Page 51 of Bear Creek Christmas
The choir and technical staff scattered, and Knox held Levi’s gloved hand while they walked. The shed wasn’t very roomy or particularly warm, but it did get them out of the wind and out of sight. Knox remained by his side while he addressed the group.
“Watch and listen carefully, and make sure you’re on stage at the right time. I know it isn’t easy, boys, but try to ignore the audience and photographers by focusing on what you’re there to do. If you want to remain in bear form afterward for photos, report to the booth we set up near the street. I’ll probably get stuck in interviews for a while, but your helpers know where I stashed the treats. We’re going to give them a show they’ll never forget!”
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Levi picked his waythrough the waiting crowd to reach the elevated platform. The entire parking lot was packed with smiling faces—locals, families, shoppers, town representatives, school officials, and of course, an even larger group of news media. Thankfully the weather cooperated, with sunshine and soft breezes. The buzz of conversation died down as Levi climbed to his perch and the choir filed in. Moments later, he gave the signal, and music poured from the speakers.
Surprise and delight washed through the crowd as the bears made their grand entrance. WhenJingle Bear Rockstarted, the audience went wild—laughing, taking photos, and even singing along. The remaining numbers flowed as smooth as cream, with a faultless performance that made Levi’s heart soar. It not only set the bar high for the rest of the season, but it also gave the media excellent coverage for the evening news.
Almost an hour after the final note, a cold and hungry Levi completed the last interview and found Knox patiently waiting for him. Four of the bears, including Knox, had been busy posing for pictures, dressed in their holiday aprons and matching scarves. The money they made went to the local Bureau of Shifter Affairs (BSA) office to provide meals and toys for the children in their care. Dee Dee Tillman finished her final interview about the same time and intercepted the pair.
“Wonderful job! The press ate it up, and did you hear the crowd calling for more? I can’t wait to watch the clips on tonight’s news, and I’m confident our merchants will see a huge increase this year. As a small token of my appreciation, there’s a free meal waiting for you at the Honey Bear. You must be starving by now!”
Since the restaurant wasn’t far, Levi and Knox headed down the overcrowded sidewalks hand in hand. The entire downtown buzzed with people looking for bargains and enjoying the unique decorations and atmosphere. Like all the other establishments they’d passed, the Honey Bear was packed when they stepped inside. When people noticed them, they began to clap and cheer. Levi, of course, turned red as a beet.
One of the servers hurried over to lead them to a table for two with a “Reserved” sign on it. She handed out menus and filled them in on the latest.
“You guys were onnationalnews a few minutes ago! Isn’t that cool? We’re trending on social media too. Bear Creek is really on the map now!”
Levi squirmed in his chair while Knox responded with a smug expression. While they waited for their food, Levi’s phone blew up with congratulatory texts from surprised family and friends. He shared them with Knox, and they laughed together at some of the comments. It relieved Knox to see Levi more cheerful.
“You don’t smell nervous anymore, and you did great tonight. Do you feel better now?”
“Except for being hungry, I’m fine. I’d prefer not to see another journalist or reporter anytime soon, but it was all for a good cause. What went on backstage?”
“Everybody was excited and happy that it went so well. They think you’re a good director, and I agree.”
Levi shook his head.
“Thanks, but I’m not going to take all the credit! Don’t forget we have a lot more performances before this is over. Meanwhile, why don’t we head back to my place after supper and get up to some mischief?”
Knox’s lusty growl was the only response Levi needed.
Chapter 15
The weekend performances, packed as predicted, allowed everyone to settle into the new routine for the next month. Three full weekends and Christmas Eve still awaited, yet the pressure of the inaugural performance no longer hung over their heads. Meanwhile, Levi prepared for the school’s holiday concert on the tenth of December. While not as hyped as the downtown entertainment, expectations were high given Levi’s previous successes.
He met the challenge head-on, inspiring his students to do their best by observing his dedication. It helped that he wasn’t a grumpy taskmaster, but he refused to allow “good enough” when he knew they could do better. Anyone passing by his classroom would hear frequent laughter and see smiling faces when the class hour ended. To keep them motivated, Levi posted what he called “praise notes” right next to the door—emails and phone messages from folks who appreciated the vocal music program.
Knox’s schedule overflowed with snow removal, woodworking orders, and maintenance requests. In addition, there were nuts to process from the Fall harvest and a top-secret Christmas present for Levi that filled his spare time. He also had something special planned following the school concert, but it meant working long hours now to free up time later. He told Levi to pack an overnight bag, and except for the downtown performances, he would be ensconced at the cabin with Knox through Sunday evening.
They stole a few minutes here and there, including a smattering of meals and too little intimacy. The situation left both men frustrated and Knox’s bear grumpy, but they each had responsibilities that couldn’t be ignored. On the first Saturday of December, following the early performance, the pair headed downtown for a quick lunch. Afterward, they decided to stop atDeliciousto check in with Aiden.
There wasn’t a single parking spot on the street, and the sidewalks were crammed with shoppers everywhere they looked. They eventually found a place to park and walked the two blocks back to the shop. Knox opened the door and growled. It was so full they barely made it inside, and everyone held bright green tickets with numbers on them. A female voice rose above the chatter, announcing the completion of someone’s order. Levi wasn’t sure what to make of it and asked Knox.
