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 on helping, 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, the second ever since he’d met his mate.
His mind once more drifted to Sarah and Emmy, imagining them gathered in Pat’s living room, eyes bright with excitement as they opened presents on Christmas morning. How he longed to be a part of that scene. A part of their lives.
His bear sighed dreamily inside him. It will come true one day. And if you hurry up and tell Sarah that we are mates, it could be one day soon.
Michael chuckled under his breath as he waved to the departing family. Okay, I get the hint.
He turned to help the next customer when something prickled at the back of his neck. A frisson of excitement threaded through his veins, his senses suddenly heightening. Sarah.
The trees seemed to whisper her name as the icy breeze swept down from distant mountain peaks.
She was close, getting closer by the second. Michael froze, his body instinctively turning toward the direction of the approaching car, still hidden by the curve in the road.
It was as if he were transfixed. Frozen in place. Waiting for the woman who was as much a part of him as the tree farm he called home.
Are you sure you don’t want to look busy? his bear asked. I mean, she might think it’s strange if you’re simply standing here waiting for her.
Michael jolted into action, darting to the nearest tree and pretending to adjust its branches, fluffing the needles with exaggerated care.
Subtle, his bear said dryly.
But there was nothing subtle about the way his heart hammered in his chest as Sarah’s car appeared on the track, sunlight glinting off the windshield. Michael straightened, trying to look naturally surprised as she pulled to a stop nearby.
Don’t give up your day job! His bear laughed, filled with as much joy as a child on Christmas morning.
Michael ignored the teasing as he sauntered over to Sarah’s car, opening the door before she could reach for the handle.
“Hi,” she said, looking up at him with those eyes that made his chest tighten.
“Hi,” Michael managed, suddenly tongue-tied. The memory of their moonlit walk last night flashed through his mind. The stars overhead, the snow crunching beneath their boots, the way she’d looked in the silver light as snowflakes caught in her eyelashes, how close they’d come to...
“If you’re not too busy, I brought these new proofs to show you,” Sarah said, grabbing her tablet from the passenger seat.
“Great,” Michael replied, though disappointment flickered through him. Part of him had hoped she’d come just to see him, that this was pleasure, not business. “Shall we go to the office? I’ll pour us a coffee, and then I’ll take a look.”
“Great,” Sarah replied, smiling at him in a way that definitely didn’t say business, but hinted at her pleasure in seeing him.
He smiled back…
No, you are grinning like a lovesick fool, his bear said.
I am lovesick, Michael said.
He stepped back as she got out of the car, catching the faint scent of cinnamon and vanilla that clung to her coat, making his mouth water.
For a moment they stood still, frozen in place against the winter wonderland that was North Peak Pines.
Snow dusted the branches of the evergreens, red ribbons tied to wooden posts fluttered in the breeze, and green holly wreaths adorned with berries and pinecones hung from display hooks for customers to purchase.
The scent of pine filled the air, mingling with wood smoke from the fire pit where children roasted marshmallows while their parents selected trees.
Wordlessly, they turned and walked side by side along the trail toward his office, the memory of being stranded there with her during the snowstorm vivid in his mind.
How he wished to be stranded there again, maybe overnight, where they would have to sleep side by side, snuggled together for warmth.
How cozy they would be.
Sarah stopped suddenly, taking in the scene with wide eyes.
Michael stopped, too, but he wasn’t looking at his farm.
He was looking at her. At the way the cold air brought color to her cheeks, how her dark hair peeked out from beneath her beanie, the smile that curved her lips as she absorbed the Christmas scene before them.
His bear rumbled contentedly inside him. Yes, this is where she belongs. Right by our side.
Michael cleared his throat, realizing he’d been staring. “The wreaths are new this year,” he said, gesturing to the display. “Local florist makes them with materials from the farm. They’ve been quite popular.”
“They’re gorgeous,” Sarah replied, stepping closer to examine one. “The berries really pop against the dark leaves. I love how you’ve incorporated so many natural elements.”
“That’s the goal,” Michael said, leading her toward the office again. “There’s nothing like the smell of fresh pine, the red of real holly berries, and the feel of a pinecone in your hand. Things you can touch and smell.”
Michael watched her trace a finger along the glossy leaves and wished she were trailing her fingers down his chest. His bear urged him to reach for her hand, to pull her close and confess everything.
How she was his mate, how he’d known it from the first moment he’d caught her scent, how everything in his world had realigned around her from that moment.
Instead, he cleared his throat. “Let’s grab that coffee from the office. I put a fresh pot on not long ago. Or I could make tea if you prefer.”
“Coffee sounds perfect,” Sarah said, turning back to him with a smile that warmed him more thoroughly than any hot drink could.
They continued along the path, their boots crunching in perfect rhythm through the snow. They’d fallen into step so naturally, as if they’d walked this path together a thousand times before. Ahead, his small office cabin beckoned with the promise of warmth…and privacy.
“Michael! Hey, Michael!”
The shout shattered the perfect moment. Michael turned to see Tom Henderson waving enthusiastically from between two rows of trees, his wife and teenage daughters standing beside a particularly full blue spruce.
“What do you think of this one?” Tom called out. “The girls are divided, and I need an expert opinion!”
Michael glanced at Sarah apologetically. “Regular customer,” he explained. “I should probably help.”
“Go ahead,” she said with an understanding smile. “I can wait.”
Michael took a reluctant step toward Tom, then half-turned back to Sarah. “Why don’t you come, too? Get some hands-on experience?”
Sarah’s face lit up with a smile that made his heart skip. “I’d love to.”
As they approached, Tom’s face broke into a wide grin. “Thanks so much.”
“You’re welcome. Sarah, this is Tom Henderson and his family,” Michael introduced them. “Tom, this is Sarah Carter. She’s designing some new promotional materials for me.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tom said, shaking Sarah’s hand before gesturing dramatically at the blue spruce. “Now, please tell my daughters that this tree is too big for our living room. I’ve been outvoted three to one.”
Michael circled the tree, assessing it with a practiced eye. “It’s about eight feet,” he said, measuring with his gaze. “What’s your ceiling height?”
“Eight and a half,” Tom’s wife supplied.
Michael nodded, running his hand along a branch to test its flexibility. “The trunk is straight, which is good. Strong branches that will hold ornaments well.” He looked at Tom. “How much space do you have around it?”
As Tom described their living room layout, Michael noticed Sarah examining the tree from different angles, her designer’s eye evaluating its shape and symmetry.
“What do you think?” he asked her.