Page 38 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
“Watch your step here,” he warned as they came to a section where tree roots had pushed up through the path. He offered his hand without thinking.
Sarah hesitated for only a moment before taking it. Her fingers tightened around his.
Our mate, his bear rumbled contentedly.
Oh yeah!Michael said, resisting the urge to shout it from the snow-covered rooftops.
The trail curved upward, and Michael could feel Sarah’s slight tug on his hand as the incline grew steeper. He steadied her with his other hand as she navigated a slippery patch, her gloved fingers clutching his forearm.
“Almost there,” he promised.
When they reached the crest of the small hill, the trees parted to reveal the overlook. Michael watched Sarah’s face, wanting to see her reaction more than the view he’d seen a hundred times before.
Her lips parted in surprise as she took in the panorama of Bear Creek below them. The town sprawled before them with strings of multi-colored lights outlining rooftops, the tall sprucein the town square glowing like a beacon, and beyond that, the scattered lights of farms and cabins dotting the valley floor.
“Michael,” she breathed, “it’s magical.”
Michael grinned widely. “Best view in town.”
Sarah turned to him, her eyes reflecting pinpricks of light from the town below. “I can see why. It’s like looking down on a Christmas card.”
“Shall we sit for a minute?” he asked, gesturing toward the bench.
“Sure.”
They moved to the bench, and Michael brushed away a dusting of snow before they sat. He reluctantly released her hand, immediately missing the connection.
Sarah nodded, still gazing at the vista before them. They settled on the bench, close enough that their shoulders touched. Michael could feel the warmth of her even through their winter coats.
“Bear Creek is full of surprises,” she said, glancing up at him.
“Of the good kind, I hope,” he replied.
“The best.” She cast him a look he could not fathom, but he was certain that she counted him as one of those good surprises.
His bear chuckled.When she finds out about the mating bond, she’ll count us as one of the best.
I hope so,Michael replied.But after a messy divorce, Sarah might not be ready to jump straight into another relationship.
She will when she knows fate has brought us together,his bear said with such confidence Michael found himself believing that it would all work out.
Sarah shivered slightly beside him, and without thinking, Michael shifted closer. To his surprise, she leaned into him, thecupcake box resting on her lap as she sought his warmth. The simple gesture sent a wave of protectiveness through him, and he longed to wrap his arm around her shoulders, to hold her close against the December chill.
“Thanks for showing this to me,” Sarah whispered, her gaze still fixed on the twinkling lights below.
“You’re welcome,” Michael replied, his voice low. The weight of her against his side felt right in a way he couldn’t articulate.
“It’s been so hectic since we got here,” Sarah began. “That it’s nice to take a breath, you know, and appreciate the small things.”
And the big things,said his bear.
“Like cupcakes?” Michael said aloud, choosing to keep the mood light despite the intensity of what he was feeling.
She cracked a smile, her face softening. “Like cupcakes.” She glanced down at the box in her hands. “Speaking of which, we should get back and show them to Emmy.”
For a moment, they simply sat side by side, neither making a move to leave, as if stretching the seconds into something longer. Then Michael stood and offered her his hand. She took it without hesitation, her fingers warm against his palm.
They both took one last look at the view before heading down from the lookout, the path slightly trickier in descent. Michael kept his pace measured, aware of Sarah beside him. The sounds of the crowds grew louder, the choir was still in full voice. Michael guided them through the crowd to Emmy and Pat, and made sure he did not let go of Sarah’s hand. He did not want to lose her in the crowd.
