Page 17 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
He might be a child who has not had his first shift yet, but he still has shifter blood in his veins and an innate sense for these things,Michael replied.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret,” James said.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to stay a secret,” Michael admitted. “You know, Daniel and his kids know, my mom and dad know…”
“So, you’d better hurry up and tell your mate,” James said with a grin. “I can’t deny I’m a little jealous. But it could not have happened to a better guy.”
“I just hope you all get to meet your mates,” Michael replied.
“We did all wish on the same star.” James raised his eyes to the sky. “So that gives me hope. Now, let’s get this tree to town before they send out a search party. Which would be all kinds of embarrassing when I am in charge of safety.”
“Yes, we should get a move on. Snow’s coming,” Michael noted, tilting his face to the darkened sky. He could smell it. That clean, electric scent that preceded the first real snowfall of winter. His bear stirred inside him, excited by the changing season.
“Perfect timing,” James said, climbing into the passenger seat as Michael settled behind the wheel. “Nothing says Christmas like fresh snow on pine boughs.”
The truck rumbled to life, headlights cutting through the darkness as it pulled away from North Peak Pines. Michaeldrove carefully, mindful of the precious cargo behind them. The roads were clear for now, but that could change quickly if the snow started to fall. Salt gleamed in thin lines where James’s crew had already been.
As they approached the outskirts of town, something shifted in Michael’s awareness. A warmth bloomed in his chest, a tingle along his spine that had nothing to do with the truck’s heater.
His bear suddenly perked up, alert and eager.Sarah.She was nearby. The sense of her, the pull of the mate bond was unmistakable even at this distance.
His bear purred with satisfaction.
He wanted to drive straight to her, but instead he took a left turn. They had one more passenger to pick up.
“There he is,” James said as he spotted Christopher on the side of the road.
Michael pulled over and waited for Christopher to climb in beside James. Then he turned the truck around and headed for their destination. The town square.
As much as choosing and felling the tree was a group effort, so was raising the tree.
“Snow’s coming,” Christopher said, rubbing his hands together.
“We were just saying,” James said, glancing at Michael.
Michael tried to keep his eyes on the road and his expression neutral, but there was no way he could hide his joy. And anyway, it would be unfair not to tell Christopher since James and Daniel…
And Teddy and Maisie, and Mom and Dad…his bear said
Christopher turned to look at him, eyebrows raised. “What’s got into you? You’re grinning like you’ve won the lottery.” His friend’s eyes widened suddenly. “Wait a minute. I know thatlook.” He leaned forward and punched Michael lightly on the shoulder. “You’ve found your mate, haven’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Michael shrugged, unable to wipe the smile from his face. “It’s new. Very new.”
“Hey, don’t keep it to yourself because you pity us poor bear shifters who are going to be alone at Christmas while you’re all loved up with your mate,” Christopher said, his mock offense belied by the genuine happiness in his eyes.
Michael glanced at his friends, the truck slowing as they approached a red light. “I wish you all could find your mates and feel the same way I do. It’s...” He struggled to find words adequate for the sensation. “It’s like finding a piece of yourself you didn’t know was missing.”
“Maybe all our wishes will come true,” Christopher said dreamily, looking out at the twinkling lights of Bear Creek’s Main Street. “Christmas is the season for miracles, after all.”
The light changed, and Michael guided the truck toward the town square, his senses growing more attuned with every block they drove. She was getting closer…or rather, he was getting closer to her. His bear paced restlessly beneath his skin, eager to see Sarah again.
Finally, they pulled into the square, where a small crowd had already gathered. Lanterns hung from the gazebo, and strings of bulbs haloed the snow-dusted benches. The mayor stood chatting with the small crowd that had gathered to decorate the tree.
And there, just arriving from the opposite direction, was Sarah, with Emmy skipping beside her and Pat following at a more measured pace. Michael’s heart stuttered in his chest.
“Earth to Michael,” James said, waving a hand in front of his face. “We’ve got a tree to unload, remember?”
Michael blinked, dragging his attention back to the task at hand. “Right. Sorry.”
