Chapter Three – Michael
We’ve met our mate! We’ve met our mate! Michael’s head reverberated with the same sentence over and over again.
We have! We have! his bear said in reply.
For a long, long moment, all Michael could do was stare at her, as if he were afraid that if he took his eyes off her for one single moment, she might disappear and that meeting her might be a dream.
He wanted to go to her, reach out and touch his hand to her cheek, and reassure himself that she was real.
Oh, don’t do that, his bear said. You don’t want her to run before we’ve had a chance to explain everything.
So instead, Michael put on his best smile, hoping it didn’t look too desperate. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath before leading the trio toward the tree rows.
“This way,” Michael said, gesturing toward a neatly marked path. “We’ve got different sections organized by height and variety. The Wreath Barn is to your right if you want garlands later.”
“Oh, a wreath,” Emmy gushed. “I’ve always wanted a wreath.”
“Let’s focus on the tree first, shall we?” Sarah said as Emmy skipped by her side.
There was nothing better than a child filled with the joys of the season.
Except for our mate, his bear reminded Michael. As if he needed it.
Finally, finding his mate was the best feeling in the world!
He guided them down a clear row, his boots crunching in the snow as he tried to focus on being professional rather than on how his bear was practically dancing inside him. Sarah walked just behind him, her daughter’s mittened hand clasped firmly in hers, while Pat brought up the rear.
“See these markers?” Michael pointed to the small wooden sign at the end of each row. “Blue tags are for trees between six and seven feet. Green is seven to eight, and red is eight-plus.” A dusting of snow sat like sugar on the stake labels.
Sarah nodded, pulling out her phone. “We need to stay under seven and a half,” she said, checking something. “Mom’s living room has a vaulted ceiling, but there’s the light fixture to consider.”
Michael watched as she matched the ceiling height on her phone to the row tag, impressed by her thoroughness.
“Good thinking. Branch strength matters, too,” he explained, gently flexing one of the nearby branches.
“Some ornaments can be heavier than you expect. And trunk straightness affects how it sits in the stand.” He offered the branch to Emmy.
“See how it springs back? That’s a good sign. ”
“We have a lot of ornaments, so we need springy branches,” Emmy said as she skipped ahead, her boots sliding slightly on a slick patch.
Before Michael could move, Sarah was there, a gentle hand steadying her daughter with a practiced squeeze.
“Careful, sweet pea. Remember, there is ice under the snow.”
She is the perfect mom, Michael observed, a warmth like after he’d eaten one of Daniel’s hot-from-the-oven cookies spreading through his chest.
And the perfect mate, his bear hummed. How lucky we are!
The luckiest man alive, Michael replied. Because we didn’t just meet our mate. We met our new family.
Last night he’d wished for his mate. Fate had over-delivered by bringing him Sarah and Emmy.
And Pat, his bear added.
They continued down the row, Michael deliberately keeping his pace measured, his movements careful.
He pointed out features of different trees, watching as Sarah assessed each one with an artist’s eye.
She didn’t rush, taking time to walk around each potential candidate, trailing her fingers over the needles.
“See anything you like?” Michael asked, and then his cheeks flushed pink as he realized she might take his words the wrong way.
“I like them all,” Sarah replied easily. “But the final choice is Emmy’s. She’s been talking about getting a real tree for weeks.”
“Fake trees can’t transport you to the middle of a pine forest when the room warms up,” Michael said. “You can’t beat the real thing.”
Like real love. And real mates… his bear’s voice trailed off as he daydreamed about their new life with their new mate.
“We’ve never had a real tree before,” Sarah said. “So when I told Emmy we were moving to Bear Creek to live with her grandma for a while, she made it part of the deal.”
She’s moved in with Pat, his bear said. This is a new start for them.
But why? Michael asked, wishing he could ask her. He longed to know everything about his mate and her life. The way her eyes sparkled hinted at a hidden sorrow. One he wanted to share, to help her heal.
But that would come later.
“There’s no better place than Bear Creek at Christmas.
The town has lots of traditions,” Michael said as he gave her a chance to regain her composure.
“There’s the Solstice Star Walk that starts at the fire pits down at Bear Creek Cabins.
The choir sings by lantern. There’s the Twinkling Trail, which is a walk through the forest over by Bear Creek Nature Sanctuary, where the trees are strung with twinkling lights that tell a Christmas story.
And then there is the Christmas market over in Wolf Valley… ”
He hesitated, aware he was talking too much. But when he glanced at Sarah, she didn’t seem to mind.
“I’m sure we’re going to be doing all the things,” Sarah said with a laugh as she watched Emmy and Pat walking hand in hand as they assessed the merits of various trees.
“Well, if you need a tour guide…” Michael said, but Emmy cut in before Sarah could answer.
“I want that one!” Emmy suddenly declared, pointing dramatically at a massive spruce that had to be at least nine feet tall. “The biggest tree alive! So it has to be the best!”
Michael chuckled, dropping to one knee in front of her. “That’s a beauty, for sure. But we need to think about two kinds of big. Big for the room and big for the car. A tree that’s too tall for the ceiling won’t be much fun, and one that’s too wide might not fit through the door.”
“But I want the best,” Emmy said, her voice cracking.
“Biggest does not always mean the best,” Michael explained. “The best tree for you is one that is the perfect fit.” He looked up at Sarah, deliberately deferring to her. “What do you think would work best for your space?”
Sarah considered the tree Emmy had chosen, then a slightly smaller one nearby. “How about this one, Emmy? It’s plenty big enough, and look at these branches.”
“Springy,” Emmy said as she hurried over to the tree and touched its branches.
“It’s a splendid tree,” Michael said in his best professional tree farmer voice. “It has good branch spacing. The needles will hold well, and the branches won’t droop even with heavier ornaments. The trunk diameter should fit a standard stand with no issues.”
