Chapter Twenty-One – Michael
His mate was putting her trust in him.
So we can’t let her down, his bear said.
Never, Michael replied, but right now his head was spinning after that kiss.
And what a kiss it was. His lips still tingled from where Sarah’s had pressed against them, soft yet insistent. The best part was that she had leaned in first. That simple action proved what Michael had sensed all along—what he’d known deep in his bones—that she felt the mating bond, too.
Now came the hard part. It was time to show her his other side, to tell her the truth about their bond, and to promise her that he would never let her down the way Liam had.
Michael still couldn’t believe that the man had failed to show up for Emmy, leaving her disappointed and upset over the sleigh ride.
He took a deep breath, squashing down the simmering anger toward Liam. This wasn’t the time to think about anyone other than his mate.
Show her, his bear urged with growing impatience.
Not here, Michael replied silently, glancing around as a family with two young children approached the gazebo, their faces bright with wonder as they pointed at the mistletoe.
His gaze returned to Sarah, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright in the golden light. How he wished he could give her another child someday. Or two. Or three. Brothers or sisters for Emmy who would complete their family.
Not that their family wouldn’t be complete if Emmy remained their only child. Michael would love her, care for her, protect and support her as if she were his own flesh and blood. But Christmas with a small brood of children would be even more magical.
He looked down at Sarah, looked deep into her eyes, and smiled. “Not here.”
Sarah glanced around, understanding dawning on her face. “Where?”
Michael took her hand, warm and small in his, and they walked along the trail, leaving the gazebo and its mistletoe behind. “My place?”
Sarah took out her phone and glanced at it, her expression regretful. “I don’t have long before I have to get back for Emmy. Maybe another time?”
Michael smothered his disappointment, pushing it down beneath a smile. “Of course.”
But as they continued walking, it felt as if everything was slipping away. He didn’t know when he’d get another chance to be alone with Sarah. At least not for a while—the Christmas tree farm would consume most of his time for the next few weeks. Early starts, late finishes.
But we’ll figure it out, his bear said, though Michael could feel that his other half shared in the disappointment. The bear wanted to meet Sarah properly…in the flesh, or rather, in the fur.
Maybe Pat could look after Emmy for an evening, his bear suggested.
Good idea, Michael agreed, hope flickering back to life.
They passed by other scenes on the trail, bears, wolves, and other animals in snowy tableaux. The irony wasn’t lost on Michael. Here were artistic representations of the creatures that shared their world, while a real shifter walked among the humans, hiding in plain sight.
Sarah’s phone beeped. She took it out of her pocket and read the text.
“Okay?” he asked, trying not to hover.
“Yes, it’s Mom saying she’s having dinner with her friends and not to wait up.”
There goes that idea, his bear grumbled.
They reached the end of the light trail and entered the bustle of the marketplace.
The contrast was jarring. From the intimate, magical quiet of the path to the cheerful chaos of vendors and shoppers.
They headed back through the stalls, Sarah stopping occasionally to examine handcrafted gifts.
She purchased a wooden music box for Emmy and a knitted scarf for Pat.
As Sarah waited for the vendor to wrap the gifts, Michael found himself drawn to a stall selling silver jewelry.
His eyes caught on a delicate charm bracelet and various pendants.
But it was a small silver bear charm that truly captured his attention.
The craftsmanship was remarkable, depicting the bear sitting on its haunches, head tilted slightly as if listening, its eyes somehow conveying a gentle watchfulness.
Michael ran his fingers over the bracelet, imagining how it would look on Sarah’s wrist with the bear charm dangling from it. The silversmith noticed his interest and approached with a warm smile.
“That’s one of my favorite pieces,” she said. “You can add charms that tell your story together.”
And what a story we will write, his bear said.
“I’ll take the bracelet and the bear charm,” Michael said.
“For your mate?” the silversmith asked, glancing toward Sarah.
“Yeah, only she doesn’t know it yet,” Michael said with a sigh.
“Oh, I don’t know, the way she looks at you, I think she knows.” The silversmith turned away to wrap the gift.
See? Michael’s bear said triumphantly.
The vendor handed Michael the small velvet pouch with a knowing smile. “I hope she loves it.”
“Thank you,” Michael said, tucking the package carefully into his jacket pocket where it nestled against his heart.
Sarah appeared at his side, her purchases wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. She slipped her arm through his, the casual intimacy of the gesture making his bear purr with satisfaction.
“Did you see something you liked?” Sarah asked, leaning in close.
You! his bear roared.
“I did,” Michael replied. Maybe this wasn’t the right moment to reveal his true nature, but it could be the perfect opportunity to show her the man he was. If not the bear.
“They are all exquisite. But I’m afraid that if I bought Emmy something like this, she would lose it. But when she is older, I’d love to buy her a charm bracelet,” Sarah said as she admired the silver jewelry. “Ready to head back?”
