Page 36 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
The simple question caught Sarah off guard.
“Nothing,” she said, then quickly amended, “I mean, there’s nothing anyone can do except hope he actually shows up this time.”
Michael nodded. “Well, if he doesn’t…” he hesitated, then continued more firmly, “…I can organize something.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “Michael, you don’t have to…”
“I want to,” he said simply. “Not because I think he’ll let her down, but because I think you should have a backup plan. For Emmy’s sake.”
The tightness in Sarah’s chest eased slightly. She didn’t know what to say, how to express the gratitude that suddenly welled up inside her.
“Now,” Michael said, his voice lightening, “I believe I was about to show you something. If you still want to go for that walk?”
Sarah hesitated, glancing at Emmy, who was now examining a display of handmade ornaments with Pat.
“Mom will keep an eye on her,” she said finally. “And I’d like to hear what you wanted to tell me.”
Michael offered his hand again, and this time, when their fingers intertwined, Sarah felt a certainty that whatever Liam’s arrival might bring, this connection with Michael was worth exploring.
“Lead the way,” she said.
Chapter Fifteen – Michael
Michael wanted to share his feelings with Sarah, wanted to tell her how much she meant to him…
She means everything,his bear sighed.
Michael stared at Sarah as they walked through the town square, his bear’s declaration echoing in his mind.Everything.She did mean everything, and he wanted to tell her so badly his chest ached with longing.
But the timing wasn’t right. Not now. Not after seeing the tightness around her eyes when Emmy had been on the phone with her father. Emmy’s face had lit up like the Christmas tree in the square, but Sarah’s had dimmed, worry replacing the easy happiness they’d been sharing moments before.
“Are you hungry?” Michael asked, spotting a small booth with a colorful display of cupcakes. “Those look good.”
Sarah followed his gaze and nodded. “Sure.”
“Is this what you wanted to show me?” she asked, her voice quieter than before.
Michael glanced at her, eyebrows drawing together. He’d wanted to show her the path behind the square that led to a small overlook. His favorite spot in town, where the lights of Bear Creek spread out below like fallen stars.
Get your head in the game!his bear chuckled.
“No,” Michael said, shaking his head with a small smile. “But you have to try these. I always get one when Maggie sets up her booth. We could get some for your mom and Emmy, too.”
Sarah studied the display, her expression easing slightly. “They look too beautiful to eat.”
The cupcakes were works of art. Each one was decorated with intricate designs of snowflakes, miniature Christmas trees, and delicate stars dusted with edible glitter. Michael approached the booth, Sarah beside him.
“Michael North!” The older woman behind the counter beamed at him. “I was hoping you’d stop by tonight.”
“Wouldn’t miss your cupcakes, Maggie,” he replied. “This is Sarah.”
“Lovely to meet you, dear,” Maggie said, her eyes twinkling as they darted between Michael and Sarah. “First time at our Cocoa and Carols?”
“Yes,” Sarah smiled. “Everything’s so beautiful.”
“Four cupcakes, please,” Michael said, pulling out his wallet. “Your choice, Sarah.”
They laughed as they debated the merits of each design. A red velvet cupcake topped with a perfectly crafted fondant cardinal, a chocolate one with mint frosting swirled to look like a pine tree, a vanilla cupcake decorated with a snowman made of white chocolate, and a spice cake crowned with a miniature gingerbread house.
