Page 54 of Bear Creek Christmas
Knox enjoyed watching his mate get ready, giddy with excitement. Then, donning boots and coats, they stepped out into a bright but cold day. It snowed overnight, coating the landscape with another three inches of heavy, wet flakes. In the workshop, they grabbed a saw, tarp, and rope and headed out to a location Knox had chosen earlier. The walk took about ten minutes, with only the depth of the snow slowing their progress. When they arrived, Knox waved his hand in a wide arc.
“There you go. These are Eastern White Pine and all about the right size. Pick one out, and I’ll cut it down.”
Levi could envision where they’d put the tree in the cabin, but the height and width needed to be just right. He examined at least a dozen, walking all around them when possible to make sure they were symmetrical and didn’t have any missing branches. Knox helped him remove the accumulated snow to get a true picture, and after several minutes, Levi found the perfect tree.
“This one! You’ll have to cut it low to the ground, but it’s exactly what we need.”
Levi spread out the tarp and stood back as Knox notched one side of the trunk and then cut it all the way through. Together, they wrapped and tied it securely for the trip back. Dragging the tree behind, the pair retraced their steps to the cabin as Levi chattered away.
“I’m glad we could get it right here and do it ourselves. We always had a real tree when I was a kid, but dad picked it out and brought it home on the top of the car. I think he figured it would take too long if everybody wanted a vote. What did your family do?”
The question stirred up sad memories, and Knox hesitated to say anything.
“We didn’t celebrate Christmas. This will be the first one for me.”
The admission nearly broke Levi’s heart, and he wondered what else Knox’s dysfunctional childhood inflicted on him. One thing became clear—he’d do what he could to make Christmas special for him from now on.
“Really? I’m so sorry, love. I feel kind of bad doing all this, especially if it doesn’t mean anything to you.”
Knox stopped walking and pulled Levi close.
“Seeing you happy and having fun means a lot to me. Besides, I like doing new things together.”
Levi gave him a cold kiss.
“Thank you, but I don’t get to decide everything. Making our own traditions means we both have a say in what we do.”
It pleased Knox’s bear that Levi was planning a future together, which meant he must be getting close to accepting his status as a mate. Knox quietly agreed, believing Levi might be waiting for the right time to announce it. Maybe after the holidays when the man wasn’t so swamped. Lost in thought, Knox didn’t notice that Levi had stopped, armed himself, and launched a cold, wet grenade. The snowball impacted his left shoulder, showering his exposed neck and face in a coating of ice crystals.
Startled, Knox looked up at a grinning Levi, already holding another winter weapon. He threw that one, too, and then took off for the cabin. Affronted, Knox’s bear insisted he hunt down the miscreant, and the chase was on. Leaving the Christmas tree behind, Knox scooped up some snow and hurried after his mate. Following the man’s scent, he knew exactly where he’d gone—now hiding behind an enormous oak alongside the path.
Lobbing one snowball after another, Knox left Levi no choice but to remain hunkered down as he silently closed in. When Knox rounded the tree, Levi jumped up and pelted him again, escaping once more and laughing hysterically. Only one solution remained, and Knox quickly stripped, shifted, and went after his naughty mate. Able to run up to thirty-five miles an hour in short sprints, Knox closed the gap much faster than Levi anticipated.
Levi’s triumph turned to shock as Knox barreled in for the kill. The hapless human threw his remaining snowballs in a last-ditch attempt to slow the determined beast, but to no avail. His decision to run failed when he tripped over his feet and landed with a thud on the path. Knox stood over him, breathing heavily, and shoved his cold, snow-splattered snout under Levi’s coat. Knox already had his legs pinned down, leaving his mate no choice but to take it.
“Stop it, you silly bear! Gahhh, your nose isfreezing!”
Knox pulled his snout back and shook the snow from his head and shoulders all over Levi, eliciting more protests.
“All right, I surrender! Now get off me, you big lummox.”
The bear stood on all fours and shuffled backward, allowing Levi to get up and brush himself off. He looked around and realized some things were missing.
“Where’s the tree and your clothes?
Knox jerked his head to the side, indicating “back there”.
“Well, we need to find them and get inside before I freeze to death! Come on.”
Knox growled, swung his head from side to side, and lay down in the snow. Levi wasn’t sure he understood.
“You want me to ride you? But you’re a bear, not a horse! Are you sure?”
Knox nodded, and Levi went over to climb aboard, legs splayed wide on the heavy beast. The big bear was warm, at least keeping Levi’s legs and backside from freezing. By the time they picked up the tree and Knox’s outerwear, the rest of Levi felt chilled to the bone. This time, Knox brought them around to the cabin’s rear entrance, and Levi hopped down to open the back door.
He trundled in, shifted, and asked Levi for his boots and gloves. Knox put them on, sans clothing, and went back outside long enough to unwrap the tree and bring it into the kitchen. Together, they placed the stump in a bucket of water and propped the tree in a corner until they were ready to set it up in the living room. Levi shivered with cold, and Knox looked down at his junk in despair.
“I think my balls have crawled up inside. Get naked, mate; we’re taking a hot bath!”
