Page 12 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
It’s too big,his bear observed with poorly concealed delight.We’ll have to deliver it. Personally.
Don’t sound too pleased about it,Michael thought back.
His bear chuckled inside him.I am very pleased. And so are you.
Michael couldn’t argue with that. The prospect of seeing more of Sarah, of having a legitimate reason to visit her home, sent a warm thrill through him.
Pat stepped back, hands planted on her hips as she studied the situation. “It’s not going to fit,” she concluded with a shake of her head.
Emmy’s shoulders drooped instantly, her expression crumbling. “Oh no! Our tree!” The disappointment in her small voice tugged at Michael’s heart.
“I’ll deliver it to your house…before dark,” he said without hesitation. “It’s what we do for the big ones.” He kept his voice steady and professional, though his bear practically purred with satisfaction.
His eyes found Sarah’s, checking her reaction. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable. “Does that work for you?”
“Are you sure?” she asked, but her body language told a different story. A slight lean toward him and a hopeful tilt of her head told him everything he needed to know. Shewantedhim to say yes.
“Absolutely,” he replied, careful not to show just how eager he was. “It’s no trouble.”
Relief and gratitude softened her features. “Thank you, that would be wonderful.”
His bear did a mental victory dance.Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!
Michael pulled out his phone, making a show of logging the address Pat provided, though he’d already committed it to memory. 212 Maple Lane. The two-story blue house with the wide porch and the swing. He’d driven past it countless times, never knowing his future mate would one day live there.
“I’ll follow right behind once we finish up here,” he promised Emmy, who had brightened considerably at the solution.
“You’ll bring it soon?” she asked, eyes wide with hope.
“Scout’s honor,” he replied, making the sign that made her giggle.
Pat and Sarah began the process of wrangling Emmy into the car, which involved negotiations about whether her mittensneeded to stay on (they did) and whether she could sit in the front (she could not). Michael watched them, a family unit that somehow already felt like it could be his, too.
His mother approached Sarah before she could get in, pulling her into a warm hug. “Don’t be a stranger,” Holly said, the words carrying more weight than a casual goodbye.
Sarah returned the hug with a soft smile. “I won’t,” she promised, and caught Michael’s gaze over Holly’s shoulder.
He stood back slightly, not wanting to crowd her. “See you soon,” he said simply.
Emmy’s voice piped up from inside the car. “See you soon, Michael! See you soon, tree!” Then she fogged the window with a puff and drew a lopsided star.
As Sarah slid into the passenger seat and closed the door, Daniel appeared at Michael’s side, watching the car pull away. He tilted his head toward the retreating vehicle, his expression knowing.
“That’s her?” Daniel asked quietly.
For once, Michael didn’t deflect or change the subject. He nodded, his voice soft but certain. “That’s her.”
Our mate,his bear rumbled with satisfaction.
If she chooses us,Michael added.
We’ll make choosing easy,his bear countered confidently.
As Pat’s car disappeared down the snowy lane, Michael had to physically restrain himself from following immediately. His feet actually shifted forward before he caught himself, earning a knowing smirk from Daniel.
Then his mother was beside him, practically vibrating with excitement as she clutched his arm. “You finally met her,” Holly said, her eyes shining.
“I did,” Michael replied, keeping his tone deliberately even.
