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One day. Somewhere. Someone. For all of them.
And now Gabe’s someone had a name. “Mara.”
Nate sat down again. “Mara.”
Gabe took the empty chair. “She’s staying at the lodge,” he told them.
“So, come on.” Wes picked up his coffee. “Tell us about her.”
That was harder than Gabe expected. He could tell them about the way her hair smelled of orange blossom, and the way her smile made his heart flutter, and the way he’d so wanted to kiss her yesterday. But those things were his. He had known her one day, and already there were parts of it he wanted to keep to himself a while longer. Was that what having a mate did to a man?
Instead, he said, “She’s here for ten days. She works in events. Conferences, launches, that kind of thing, and she likes it. You can hear it when she talks about making everything work.”
Joel looked up at once. “Events?”
“Don’t,” Gabe warned him.
“I didn’t say anything.” Joel lifted both hands.
“You were thinking about the festival.” Gabe gave him a stern look.
“I’m always thinking about the festival,” Joel said.
“Okay, she works events and…” Nate held out his hands to Gabe.
“She is just…” Gabe picked up the coffee pot and topped up the nearest mugs. “I can’t explain it. But being with her. Everything just feels right. As if there is nowhere else I’m supposed to be. And no one else I’d rather be with.”
“Thanks,” Isaac said with a roll of his eyes.
“No offense,” Gabe said. “I love you guys, but compared to my mate…”
“Don’t worry, I was only teasing,” Isaac said. “I’d drop you guys in a heartbeat if I found my mate.”
“Me too,” Nate agreed. “Except maybe Gabe, since he gives us free pastries.”
“So, what else?” Wes asked. “We need all the details.”
Gabe filled Wes’s mug before continuing. “She’s funny too. And she likes Bear Creek. And the mountains. Yesterday we hiked along the old logging trail and picnicked together. I made her a special apple pie… She thought it was delicious.”
“Ah, your secret weapon, pies and pastries,” Nate teased. “That is sure to win your mate’s heart.”
“Man, I need to learn to bake,” Joel said.
Tell them about the leaf, his bear urged.
“When we were on the trail, she found a red maple leaf and took it home to press and add to her memory box,” Gabe said.
“You won’t need a leaf to remember that hike,” Nate said.
“No, it’s firmly etched in my mind.” Gabe wasn’t going to pretend otherwise.
“I think I’m going to need a cinnamon bear,” Nate said and fetched one from the counter.
“Me too,” Isaac said.
“Why don’t you just bring the tray?” Joel said.
These guys, Gabe’s bear said with a humorous huff.
