Page 35 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
Sarah froze, Liam’s face flashing on her screen. Her thumb hovered over the decline button for a fraction of a second before Emmy’s hopeful expression made the decision for her.
“Hi, Liam,” she answered, forcing a lightness into her voice. “Hold on, Emmy wants to talk to you.”
She passed the phone to Emmy, whose entire face had transformed with excitement. Michael stepped back, giving them space, but Sarah could feel his eyes on her, watching her reaction.
“Dad! Guess what? We got the biggest Christmas tree ever!” Emmy bounced on her toes as she spoke. “And I helped decorate it with real glass balls and lights that twinkle and…and there’s this huge tree in the town square, too, and it has a million lights on it!”
Sarah watched her daughter’s animation, the way her free hand gestured wildly as she described every detail of their Bear Creek Christmas adventures. The knot in her stomach tightened when Emmy mentioned the sleigh rides.
“The sleigh rides have real reindeer with bells and everything,” Emmy continued. “Maisie and Teddy are going this weekend with their dad and…” She paused, listening. Her eyes widened, and she let out a squeal that turned heads in the crowd. “Really? You will? That’s so awesome!”
Sarah’s heart plummeted. She knew that look, that tone. Liam had just promised something. Again. The same Liam who had forgotten to buy the toy he’d promised Emmy for her last birthday. The same Liam who had forgotten to call on Thanksgiving until the next day.
Emmy continued chattering, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she told her dad about Cocoa and Carols and the wishing stars and the new friends she’d made. Sarah glanced at Michael, who had moved a few steps away to give them privacy but remained close enough that she could see the concern in his eyes.
“Bye, Dad! Love you!” Emmy finally finished, thrusting the phone back toward Sarah. “Mom, Dad wants to talk to you.”
Sarah took the phone and moved a few steps away, turning slightly to shield her expression from both Emmy and Michael.
“Does this mean you’re coming to Bear Creek?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“I am,” Liam replied, his voice carrying that familiar charm that had once made her heart race but now just made her wary. “It sounds like you guys are having a blast. All that small-town Christmas charm.”
Sarah sighed heavily, watching Emmy skip back to Pat, already bubbling over with news about her father’s promised visit. “We are. And I know Emmy would love to show you around.”
A pause. “And you?”
The question hung between them, loaded with implications. Sarah’s throat tightened. She wanted…needed…Liam to follow through for Emmy’s sake. One disappointment too many could break their daughter’s heart in ways that might never fully heal. But she also needed him to understand where they stood.
“You know you’re always welcome to visit Emmy,” she said, keeping her tone friendly but neutral, emphasizing their daughter’s name.
“Then it’s a date,” Liam replied, his voice brightening. “I’ll be there this weekend.”
No, it’s not a date,Sarah screamed silently, her free hand clenching into a fist. But she forced herself to unclench her fingers one by one.
“See you then,” she managed, and ended the call.
When she turned back, Michael was watching her, his expression unreadable. She walked toward him, suddenly feeling as though she’d betrayed something fragile that had been growing between them. Which was ridiculous. They’d known each other for mere days. There was nothing to betray. And yet...
“Everything okay?” he asked, his voice gentle.
“My ex is coming to visit,” she said, the words falling heavily between them. “This weekend.”
Michael nodded slowly. “For Emmy?”
“Yes.” Sarah glanced over at her daughter, who was now enthusiastically telling Pat about the upcoming visit. “He promised to take her on a sleigh ride.”
Something in her tone must have revealed more than she intended, because Michael’s brow furrowed slightly. “You don’t sound convinced he’ll follow through.”
Sarah gnawed on her bottom lip, the frustration she’d been holding back threatening to spill over. “Liam is...consistent in his inconsistency. He makes big promises, then has big emergencies that prevent him from keeping them.”
“And you’re left picking up the pieces,” Michael finished for her.
“Every time.” She sighed, feeling the weight of years of disappointment, not for herself, but for Emmy. “I just don’t want her hurt again.”
Michael was quiet for a moment, his gaze drifting to where Emmy stood with Pat. When he looked back at Sarah, his eyes were warm with understanding.
“What can I do?”
