Chapter Twelve – James
“You chopped this tree down?” Jake asked in awe as he stood at the foot of the immense tree in the town square. “With an axe!”
“I did. But I didn’t do it alone,” James said as he stared up at the star on the top. “It’s a Christmas tradition, me, Christopher, and Daniel head over to Michael’s tree farm, and we choose a tree, fell it, and bring it here to the town square.”
A cold breeze drifted through the square, stirring the tinsel, and for a moment, James felt the quiet weight of every Christmas that had come before—every year he’d stood beneath this tree wondering when his life would finally change.
And now it has, his bear said.
“That is so cool.” Jake looked down at his dog. “Isn’t that so cool, Bash?”
Bash wagged his tail and sniffed the lower branches of the tree.
“It’s beautifully decorated,” Doreen said as she stepped back to get a better look at the tree.
“It’s a town tradition,” James said. “Some of the ornaments are older than I am.”
Jake frowned as he glanced at James. “That’s old!”
“Jake,” Doreen said, with a warning tone in her voice.
But James chuckled, “Yes, that is old.”
“Can we make a wish now?” Jake asked.
“Sure,” James said, “this way.” They headed over to a gazebo where there was a table with a donation box, alongside stars people could write their wishes on. James dug in his pocket for his wallet and pulled out a note.
However, Doreen beat him to it and slipped some money into the donation box. “I have it covered.”
James looked down at the note in his hand and then glanced sideways at her. Had he offended her?
Doreen locked eyes with him, and she must have read something there because she said, “After all you’ve done for us, I owe you a wish.”
James cracked a smile. “What if I tell you my wish has already come true?”
She swallowed hard and opened her mouth to speak, but then Jake said, “I’ve written my wish.”
“Already?” Doreen asked.
“Yes, Bash and I gave it a lot of thought on the way here.” Jake dangled his star from his finger.
“You did?” Doreen asked. “I’m impressed.”
“Yeah, we want Mom and Dad to be there at the dog show to see us win our rosette,” Jake explained.
Doreen clenched her jaw and looked at James. All he could do was offer a smile and his silent support as she kneeled down to Jake’s level, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder.
“That’s a wonderful wish, sweetheart,” she said gently. “And I know your parents would love to be there… if they can.”
“They will be,” Jake said with the confidence of a child. “Can we go hang it on the tree?” Before Doreen had a chance to answer, he shot back to the tree, with Bash at his heel.
“Are you okay?” James asked.
“Yeah,” Doreen said, but a shadow flickered through her eyes. Worry, hope? Whatever it was, she was trying very hard to keep it carefully under control.
She doesn’t look okay, his bear said.
No, she does not, James replied.
So do something, his bear demanded.
“Doreen?” James reached out and touched her arm.
Doreen looked up at him. “I’m just afraid Jake’s mom and dad will not be able to get here for the dog show, and Jake will be disappointed that his wish didn’t come true.”
James nodded as he watched Jake hang his wish. “Well, if it doesn’t happen this year, there’s always next year.”
Doreen cracked a smile. “You’re right. There’s always next year.”
“Deputy Pike!” Jake called, waving them over. “Come see where I put it!”
“We’ve been summoned.” James offered his arm to Doreen, who took it after only a moment’s hesitation.
The moment her fingers curled lightly around his sleeve, heat slid through him in a slow, sure wave, the kind that made his bear settle down with a pleased rumble.
Doreen tucked her wish-star in her pocket as they walked together toward the tree, where Jake was pointing proudly at his star, now nestled among hundreds of others.
His excitement radiated outward, bright and uncomplicated.
For a fleeting second, James could imagine a Christmas morning with kids of his own, their faces filled with excitement as they opened gifts tucked under the tree.
“I put it right next to a snowman ornament,” Jake explained. “Because Bash loves snow, and Mom loves snowmen.”
“It’s perfect,” James said, giving Jake’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.
The tree towered above them, its branches heavy with ornaments that sparkled in the winter light. Tinsel caught the breeze, dancing like silver rain against the deep green needles.
“What did you wish for?” Jake asked, looking up at James with curious eyes. “The one that came true.”
James smiled. “Well, wishes are supposed to be secret.”
“But since yours already came true,” Jake reminded him. “So it’s not a secret anymore.”
“He’s got you there,” Doreen said, her dimple appearing as she smiled.
What am I supposed to say? James asked his bear. I can’t tell her I wished for her… And I don’t want to lie.
Tell her the truth, his bear said. That you wished for happiness.
I did, James agreed.
And, happiness is called Doreen, his bear swooned.
“My wish was simple,” James replied. “I wished for what most people wish for. To be happy. And for those around me to find happiness too.”
He glanced at Doreen, and she turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face as if trying to read the words he hadn’t said.
Did she know she was his happiness? The thing he’d wished for above all else.
“What about you, Aunt D?” Jake asked, breaking the spell. “What’s your wish?”
Doreen cleared her throat. “I’m still thinking about it,” she said, her hand unconsciously touching the star in her pocket. “These things can’t be rushed.”
