Page 34 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
Sarah shook her head, her throat tight with unexpected emotion. “No,” she managed, “I don’t think I have.”
“It’s like a fairy tale,” Emmy said, her face upturned and bathed in the kaleidoscope of colored light.
The crowd around them seemed equally entranced, a collective murmur of appreciation rippling through the gathered townspeople. Sarah glanced at Michael, expecting to find him admiring his handiwork with the magnificent tree, but instead found his eyes fixed on her.
The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch. He wasn’t looking at the lights or the decorations. He was looking at her with the same wonder everyone else reserved for the holiday display. When their eyes met, he smiled shyly, and she couldn’thelp smiling back, ducking her head as warmth crept into her cheeks that had nothing to do with the night air.
Emmy tugged at her mom’s hand. “Mom! Look!” She pointed toward a small wooden booth. “They’re selling wish stars for the tree!”
Before Sarah could respond, Emmy let go of both their hands and darted through the crowd toward the booth.
“I’ll get these,” Pat said, reaching for her wallet. “Michael seems a bit occupied.”
Sarah glanced back to see Michael surrounded by townspeople, accepting handshakes and thanks for donating the magnificent tree. His tall frame stood out even in the crowd, and though he smiled politely at everyone, she noticed how his eyes kept finding their way back to her.
The vendor handed them each a wooden star with a small card attached. Emmy immediately grabbed a pen and began writing, her tongue poking out in concentration.
“What are you wishing for?” Sarah asked, though she already suspected the answer.
“A reindeer sleigh ride,” Emmy declared, carefully forming each letter. “Maisie and Teddy told me all about them. They’re going with their dad this weekend.” She finished with a flourish and darted off toward the tree. “I’m going to hang it up!”
“Stay where I can see you,” Sarah called after her, watching as Emmy carefully selected a branch at her height.
“What about you, Mom?” Sarah turned to Pat. “What’s your wish?”
Her mother’s eyes grew misty as she held up her completed star. “For my daughter to find the happiness she deserves.”
Something caught in Sarah’s throat as she pulled her mother into a tight hug. Over Pat’s shoulder, she saw Michael finallyextracting himself from his well-wishers and making his way toward them.
Pat whispered in her ear, “And I think you know exactly where to find that happiness.”
Sarah pulled back, tilting her head as a small smile played at her lips. “I’m beginning to think I do.”
With steady hands that belied the flutter in her chest, Sarah wrote her wish—that they would all find their happily ever after—and hung it on a branch near Emmy’s star.
Michael reached them just as she stepped back from the tree. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, snowflakes melting in his dark hair.
“Aren’t you going to make a wish?” she asked, nodding toward the remaining star in Pat’s hand.
His eyes darkened as they held hers, the intensity returning. “My wishes have already come true.”
Sarah felt drawn toward him like a compass finding north. When his hand brushed against hers, even that slight touch sent electricity racing up her arm.
“Sarah,” he said, his voice lower than before, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs. “What?”
Michael glanced around at the bustling crowd. “Not here. Maybe we can go for a walk?”
Nervousness fluttered in her stomach as she licked her lips. “I’ll ask my mom to keep an eye on Emmy.”
Pat had already overheard, as mothers often did, and was nodding before Sarah could ask her. “Go on,” she said with a knowing smile. “Emmy and I will be fine. We still have hot donuts to find.”
Sarah turned back to Michael, who offered his hand. After only a moment’s hesitation, she slipped her fingers between his, marveling at how natural it felt.
But as they took a step, Sarah’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out, ready to silence it, when Emmy spotted the screen.
“Dad!” Emmy cried, her eyes lighting up. “Mom, it’s Dad calling!”
