Page 18 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
“Your mate’s not going anywhere,” James teased as they climbed out of the truck. “But if you want to impress her, maybe focus on raising the town’s Christmas tree?”
Michael rolled his eyes, but his bear nudged him in agreement. James had a point.
“Let’s do this,” he said, lowering the tailgate.
Between the three of them, they unstrapped the massive spruce and carefully maneuvered it off the truck bed. Michael positioned himself at the trunk, bearing the brunt of the weight as they carried it to the waiting stand in the center of the square. A hush fell at the first lift, followed by a ripple of cheers as the crown cleared the crowd.
He was acutely aware of Sarah watching from across the square, a blue scarf wrapped around her neck and a matching hat pulled down over her hair. With a grunt, he hoisted the tree upright, steadying it as James and Christopher secured the base.
“Perfect,” the mayor declared, stepping back to admire their work. “Best tree we’ve had in years.”
He says that every year,Michael’s bear said in amusement.
However, Michael barely heard the praise. Sarah was moving toward them now, Emmy tugging her forward eagerly. Michael held his breath for a moment. Part of him had begun to think meeting his mate had all been a dream, but here she was in the flesh.
“It’s amazing,” Sarah said as they reached the tree, her eyes wide with appreciation. “Even bigger than you described.”
“Michael said it was as big as a house!” Emmy exclaimed, tilting her head back to see the top. “How are you going to get the star on top? I mean, it’s not really done with magic, is it?”
“We’ve got a special ladder,” Michael explained, unable to stop smiling at her enthusiasm. “And lots of helping hands. That’s where the magic comes in. People helping each other.”
“I like that,” Sarah murmured to him.
“It’s magnificent,” Pat announced, patting the trunk as if greeting an old friend. “You boys have outdone yourselves.”
His chest swelled with pride at their appreciation. This was a tree they had raised from seedling to splendor. Just as he would love to help raise Emmy. And maybe someday, a child of their own.
The thought caught him off guard with its certainty, but his bear just rumbled in agreement.Yes. Our family.
“Michael!” Daniel called, approaching with Maisie and Teddy in tow. “Tree looks fantastic!”
The children immediately gravitated toward Emmy, their excited chatter filling the cold night air. Daniel gave Michael a knowing look, his gaze flicking briefly to Sarah before returning with a subtle nod of approval.
Christopher made his way over, wiping his hands on his jeans. “You must be Sarah,” he said, extending his hand. “I’ve heard absolutely nothing about you, which means Michael’s been keeping secrets.”
Sarah laughed, the sound warming Michael from the inside out. “Guilty as charged, I suppose. I’m the thief who stole his afternoon when he delivered our tree and helped decorate it.”
Christopher gave Michael a wide grin and an exaggerated wink. “Time well spent, I’m sure. Michael is an expert on allthings Christmas tree.” He tipped his head toward Emmy. “And clearly loves training the next generation.”
Before Michael could respond, a small convoy of vehicles pulled into the square. The Thornberg family arrived en masse—Hugo and Leanne from the Thornberg Vineyard with crates of mulled wine, Waylan and Mary from the Thornberg Ranch with hay bales for seating, and the Thornberg restaurant crew with steaming trays of food.
“Let the decorating begin!” Mayor Wilson announced, opening a trailer that was used to store the boxes of Christmas ornaments collected over decades.
The square transformed into a hive of activity. Ladders appeared, lights were untangled, and the scent of mulled wine and hot food filled the air. Sarah and Emmy joined in enthusiastically, Emmy helping with the placement of lower ornaments while Sarah helped string lights around the middle sections.
Michael worked alongside her, their hands occasionally brushing as they passed decorations back and forth. Each touch sent a pleasant shock through his system, his bear rumbling contentedly at their proximity.
“You really love this, don’t you?” Sarah asked as they worked. “The tree, the town, the traditions.”
Michael nodded, helping her reach a high branch. “There’s nothing like seeing so many people working together,” he said simply. “And I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
Their eyes met in the glow of the Christmas lights, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the cold, the crowd, the noise. There was just Sarah, her warm eyes reflecting the twinkling lights, her smile softening as she looked at him.
His bear sighed happily.Nothing like it indeed.
Chapter Eight – Sarah
As Sarah helped decorate the huge Christmas tree, she was slowly falling in love with this new life she’d started in Bear Creek. And maybe she was falling a little in love with the local tree farmer, too.
