Page 45 of The Bear's Christmas Wish
“We’re going on a sleigh ride! We’re going on a sleigh ride!” Emmy sang as she ran into Sarah’s bedroom and headed for the window. “Dad should be here soon!”
And I’m going on a date!Sarah smoothed down the front of her sweater, turning sideways to check her reflection one last time. The soft cream color complemented her winter-pale skin, and the emerald scarf brought out flecks of green in her eyes. Was she trying too hard? It wasn’t like Michael had actually called it a date…he’d just invited her to the Christmas market in Wolf Valley. Friends did that sort of thing all the time.
Except friends didn’t make her stomach flutter whenever they smiled at her. Friends didn’t occupy her thoughts during quiet moments. Friends didn’t make her check her reflection five times before leaving the house.
She ran her fingers through her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. The truth was, she wanted it to be a date. The way Michael looked at her made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t in years. If ever.
She couldn’t recall Liam ever looking at her in the same way.
“Mom!” Emmy’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Is Dad here yet?”
Sarah’s heart sank as reality crashed back. She glanced at her watch. Liam was already fifteen minutes late. But that could be due to the weather. The journey might have taken him longer than he expected because of the ice on the roads.
“Are you all wrapped up, ready to go?” Sarah asked, going to join Emmy at the window where she was staring out along the street.
“Yes.” Emmy held up her hands. “Mittens, scarf, jacket, boots.”
“You do look snug,” Sarah said as she wrapped her arms around her daughter and followed her gaze, her stomach churning.
She had texted Liam yesterday to confirm he was still coming to Bear Creek and that he had the correct address, and also knew what time to pick Emmy up.
He’d replied with:Yes. Don’t stress.
But right now, Sarah was stressed. The hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach would not go away.
She’d been here before, so many times. Not just with Emmy. No, she carried her own bitter memories of being let down by her husband—anniversaries, birthdays, work events, hell, even one Christmas before Emmy was born. But surely after the divorce, after she and Emmy had moved away, Liam would make an effort to get this right. For his daughter.
But as the minutes ticked by and no Liam arrived, Sarah’s mind raced through contingency plans. Michael had offered a backup sleigh ride, but she hated to impose on him when he’d made plans to visit the Christmas market over in Wolf Valley.
She could take Emmy herself, but it wouldn’t be the same. Emmy had her heart set on going with her dad.
“He’s going to come,” Emmy murmured as much to herself as to Sarah. “I know he’s going to come.”
Sarah closed her eyes and hoped Emmy was right and her dad would come. The weight of her daughter’s faith was almostunbearable. How many disappointments could one small heart take?
Then Emmy stiffened and leaned forward as a vehicle appeared around the corner and then came to a stop outside their house. But the vehicle belonged to a certain Christmas tree farmer, not a certain deadbeat ex-husband.
Sarah squashed down her anger, which was brewing hot, fit to boil. Michael had come to pick her up for their Christmas market outing, right on time as promised. And now she’d have to cancel because Liam was a letdown. Again.
“Michael’s here. I’ll see you later,” Emmy said in a small voice and gave Sarah a hug.
“Em, I am not going to leave,” Sarah said. “Grandma has gone to meet her friend.”
“But Michael is here to take you to the Christmas market,” Emmy said in a tone that broke Sarah’s heart.
Damn Liam. If only he were like Michael, thoughtful and kind. And on time.
That’s what added to her pain. She was going to have to let Michael down, too. Yes, Liam had ruined not only Emmy’s plans, but Michael’s, too. And hers, she reminded herself. But that didn’t matter compared to how upset Emmy was going to be.
“I need to go talk to Michael,” Sarah said, kissing the top of Emmy’s head. “Will you be okay here for a minute?”
Emmy nodded, her eyes still fixed on the empty street beyond Michael’s truck.
Sarah grabbed her coat and headed outside. Michael was just climbing out of his truck, a warm smile spreading across his face when he saw her. The sight made her chest ache with what-might-have-been.
“Hey,” he called, his breath clouding in the cold air. “Ready for some Christmas market magic?”
Sarah crossed her arms, partly against the cold, partly to hold herself together. “Michael, I’m so sorry, but I need to cancel.”