“Whenever you are,” he replied, though the thought of taking her home, of their evening ending, made his chest ache. There was still so much he needed to tell her, to show her.
They walked arm-in-arm through the market, the twinkling lights reflecting in her eyes as she looked up at him. How was it possible that she’d come into his life so suddenly, yet already he couldn’t imagine a world without her in it?
When they reached the truck, they found it dusted with a light coating of fresh snow. Michael brushed off the windshield before opening the passenger door for Sarah. She climbed in, her eyes lingering on his lips.
How he wanted to kiss her. To hold her. To never let her go. It was the same primal urge he’d felt from the moment they’d met.
But Sarah had responsibilities and needed to get home for her daughter.
However, as he walked around to the driver’s side, his bear paced anxiously. Time is slipping away. Soon she’ll be home with Emmy, and this perfect moment—this perfect opportunity—will be lost.
There’ll be other perfect times and other perfect opportunities, Michael assured his bear as he slid behind the wheel.
He started the engine, the truck rumbling to life beneath them. The heater blew cold air for a moment before warming as he carefully navigated out of the parking area onto the road back toward Bear Creek.
They hadn’t driven more than a mile when Sarah’s phone chimed. She pulled it from her pocket, her brow furrowing slightly as she read the message. Her fingers tapped across the screen, composing a reply.
“Change of plans,” Sarah said suddenly, looking up from her phone with an expression he couldn’t quite read.
“Oh?” Michael raised an eyebrow, trying not to sound too hopeful.
“Emmy’s been invited to sleep over with Maisie.” Sarah’s voice was casual, but her eyes had darkened, holding his gaze with unmistakable intention. “So, for the next few hours, I’m all yours.” She paused, her voice dropping lower. “If you want me.”
Michael’s heart hammered against his ribs, so loud he was sure she would hear it. His bear, usually so vocal, fell utterly silent with anticipation.
“I do,” he said, a wide grin spreading across his face before he could control it.
Color rushed to Sarah’s cheeks. She ducked her head and turned to look out the window as they drove away from Wolf Valley, the cheery lights of the market receding in the rearview mirror.
Michael drove carefully, acutely aware of the precious cargo beside him. With each passing mile, the tension in the cab seemed to grow. As if they were both holding their breath, waiting for what came next.
His cabin at North Peak Pines was nestled among the trees, far enough from the main farm buildings to offer privacy but close enough to be convenient.
As they approached, the familiar silhouette appeared through the pines.
He hoped Sarah would find the rustic aesthetic welcoming, just as he always had.
If not, he would do whatever it took to make it the home of her dreams. Because she was the woman of his dreams.
He parked the truck and cut the engine, the sudden silence enveloping them. For a moment, neither moved.
“Here we are,” he said finally, his voice rougher than he’d intended.
“It’s so…” She glanced sideways at him. “You.”
He cracked a smile. “Is that a good thing?”
“Absolutely,” she said with no hint of teasing in her voice.
He opened his door and climbed out, quickly striding around to the passenger door and offering Sarah his hand. She took it without hesitation and slid out of the warm cab, shivering in the frigid air.
“I’ll get the fire lit inside,” Michael said. “It’ll soon warm up.”
If he’d known this was how their visit to the Wolf Valley Christmas market was going to end, he’d have banked the fire so that when they entered the cabin, it would be warm and cozy. But then, he’d never expected to be bringing Sarah here, not tonight.
Instead, the cabin was cold and dark. Michael flipped on the lights and moved immediately to the woodstove, kneeling to arrange kindling and logs.
The kindling caught quickly, flames licking at the larger logs. Michael added another piece of wood, watching as the fire grew stronger, casting a warm, golden glow throughout the living room. Heat began to radiate outward, chasing away the chill.
When he stood and turned, Sarah was there, so close he could feel her warmth, smell the faint scent of cinnamon that seemed to cling to her skin. Without a word, she stepped forward, threading her arms around his neck.
The kiss differed from the one they’d shared beneath the mistletoe—deeper, more urgent.
Her body pressed against his, her soft curves fitting perfectly against the hard planes of his chest. Her lips parted, inviting him deeper, and Michael found himself responding instinctively, his arms encircling her waist, pulling her closer still.
It would be so easy to lose himself in her. In the taste of her mouth, the softness of her skin, the small sounds of pleasure she made as his hands traced the curve of her spine. His bear urged him to take what was being offered so freely, to claim his mate fully.
But he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until she knew everything.
With more willpower than he thought he possessed, Michael broke the kiss, though he kept his arms around her, unwilling to let her go completely.
“What did you want to show me?” Sarah murmured, her lips still tantalizingly close to his, her eyes half-lidded and dark with desire.
This is it, his bear said. Time to be completely open and honest. No matter what.