“My father took care of us financially, but there wasn’t a lot of affection in ourhouse.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the love you needed, but that’s all in the past,”hesaid.
“What do you mean?” sheasked.
“Whatever happened when you were growing up is done and over with. Yes, you still have to interact with your parents, but it’s time to forge your own life. What do you dreamabout?”
“Painting.”
“And?”
“Love.”
He stayed silent while he considered whether or not he should confess hisfeelings.
“Why haven’t you fallen in love and gotten married yet?” sheasked.
“I never found the right woman,”hesaid.
“What are youlookingfor?”
“Someone who wants to live a relatively secluded life. We go into town a few times a week, but this isn’t big city life. Our town’s movie theater has one screen. We don’t have a mall, not like the ones you find in big cities,”hesaid.
“Living in a city full of strangers is overrated. I like the idea of knowing your neighbors. I live in a condo downtown and I don’t know anyone in the building. I’ve lived there for three years. How sad is that?” sheasked.
“I hear it’s pretty common. Carol moved here from New York. She told me that in a city of millions of people, she only knew a handful of them well. I’m not interested in a superficial relationship,”hesaid.
“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” she askedsoftly.
“Arewe?”
When she didn’t immediately answer, a flash of hope warmed hisheart.
“I don’t know what we’re doing,” she said. “Up until a few hours ago, I was ready to flee theranch.”
“Why didn’t you?” he asked. “Did Madison convince youtostay?”
“No. She did give me some things to think about, but that’s not why Istayed.”
“Thenwhy?”
“I couldn’t leave without seeing you again,” she said. “I don’t understand it at all, but there’s this pull I feel… I don’t know how todescribeit.”
“Fate,”hesaid.
“Fate?”
“Have you ever heard of fated mates?” heasked.
“No. But then again, I’ve near heard of werebears.” Shesmiled.
He couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss her. When he pulled away, she rested her head on hisbicep.
“Fated mates are two people who are destined to be together,”hesaid.
“That sounds so romantic… and completelyimpractical.”
“It’s real. Our bears know when we’ve met our mate. They have a special ability tosenseit.”
