Page 9 of Harvest Magic

Our mate is perfect just like she is, my bear chastised.

She is, I reassured him. I wouldn’t change anything about her, honestly. But her being human makes everything harder, we both know this.

By the time I got up, showered, and ate breakfast I wasn’t any closer to a solution. I spent a little time googling my mate, but Nora either had a very limited social media presence, or she had everything pretty locked down. There were no arrests on her public record, not even a speeding ticket, and nothing to tell me where she worked. I was tempted to do a more thorough check on her, but that felt like an invasion of her privacy. Besides, I was sure I’d learn all about her soon enough. If she gave me a chance…

With a sigh I checked my email, returning a few client emails before deciding which project to work on. When I was in the military I’d discovered an aptitude for computers. I’d mostly worked in logistics, getting supplies and arranging transportation, but most of that work relied on computers. Eventually my superiors realized that I was able to do pretty advanced research and analysis and my job evolved.

Now that I was retired I was working as a freelance consultant, mostly doing deep research for companies who needed it to make decisions, including analyzing data they provided and comparing it to similar data. I also did research on people, kind of like a private detective. A few of my military buddies had gone into security after they left the service, and they often needed help running background checks.

It was the perfect setup for me. I didn’t really need to work, what with all the money I’d saved over the years and my military pension. My expenses here in Greysden were super low, but I didn’t like to be idle. Being a freelancer gave me the freedom to work as much or as little as I wanted.

The morning sped by, as it often did when I was in deep research mode and by the time I resurfaced it was after two o’clock. My stomach growled angrily so I made myself a sandwich to take the edge off, eating it standing by the sink. After taking inventory of the refrigerator, I decided to go into town and get something to eat at Murphy’s before going grocery shopping. If I was lucky, someone in town would have information about my mate.

Fate was on my side though because I ran into her right on the street about a block away from the bar.

She was looking in the window at Gina’s Closet, which I’d surmised was some kind of women’s clothing store. I didn’t know anything about fashion, but every time I walked by the place seemed busy.

“Hi there.”

Nora jumped when she heard my voice, turning slowly away from the window to face me. She was dressed simply, in faded jeans that hugged her curves and a dark pink scoop neck shirt that brought out the pinkish undertones of her skin. She was wearing an Indianapolis Colts hoodie that was about two sizes too big for her.

“Oh. Hi.”

“I’m Ollie,” I reminded her. “We met yesterday at the Harvest Festival.”

She gave me a strange look. “Yes, I remember.”

“How’s your day going?” I asked politely.

“Um. Fine, thanks. Well, nice seeing you again.”

She stepped around me and my bear howled in anguish.

“Nora, wait.”

My voice came out deeper and more commanding than I intended it to, a holdover from my days in the military when I supervised a team, and she stopped immediately, though she didn’t turn around. I moved in front of her, careful not to crowd her. I didn’t want her to feel trapped or intimidated by me.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Not really.”

“Thirsty?”

“Maybe a little.” She rolled her lips in as if she hadn’t meant to say it.

“I was just going to Murphy’s for lunch, would you join me?”

She glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly three o’clock.”

“Yeah, I got distracted with work and missed lunch.”

I didn’t tell her I’d already had a sandwich. I was a bear, I had a big appetite. That sandwich was basically an hors d’oeuvre.

“I…uh…”

I could see her scrambling to come up with an excuse.

“Just have a drink with me while I eat,” I said softly. “I’d appreciate the company, so I don’t have to eat alone.”