Chapter Thirteen – Christopher
Pizza had never tasted so good! Not even those handmade by Louis!
That’s because we have never shared pizza with our mate, Christopher’s bear said, wishing he could enjoy pizza in the forest with their mate too.
One day, Christopher said as he watched Sorcha from across the wooden table.
He could stare at her all day. He loved the way her eyes lit up as she took another bite of Louis’s famous Forest Forager pizza. A smudge of sauce clung to the corner of her mouth, and his fingers itched to reach across and wipe it away. Instead, he gripped his napkin tighter, fighting the urge.
“This is incredible,” she said, gesturing with her half-eaten slice. “Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
“My pleasure,” he said, treasuring each moment with her as if it were his last.
It’s not, his bear assured him.
But Christopher knew it was going to take more than pizza in the forest to make Sorcha stay. He also knew that he would find a way. He just needed to find the right words. The right actions.
As they savored the last of their pizza in companionable silence, Louis brought over two steaming cups of coffee, the rich aroma mingling with the scent of wood smoke from the oven and the crisp tang of snow in the air.
“On the house,” Louis said as he set the coffee down on the table.
“Thanks,” Sorcha said. “But if this is your way of trying to influence my feature on your pizza shack, you didn’t have to. It’s a ten out of ten from me. Although the ambiance you have created here makes it almost like the kind of secret I’m reluctant to share.”
“Ah, no bribe necessary. I believe the pizza always speaks for itself,” Louis said. “The coffee is just my way of saying thank you for offering to feature us. I’m very proud of what we have created here.”
“You should be. It’s amazing and unique,” Sorcha said as she picked up her coffee cup and raised it to him as if in a toast.
“You’ll make me blush,” Louis said with a wink and then headed back to the shack.
Christopher wrapped his hands around the warm mug, watching as Sorcha took a sip. The afternoon light filtered through the trees, catching in her auburn hair, turning the loose strands to copper fire.
Perfect. His bear sighed contentedly within him.
Absolutely, Christopher agreed.
“You know I was already beginning to fall in love with Bear Creek,” Sorcha said as she stared out into the forest. “But this…”
“There’s more to see,” Christopher said.
And more to love, his bear added.
“Okay, let’s see what’s next.” Sorcha’s eyes lit up as she flipped open her notepad, scanning the pages with her finger.
“There’s a trail through the forest I wanted to hike.
Do you know it?” Her smile grew wider as she pulled out a map that was tucked into the back of the notepad and spread it out on the table.
“I always like to include something people can do that’s not commercial.
Natural experiences that cost nothing but time. ”
“That’s a great idea,” Christopher said eagerly. This was why Sorcha was so good at what she did. She thought about the whole experience, not just the obvious attractions. “I know just the trail you mean.”
They gathered their empty cups and pizza remnants, carrying them back to the shack. Louis and Renee stood in the doorway, arms around each other’s waists, their faces glowing with the easy affection of decades together.
“Would it be alright if I took your photo for the article?” Sorcha asked, already reaching for her camera.
“Of course,” Renee beamed, nestling closer to Louis.
Christopher stepped back as Sorcha captured the couple framed in the rustic doorway, their bodies fitting together perfectly, Louis’s arm protectively around Renee’s shoulders. The sight made something ache deep in his chest.
That will be us soon, his bear said with certainty, if you ever get around to telling her.
Christopher swallowed hard. Maybe this hike along the trail might be the perfect opportunity, he thought. They’d be alone, surrounded by the beauty of the forest. If the moment felt right…
Yes! his bear agreed happily, the enthusiasm radiating through Christopher’s body.
They said their goodbyes to Louis and Renee, promising to return soon, and headed back to the truck. Ready for their next adventure.
“It’s going to be dark in two or three hours,” Christopher observed as he started the engine. He was glad he was here with Sorcha. The trail could be tricky to navigate for someone unfamiliar with it, especially as daylight faded.
And after dark? his bear asked suggestively.
Christopher ignored the question, focusing instead on navigating the narrow forest road. Twenty minutes later, they pulled into a small clearing where a weathered wooden sign marked the trailhead.
“This is it,” he said as they climbed out of the truck. “Aspen Ridge Trail.”
The cold hit him immediately, sharp and clean, but the beauty of the place made it worth it. Late afternoon sunlight slanted through the trees, turning the snow into diamonds. The forest stretched before them, ancient pines standing sentinel along the path that wound up the ridge.
Sorcha gasped softly beside him, her breath clouding in the frigid air. She immediately pulled out her camera, capturing the trail sign, the sun-dappled path, and the vista of mountains visible through the trees.
“It’s stunning,” she murmured, her eyes wide as she lowered her camera.
Christopher watched her taking it all in, memorizing the wonder on her face. How many places had she been? How many beautiful vistas had she photographed? And yet she still had this capacity for awe, this genuine appreciation for the natural world. It made his chest tighten with emotion.
They started along the trail, their boots crunching in the packed snow. Christopher walked slightly behind her, alert for any patches of ice or hidden obstacles. The path climbed gently through stands of pine and aspen, occasionally opening to reveal breathtaking views of the valley below.
After they’d been walking for about fifteen minutes, Christopher gathered his courage. “So, what’s next for you?” he asked, keeping his tone casual. He needed to know where she was headed next before he tried to convince her to stay.
“Oh,” Sorcha glanced at him, a flicker of something, perhaps hesitation, crossing her face. “I’m not sure yet.”
Christopher’s heart leaped. No next assignment already lined up? That was promising. “No, next assignment?” he asked, unable to keep the hope from his voice.
She shrugged, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. “I kind of got a job offer,” she said after a moment. “It’s for my dream job.”
“Oh.” The single syllable dropped from Christopher’s mouth like a stone, landing heavily between them. His heart, which had been soaring moments before, stalled in his chest.
