Page 44 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
The question caught him slightly off guard with its perceptiveness. Michael nodded slowly. “It does. Christmas is such a special time for family.” He paused, then added, “And friends.” He glanced at her, the word “friends” feeling entirely inadequate for what she meant to him.
His bear urged him to say more, to tell her everything, but Michael swallowed the words.Not yet. Not here in the middle of the farm with customers milling about.
“How about that coffee?” he suggested instead.
“Sure.”
They walked together to the cabin, the warmth enveloping them as Michael opened the door. The rich aroma of coffee filled the small space. He hung their coats on the hooks by the door, suddenly aware of how the office felt different with Sarah in it—less a workspace and more like a home.
“Cream or sugar?” he asked, pouring coffee into two mugs.
“Just a splash of cream,” Sarah replied, settling at the small table and opening her tablet. “Ready to see what I’ve been working on?”
Michael joined her, their shoulders nearly touching as he leaned in to see the screen. The new designs she’d created took his breath away—clean, elegant layouts that captured the spirit of North Peak Pines perfectly. Sarah had incorporated delicate snowflakes and rich evergreen colors that seemed to jump off the screen.
“Sarah, these are...” he searched for the right word, “perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Her cheeks flushed at the praise. “You really think so?”
“I do.” He pointed to the design featuring a family looking up at a tree. “This captures the essence of the tree farm.”
Sarah smiled, her eyes meeting his. “I guess I was inspired.”
A beep from Sarah’s phone broke the moment. She glanced at the screen, skimming a message.
“Everything okay?” Michael asked, trying not to appear too nosy.
“Yes,” she nodded. “Mom wants me to pick up some flour on the way home. She’s making Emmy’s favorite cookies.”
Sarah slipped her phone back into her pocket and began gathering her things. “I should probably get going.”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Michael offered, trying to hide his disappointment that their time together was ending.
Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the snow as they walked back to the parking area. Michael’s mind raced, searching for a reason, any reason, to see her again soon.
Ask her out,his bear urged.Just do it.
However, Michael could not form the words as, all too quickly, they reached her car. It was as if she left him tongue-tied and breathless all at once.
Sarah turned to face him, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air. “Thanks for letting me help with the Hendersons. I enjoyed that.”
“Thank you for the designs,” Michael replied. “They’re really amazing.”
A moment of silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken possibilities.
Ask her,his bear insisted.Now.
Michael took a deep breath. “Sarah, I was wondering if you’d like me to show you the Christmas market over in Wolf Valley. It’s on Saturday. We could go while Emmy is on her sleigh ride with her dad.” The words tumbled out before he could second-guess himself. “It’s pretty special.”
Sarah ducked her head, but not before he caught the smile spreading across her face. “Yes,” she said, looking back up at him. “I’d love to.”
His heart soared as she climbed into her car, waving as she drove away. Michael stood watching until her car disappeared around the bend, snow beginning to fall gently around him.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction.Finally, we’re getting somewhere.
Michael smiled to himself as he turned back toward the rows of trees. Yes, they certainly were.
Chapter Eighteen – Sarah