“Well, don’t take too long,” Jake advised seriously. “Christmas is getting closer every day.”
A group of carolers gathered near the gazebo, their voices rising in harmony as they began to sing “O Christmas Tree.” The sound floated across the square, drawing smiles from passersby.
“Want to stay and listen?” James asked.
Doreen nodded, her eyes bright. “I’d love that.”
They strolled closer to the carolers, side by side, while Jake and Bash circled around and around the tree.
The kid sure has some energy, James said to his bear.
And one day he’ll be running around that tree with his cousin or cousins, his bear said with utter confidence.
James sighed. That would truly complete our happiness.
It sure would, his bear settled down, his head resting on his paws, content to enjoy the moment.
“Thank you for this,” Doreen said, leaning in so he could hear her above the carolers. “For bringing us here. For everything.”
James looked down at her, still afraid he might be dreaming. “My pleasure,” he murmured, meaning it more than she could possibly know.
His bear hummed contentedly inside him. This is right. This is where we belong.
As the song ended and another began, James allowed himself to imagine a future where moments like this weren’t rare gifts but daily treasures. Where Doreen’s smile was the first thing he saw each morning and the last thing he saw each night.
“How about we go get some hot chocolate and something to eat?” he asked as Doreen turned away from the carolers to look for Jake and Bash.
“That sounds perfect,” she said. “Not that my nephew needs a sugar refuel. I’d love to have his energy.”
James turned to her with a warm grin, his slate-blue eyes catching the light as they lingered a beat too long. “Energy like that? We could bottle it and sell it at the festival.”
“We would make a fortune,” she said.
“Shall we?” He offered her his arm, and for a heartbeat, he was scared she wouldn’t take it.
Then she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and there was that intense moment of connection. A spark, a warmth, a belonging.
She looked up at him, searching for an answer he longed to give. Then her brow furrowed, and she looked away.
But her hand on his arm tightened as if she had no intention of ever letting go.
She’s ready, his bear murmured with quiet certainty.
I think you’re right, James replied, a rush of searing happiness flooding through him. He’d played it slow, steady, giving her space to breathe, and now it was paying off. At last.
“Hey, remember we have to make a fancy dress costume for Bash?” Jake called out, breaking into a run toward them, his boots crunching through the thin layer of snow. “I can’t wait for Mom and Dad to see him dressed as a bear!”
Oh, so we’re still going with that, are we? his bear rumbled, amusement lacing the words.
It’ll be fine, James assured him. By the time it’s the festival’s dog show, we’ll have revealed everything to Doreen. She’ll have accepted it, fallen in love with me...
And me, his bear interjected smugly.
And we’ll be living happily ever after, James said with a flourish.
His bear snorted, a deep, rumbling sound in his mind. Who are you, and what have you done with the real James?
Hilarious, James shot back, though he couldn’t suppress a faint smile.
“We’ll figure out the costume,” Doreen told Jake, ruffling his hair as he skidded to a stop beside them. “But first, we’re going to go and get some hot chocolate.”
“My favorite!” Jake announced, pumping his fist in the air. “And something to eat.” He sucked in a deep breath, nose wrinkling with delight. “I can smell gingerbread.”
They headed over to the nearby stall, where the air was thick with the spicy-sweet aroma of fresh-baked treats and steaming cocoa, mingled with the crisp bite of winter pine.
Strings of twinkling lights draped the wooden booth, casting a cozy glow over trays of gingerbread men, frosted cookies, and a mountain of marshmallows.
James stepped up to the counter first, pulling out his wallet. “Three hot chocolates and three of those gingerbread cookies, please.” He glanced at Doreen with an insistent nod. “My treat.”
She hesitated for just a second, then smiled without arguing, the simple acceptance warming him more than the steam rising from the mugs.
As they turned away, paper cups in hand and the warm, crumbly gingerbread wrapped in napkins, Jake’s eyes lit up at a colorful poster tacked to a nearby lamppost. “A Night of Christmas Tales,” he read aloud, pointing excitedly. “Can we go?”
Doreen leaned in to scan the sign, her shoulder brushing James’s arm. “It’s tonight. I guess we could come back into town.”
“Yes!” Jake bounced on his toes. “Can you come too?” he asked, turning to James with wide, hopeful eyes.
This is it, his bear growled triumphantly. After the event, we can tell Doreen everything. It’ll be perfect.
James reread the notice, noting the time and details. “I’m on duty, but my shift ends around then.”
“You don’t have to come,” Doreen said quickly, though when he looked at her, he caught the flicker of disappointment in her eyes, and it made his heart soar.
“I want to,” he replied, his voice low and sincere. Oh, how he wanted to!
“If you’re sure,” she murmured, looking up at him through her lashes.
“Of course he’s sure,” Jake chimed in, taking a massive bite of his gingerbread, crumbs tumbling down his coat.
“I’ll be here,” James assured her. “I promise.” He held her gaze, wanting her to know he meant it. Every word, even those left unsaid.