The Bear's Reluctant Mate by R. E. Butler

Author:R. E. Butler [Butler, R. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: bear shifter, bear shifter romance, shifter romance, uncontrollable shifting
Published: 2019-04-28T17:00:00+00:00

* * *

After arranging for a lunchtime delivery of Juliette’s favorite baked ravioli dish from a local Italian restaurant in her town, Cruz traipsed through the woods looking for wildflowers. When he’d secured a large bouquet of them, he wrapped the bundle in butcher paper and tied it with twine. The delivery van for his parents’ bakery business left around nine, and he wanted to ensure the flowers went along with the tarts.

He walked into the bakery, a converted barn that was rustic on the outside but all gleaming stainless steel on the inside. His parents had started the bakery so they could work together and provide for their family and the clan. Members worked for them, helping with baking, deliveries, and online orders.

“Those are lovely,” his mother said as she brushed her hands free of flour and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Are those from our woods?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure Juliette likes wildflowers. At least I hope so. She writes about them.”

“I’m sure she will.”

His father came over with a square white box, set it on the counter, and lifted the lid. Six perfect blackberry tarts sat inside.

“Thanks,” Cruz said. “They look great.”

His father handed him a small card and a pen. “Roger’s getting ready to leave in about ten minutes.”

Cruz set the flowers down and picked up the pen, writing a quick note. His mother used a thin pink ribbon to tie up the tarts while he tucked the notecard into the matching envelope, wrote Juliette’s name on it and taped it to the lid.

His father leaned on the counter as Cruz watched his mother carry the box and flowers to a tray of goods that was going to be loaded into the van.

“Tomlin said you’re holding a meeting Thursday.”

“I’m hoping Juliette will want to come home with me Friday after our date.”

He hummed. “Sounds smart to talk to the clan ahead of time.”

“Tomlin suggested it. I was planning to wait until she agreed to be my mate, but assuming she comes home with me Friday, then it would be pretty clear to anyone who saw her that she was special to me.”

It wasn’t like Cruz brought females into his home all the time. Juliette was the first one he’d ever planned to ask to be with him like this, and he was glad he’d waited.

The day passed quickly. He heard from Juliette when his gifts showed up at lunchtime, timed to arrive around the same time as the food he’d ordered. He didn’t want to interrupt her too often during the day. When she’d video called him, she’d been beaming, and her sweet smile made him feel warm from the inside out.

He was falling hard for the redheaded beauty. The week couldn’t go by fast enough.

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