Page 41 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
“And she wants you to be happy,” Pat said gently. “We both do.”
Sarah nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. For just a moment, she allowed herself to picture a future with Michael—his warm smile across the breakfast table, his strong hands helping Emmy build a snowman.
His arms around Sarah at night as he held her close to his chest. But that was just a fairy tale, wasn’t it? Real life was messier, more complicated.
Sarah had baggage. A trunk full. Liam’s call had proved that tonight and had briefly spoiled her mood this evening. Was it fair to expect Michael to be with her while she unpacked that baggage?
He deserved better.
Pat finished her tea and stood with a small groan. “I’m off to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”
“I won’t,” Sarah promised. “Goodnight, Mom.”
When Pat had gone upstairs, Sarah carried her tea through to the small alcove that served as her temporary office. She settled at the desk and opened her laptop, pulling up the designprogram. The North Peak Pines logo appeared on her screen, and she smiled despite herself.
She worked steadily, losing herself in the familiar rhythm of design as she refined and expanded the designs Michael had preferred. She played with different fonts, experimenting with color schemes that would catch the eye without being garish. As she worked, she thought about what Michael would like. What would make those brown eyes crinkle at the corners.
When the designs were finally complete, she saved her work and closed the laptop. Upstairs, she changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth, then paused at the window. The night was clear now; stars scattered across the dark sky like diamonds on velvet. Somewhere out there, Michael was probably looking at those same stars.
Sarah pressed her fingertips against the cold glass. Bear Creek glittered below, peaceful and serene under its blanket of snow.
If only she could capture some of that peace and serenity.
Chapter Seventeen – Michael
Michael loved his job. He loved tending the trees, he loved the smell of pine, and, most of all, he loved seeing the smile on his customers’ faces when they found the perfect tree. He was a man who took great pride in his work and was honored that the townsfolk of Bear Creek trusted him with such an important task.
Today was especially busy, with families streaming in to find the perfect centerpiece for their holiday celebrations. Just the way he liked it.
Although he had to admit, he was finding it hard to focus on trees when all he wanted to do was drive over to Sarah’s house and profess his love to her.
I’m not going to stop you,his bear said.
Why does that not surprise me,Michael answered lightly.
But duty called.
The breeze ruffled through the branches of the Fraser fir as Michael carefully secured it to the roof of the Reynald family’s SUV. He gave the straps one final tug, making sure the tree wouldn’t budge during the drive home.
“Is it tight enough?” Mr. Reynald, a man about Michael’s age, asked as his two excited children, who had insisted onhelping,stood by while he loaded the tree.
“Perfect,” Michael confirmed, patting the trunk of the tree. “This one’s not going anywhere.”
“Yes, it is,” the boy said as he copied Michael in giving the ropes a tug. “It’s going home with us.”
The little girl, no more than six, tugged at Michael’s jacket. “We’re going to put presents under it! Lots and lots of presents!”
Michael crouched down to her level, smiling. “Is that so? Well, this tree has plenty of room for presents.”
“I asked Santa for a new bike,” the boy announced, then his eyes narrowed as he assessed the tree. “Do you think it’ll fit under there?”
“I think Santa can make anything fit,” Michael assured him, standing back up.
As the family climbed into their vehicle, the children’s faces pressed against the windows, waving goodbye. Michael sighed with a familiar sense of seasonal satisfaction. This was why he loved Christmas at North Peak Pines. The joy, the anticipation, the way families came together around something as simple as a tree.
A tree he’d grown from a seed and nurtured as it grew.
Just like the seed of love that was planted in his heart and growing stronger by the day…no, thesecondever since he’d met his mate.
