Page 44 of Bear Creek Christmas
“Sorry. I miss home.”
“I don’t blame you. This is a lot different than Bear Creek, and you’re not used to traveling. I’m curious what you thought of my family, and by the way, what did you say to Jett at the breakfast table Saturday morning?”
Knox’s friendly growl and smile instantly put Levi at ease.
“They were great, and I enjoyed getting to know them. Jett reminds me of myself back then, and I told him that his mother deserved more respect.”
Amazed, Levi shook his head.
“I’m glad you said something. Hearing it from someone he likes might actually do the trick. I could tell my mom appreciated it.”
“He’s a good kid, but he needs to grow up a little. Your mom works hard and deserves better. Not everyone gets a mother like her.”
Levi wanted to ask more about Knox’s dysfunctional home life, but he shelved the idea when the big man continued talking.
“You know, I was afraid they were all going to be mad when I told everybody about the baby. Shifters don’t always say things the right way.”
Levi didn’t quite agree.
“Honestly, I’m glad it happened. You shouldn’t have to pretend to be something you’re not just to impress my family, and it was exciting to find out about the pregnancy while we were all together. As the oldest, my parents assumed I would be making the first grandchild announcement—until I came out. After Erin got married, I think mom secretly hoped she’d be the first to make her a grandma.”
Knox read between the lines and broached the subject before Levi could ask.
“Do you want to be a father?”
Levi bit his lower lip, eyes on the road.
“Yes, I do. Are you in favor of having kids?”
Knox’s bear did a happy dance at Levi’s near-admission of their future together.
“I never thought about it much before we met, but you’d be a great dad.”
“Are you talking about shifter children?”
“Sure. There are lots of cubs who need homes. No reason we couldn’t adopt a few.”
While Levi appreciated the compliment, Knox’s other comment disturbed him.
“Why are there so many without homes?”
“Remember when I told you some shifters think and act more like their bears? Well, female bears drive their cubs away after about a year and a half to fend for themselves. Some shifter females do the same thing, though not always when the cubs are young.”
Levi’s heart twisted for the little ones.
“So what happens to them? Where do they go?”
Knox detected Levi’s distress, but as an unmated shifter, he didn’t know as much about this as he should.
“The Bureau of Shifter Affairs pays for local offices where we can go for help. We have one in Bear Creek over by the courthouse. One of the things they do is find foster homes and adoptive parents for cubs who need it. I’m sure they could answer our questions.”
It relieved Levi to knowsomeonecared for needy shifter children, but the whole idea unsettled him. The knowledge that Knox wanted a family only served to stitch their hearts closer together. The conversation ended abruptly when they noticed the flashing lights at an accident scene up ahead. Levi slowed down, passing in the far lane, pieces of both vehicles strewn across the roadway. The presence of ambulances indicated the severity of the crash.
To lighten the mood, Levi tapped on his Christmas playlist for some more favorites. The third song happened to beJingle Bells, and Levi’s teacher self came to the fore.
“I bet you didn’t knowJingle Bellsisn’t a holiday song at all. In fact, it makes no mention of Christmas!”
Knox grunted.