“We do not want droopy branches,” Emmy said, matching his tone.
“I love it. We could trim a bit from the base,” Sarah said. “It’ll stand in the corner by the bay window, so it can be fuller on one side.” She described the placement with her hands, creating the shape of the room in the air.
He realized he was staring and cleared his throat. “This one it is, then.”
Emmy cheered, dancing around the chosen tree while Pat laughed, watching her granddaughter’s excitement.
Michael stepped forward, brushing snow from the top branch to get a better look at the crown. Sarah moved closer, too, reaching up to touch a needle tuft just as his hand withdrew.
“Thank you,” she murmured, their fingers almost touching. “For helping us find the perfect one.”
The moment stretched between them, fragile and new, until the sound of approaching voices broke the spell.
“Michael! Fancy meeting you here!” Daniel called, trudging up the path with Maisie and Teddy in tow. The children’s cheeks were flushed with cold and excitement, their wool hats dusted with fresh snow.
“Daniel,” Michael greeted, stepping back from Sarah with reluctance. “Out tree hunting, too?”
“These two wouldn’t let me hear the end of it if we waited another day,” Daniel said, ruffling Teddy’s hair. “Hi, Pat.”
“Morning, Daniel. Let me introduce you to my daughter, Sarah, and her daughter, Emmy,” Pat said, gesturing toward them with obvious pride. “Sarah, this is Daniel Brooks. He runs the bakery in town and makes the best cinnamon rolls you’ll ever taste.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sarah said, extending her hand with a warm smile that made something twist in Michael’s chest.
Daniel shook her hand. “Welcome to Bear Creek. These are my kids, Maisie and Teddy.”
Maisie stepped forward, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Emmy. “Hi! Are you choosing a tree, too? We get ours from Michael every year. It’s a tradition, isn’t it, Dad?”
Emmy nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! And it’s going to be the best tree ever! Do you have special ornaments? I have a ballerina that spins around and around.”
Maisie beamed. “I’m a snowflake girl. You know, like the glass ones that catch the lights and make rainbows on the ceiling.”
Teddy puffed up. “I’ve got a rocket ship that lights up!”
Maisie rolled her eyes. “He hangs it on the tree every year and then takes it off again and flies it around the room.”
“That’s what rocket ships are for,” Teddy told his sister. Then he switched his attention to Emmy. “Want to see the tree we picked? It’s just over there!”
“Sure,” Emmy said.
As they walked away, the two girls immediately launched into animated chatter about ornaments and decorations as they moved toward the chosen tree, while Teddy skidded on the icy path as he tagged along behind them.
“Careful on the ice, kids!” Daniel called after them, then turned back to Sarah. “So, you’re new in town? How are you finding Bear Creek so far?”
Michael watched as Sarah smiled and began chatting easily with Daniel.
His bear rumbled with an unexpected possessiveness that caught him off guard. Mine, he growled. Our mate.
The primal urge to step between them, to somehow mark Sarah as his, rose like a wave. Michael clenched his jaw, fighting the ridiculous impulse. Daniel was his best friend, for heaven’s sake. And Sarah…well, she wasn’t even aware of what she was to him yet.
But she’s ours, his bear insisted, but Michael breathed deeply, letting the jealousy dissolve into the cold air.
You know Daniel will be thrilled for us when he learns the truth, Michael told his bear. All our friends will be. Just as we would be happy for them.
The bear ducked his head, a little ashamed and embarrassed at the outburst.
“It’s beautiful here,” Sarah was saying. “I’d forgotten how peaceful it is compared to the city.”
Daniel nodded. “What brought you back to Bear Creek? Job opportunity?”
Michael saw Sarah duck her head slightly, her fingers twisting the edge of her scarf. “Actually, I’m recently divorced,” she said quietly. “Emmy and I moved in with Mom for a fresh start.”
Michael’s heart squeezed at the hint of vulnerability in her voice.
His bear perked up. She’s free.
Thank goodness, Michael said. Even though he had noticed Sarah was not wearing a wedding ring, they had not taken it for granted that she wasn’t romantically attached to Emmy’s father.
Daniel glanced quickly at Michael, something knowing flickering in his eyes. Michael felt suddenly tongue-tied under his friend’s scrutiny. Did Daniel suspect something already?
“Bear Creek’s perfect for fresh starts,” Daniel said, turning back to Sarah. “Especially at Christmas.”
Pat, who had been watching the children, rejoined the conversation. “Daniel’s not just a baker, he’s an artist with flour and sugar. His holiday display windows are always the talk of the town.”
“Speaking of artists,” Pat continued, “if you ever need any posters or design work, Sarah’s your person. She’s a graphic designer. An excellent one, even if I do say so myself.”
“Mom,” Sarah hissed, color rising in her cheeks.
Daniel laughed. “It’s a parent’s prerogative to be proud of their kids.” He turned to Michael with a glint in his eye. “Hey, Michael, didn’t you mention needing new promotional materials for North Peak Pines? Flyers, website updates, that sort of thing?”
Michael blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I do?”
His bear gave him a mental prod so hard he almost winced. Wake up! This is our chance!
Michael’s lips curved into a sheepish grin as understanding dawned.
“Yes. Yes, I do, actually. The website hasn’t been updated in years, and we could use some flyers and new signage around the property.
” He looked directly at Sarah, warmth spreading through him.
“Would you be interested in discussing it sometime?”
Sarah’s smile sent a jolt through him. “I’d like that,” she said. “I’ve been looking for local projects to showcase my work.”
“Great! That’s...great,” Michael said, aware he was repeating himself but unable to stop.
Because when his mate was close by, she consumed his thoughts. It was a feeling he never wanted to lose.