view, he slowed to take it all in. Better. More settled. The porch no longer sagged. The newly cleaned windows now caught the light. Even the rose by the gate looked less wild now that it had been cut back. Their hard work was beginning to show.
Home,his bear said quietly.
Not yet,Spencer replied, though the word gave him hope.
