Page 4 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
Pat settled across from her with her steaming mug. “The internet reaches Bear Creek just fine, last I checked. And I heard the town council might need someone to redesign all ofits tourism materials for next year.” Her eyes twinkled. “Imighthave mentioned my talented daughter was moving back.”
“Mom,” Sarah groaned, but there was no real annoyance behind it. That was her mom. Already working her quiet magic, making connections without seeming to try. “You’re impossible.”
It was a knack Sarah had not inherited from her mom, but she sure wished she had. What she wouldn’t give to make any kind of connection right now. A connection that might help restore her sense of self-worth and soothe her battered self-confidence.
The failure of her marriage hurt. Hurt deeply. Not because she could not bear living without her ex-husband, Liam. No, that wasn’t it at all.
She’d be just fine without him. But Emmy, her dearest, sweetest daughter, now belonged to a broken family with her parents living miles apart.
What effect would the breakup have on her? Would Christmas morning feel hollow without the shape of what used to be?
Sarah pushed the overriding feeling of guilt back down. Divorce—separate lives—would be better than staying in a bitter marriage. And that was where her relationship with Liam was heading if they had stayed together.
He’d let them both down too many times.
A creak from upstairs made them both glance at the ceiling. Emmy was awake. They exchanged a quick look, and their conversation paused.
There was an unspoken rule that they would never talk about Liam and the divorce in front of Emmy.
Moments later, the thunder of feet on the stairs announced Emmy’s imminent arrival. She appeared in the doorway, still inher star-patterned pajamas, her hair rumpled and her grin as bright as a string of fairy lights.
“Today’s the day!” she announced, with arms stretched wide. “We’re getting our Christmas tree! Grandma Pat said North Peak Pines has thebesttrees in all of Bear Creek! Maybe even the entire world!”
“We are? Today?” Sarah widened her eyes in exaggerated surprise. “I thought we were staying in and doing the laundry!”
“Mom!” Emmy put her hands on her hips. “You promised! You said we could get a tree as soon as we arrived in Bear Creek!” She turned to Pat. “Grandma, tell her!”
Pat merely chuckled and sipped her tea, amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes. “Promises are promises.”
Emmy dashed to Sarah, wrapping small arms around her waist. “You’re just teasing,” she said with certainty. “You wouldn’t forgettree day.”
Sarah’s heart squeezed. Even with everything changing in Emmy’s world, she still trusted her mother to keep the important promises. Sarah smoothed a hand over Emmy’s tangled hair.
“Of course I didn’t forget,” she said. “We’ll go right after breakfast. But first, cereal for you, young lady. You have to keep your strength up if you’re going to chop down a tree.”
“Mom,” Emmy said with a roll of her eyes. “The tree farmer chops the trees.”
“He does?” Sarah asked as she reached for Emmy’s favorite cereal, which Pat had bought specially and hidden behind the porridge like contraband. “Now that’s a relief. Now, sit and eat.”
Emmy needed no further prompting, sliding into her chair as Sarah poured cereal and milk. Sarah nibbled at a piece of toast, watching her daughter’s animated chatter about ornaments andlights and where the tree should go. The simple joy on Emmy’s face made something ease in Sarah’s mind, pushing back against her worries.
Maybe she hadn’t made a mistake bringing them here. Maybe this quiet town with its mountains and traditions was exactly what they needed. She could almost see the living room glowing with Emmy’s handmade paper snowflakes in the window, a tree brushing the ceiling, and hot chocolate mustaches.
When Emmy dashed off to get dressed, Pat wrapped Sarah in a quick, tight hug.
“Stop fretting,” she said softly. “You’re a wonderful mother. Emmy’s going to be just fine.”
Sarah felt her mouth turn down at the corners. She shrugged slightly, unable to find the words for the doubt that had been her constant companion since signing the divorce papers.
“I’m not so sure about that,” she finally whispered. “It’s going to be strange for Emmy on Christmas morning without her dad.”
Pat gently tilted her daughter’s chin up, the gesture so familiar it made Sarah feel eight years old again. “You are awonderfulmom,” she said firmly. “And we’re going to make this the best Christmas ever. We’ve got gingerbread houses to make, carols to sing, and a star to hang. There’s work to do!”
Sarah took a steadying breath. “Well then, we’d better go choose a tree.”
“We’d better.” Pat was about to shuffle out of the kitchen, then stopped and snagged a knitted scarf from a hook and looped it around Sarah’s neck with an efficient tug. “Wrap up warm. It’s a cold one!”
Thirty minutes later, they were all gathered by the front door, bundled against the December chill. Emmy wore her favoritepom-pom hat, practically vibrating with excitement as they stepped outside.