Maybe it’s a desk job, his bear said hopefully. One she can do remotely. Bear Creek is remote!
“Your dream job,” Christopher repeated, not sharing his bear’s optimism. The words tasted bitter on his tongue.
“Yes,” she replied, still not looking at him as they walked side by side. “It will mean a lot more traveling abroad. Which is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
The gap between them suddenly felt wider than the few inches separating their bodies. Christopher forced himself to respond, to say what a good friend would say. “Spread your wings further.”
“Yes,” Sorcha replied softly.
“I’m happy for you,” Christopher said, the words sounding hollow even to his own ears as he forced himself to sound happy. She deserved this opportunity. She deserved everything she wanted.
Sorcha hesitated mid-step and turned to search his face. “Thanks,” she said, her eyes questioning, as if she’d caught the false note in his voice.
An awkward silence fell between them. They continued walking, both lost in thought. The trail curved around a massive boulder, revealing a small clearing where a fallen log provided a natural bench overlooking the valley.
I can’t tell her, Christopher told his bear firmly. I don’t want to influence her choice.
But we would go with her wherever she goes, his bear argued. We could travel. See the world together.
Christopher shook his head slightly. Telling Sorcha they were mates would put pressure on her. He wanted her to choose them, to ask them to be part of her life, of her own free will.
“Should we rest here for a moment?” he asked, gesturing to the log. The view was spectacular. The valley spread out below them like a painting, with the town of Bear Creek visible in the distance as a collection of tiny buildings nestled against the mountainside.
“Perfect,” Sorcha said, sitting down and pulling out her camera again.
Christopher settled beside her, careful to leave space between them. He watched as she framed shots of the valley, her fingers nimble on the camera controls despite the cold. The wind picked up, bringing with it the scent of pine and snow. Sorcha shivered slightly.
“Here,” Christopher said, shrugging out of his outer jacket. “Put this on.”
“I couldn’t,” she protested. “You’ll freeze.”
Christopher smiled. “I run hot,” he said simply. It was true. His bear nature kept his body temperature higher than a normal human, especially in cold weather. “Please. I insist.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Sorcha accepted the jacket, slipping it over her own coat. The garment engulfed her smaller frame, and Christopher felt a surge of possessive satisfaction at seeing her wrapped in his clothing, surrounded by his scent.
“Thank you,” she said, snuggling into its warmth. “That’s much better.”
They sat in silence for a while, watching as the sun dipped lower toward the western mountains, painting the snow-covered landscape in shades of gold and amber.
Christopher wished he could freeze this moment.
Just the two of them, surrounded by the beauty of his home, sharing this perfect slice of time.
“It’s so peaceful here,” Sorcha murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Sometimes I forget what silence actually sounds like.”
Christopher nodded. “That’s what I love about it. The quiet. You can hear yourself think.”
“What do you think about?” she asked, turning to face him, her eyes curious. “When you’re alone in the silence?”
The question caught him off guard. He looked out over the valley, buying time. What could he tell her? That lately, all he thought about was her? That he’d been imagining a future with her since the moment they’d met?
“Life,” he said finally. “The choices we make. The paths we take.” He paused, gathering his courage. “The people we meet along the way.”
Sorcha was watching him intently now, something unreadable in her expression. “And are you happy with your choices? With the path you’ve taken?”
“Yes,” Christopher answered without hesitation. “Even the wrong turns led me here.” To you, he added silently.
She nodded slowly, looking back out at the view. “I used to be so certain about what I wanted,” she said, her voice soft. “Travel, adventure, new experiences. Always moving forward, never looking back.”
“And now?” Christopher asked, barely breathing.
Sorcha sighed, a small puff of white in the cold air. “Now I’m not so sure.” She pulled his jacket tighter around her shoulders. “This place…it gets under your skin.”
Hope flickered in Christopher’s chest, fragile as a candle flame in the wind. He wanted to fan it, to nurture it into something stronger, but fear held him back. What if he was reading too much into her words? What if he was seeing what he wanted to see?
“We should head back,” he said reluctantly, noting the deepening shadows as the sun sank lower. “It gets dark quickly this time of year.”
Sorcha nodded, rising from the log. As they turned back toward the trail, her foot caught on a hidden root beneath the snow. She stumbled forward with a small cry of surprise.
Christopher moved without thinking, catching her against his chest before she could fall. His arms went around her instinctively, steadying her. For a heartbeat, they stood frozen, bodies pressed together, her face tilted up to his, her lips parted in surprise.
Time seemed to stop. Christopher could feel her heart racing against his chest, could smell the sweet scent of her hair mingled with the icy mountain air. His bear surged forward, urging him to close the distance between them, to claim what was his.
But before he could move, Sorcha pulled back, cheeks flushed. “Sorry,” she murmured, straightening her camera strap. “Clumsy of me.”
“It’s okay,” Christopher said, his voice rougher than he intended. “The trail can be treacherous.”
They walked back in silence, the moment—whatever it had been—passed. As they neared the truck, the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains, plunging the forest into the blue twilight of early evening.
Christopher opened the passenger door for her, then circled around to the driver’s side. Inside the truck, with the doors closed against the growing cold, the air between them felt charged, intimate.
“Thank you for today,” Sorcha said as he started the engine. “For the pizza, for this hike. For showing me your world.”
My world, Christopher thought. Could it be hers, too? He wanted to ask her to stay, to tell her how he felt, to explain about mates and the bond they shared. But the memory of her words made him stall.
She had a dream job dangling in front of her, a life on the road she’d built for herself piece by piece. Who was he to ask her to trade that in for one small town and one stubborn bear?
But his resolve was slipping with each moment he spent with her.
And one day soon it would break.