Bob looked up from the desk, his weathered face breaking into a smile as he recognized Christopher. He rose, adjusting his thick-framed glasses.
“Christopher! Good to see you,” Bob called, coming around to shake his hand. His gaze shifted curiously to Sorcha.
“Bob, this is Sorcha O’Neill,” Christopher said, stepping aside to make the introduction. “She’s visiting Bear Creek.”
Sorcha stepped forward with professional confidence in her posture. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m writing an article about seasonal attractions in Bear Creek, and would it be okay if I include the sanctuary, and particularly the reindeer feeding?”
Bob’s face lit up, his smile widening to reveal slightly crooked teeth. “We would be honored,” he said, glancing between them. Then his gaze settled on Christopher, a knowing look in his eyes that made Christopher’s neck warm. “We could also arrange a sleigh ride, if Christopher would like to drive.”
Sorcha turned to Christopher, her eyebrows raised in surprise. “Sleigh driving is one of your many talents?”
Christopher ducked his head, suddenly finding the floor fascinating. “I might have driven a sleigh or two.”
Bob chuckled, clapping a hand on Christopher’s shoulder. “Christopher is being modest. He’s stood in for Santa’s sleigh driver once or twice in the town square.”
“You didn’t say,” Sorcha chastised him teasingly.
Christopher shrugged, not sure how to respond to the admiration in her gaze. His bear preened under her attention, urging him to show off more skills that might impress her. Such as shifting.
“Go and start the tour, feed the reindeer, and I’ll have the sleigh ready for when you’re done,” Bob said, already reaching for a set of keys hanging on the wall.
“Thanks, Bob,” Sorcha said. “Is it okay if I take photos?”
“As many as you like,” Bob replied, winking at Christopher as they turned to leave the office.
Christopher nodded and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Bob replied by silently mouthing back, “You are welcome.”
As they stepped outside, Christopher felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. He hadn’t driven a sleigh in years, and now he would be doing it with his mate beside him. His bear rumbled with satisfaction at the thought.
“So, sleigh driver,” Sorcha said, bumping her shoulder against his as they walked toward the reindeer enclosure. “Any other hidden talents I should know about?”
The playful contact sent warmth cascading through him. “A few,” he admitted, allowing himself a small smile. “But where’s the fun in revealing everything at once?”
She laughed, the sound carrying across the snow-covered grounds. “Fair enough. I do enjoy a good mystery. Especially the cozy kind. With cinnamon and happy endings.”
They approached the large paddock where the reindeer were kept. Several of the animals moved toward the fence, their breath forming clouds in the cold air, antlers branching impressively against the blue sky.
“They’re magnificent,” Sorcha breathed, already reaching for her camera.
Christopher watched her face as she took in the sight, captivated by the wonder in her expression. He could see her professional demeanor softening, the reporter giving way to the woman beneath. The one who had laughed with abandon while sledding, who had moaned with pleasure over pancakes and honey, who saw beauty in the world and wanted to share it.
His bear rumbled contentedly.This is what she needs. To see the joy in simple moments. In staying still.
“Ready to feed them?” he asked, reaching for the bucket of feed that hung on the fence post.
“Absolutely,” she replied, tucking her camera away and moving closer to him.
As he showed her how to hold her hand flat with the feed pellets, their fingers brushed. The contact sent that now-familiar electric current through him, and he wondered if she felt it too—this connection that seemed to strengthen with every passing hour.
A large reindeer approached, its dark eyes gentle as it extended its muzzle toward Sorcha’s outstretched hand. She held perfectly still as the animal’s lips tickled her palm, gathering the pellets with surprising delicacy.
“Oh!” she gasped softly, her face alight with childlike joy. “It’s so gentle.”
Christopher found himself smiling, his chest tight with emotion. This was what he wanted to show her, that there was magic in these quiet moments, these connections with places and creatures and people. That a life rooted in one spot could still be filled with wonder.
Behind them, he could hear the jingle of harness bells as Bob prepared the sleigh. Soon, he would take Sorcha on a ride through the sanctuary’s trails, just the two of them gliding through the snow-covered forest. His bear stirred with anticipation, eager for the chance to impress their mate, to show her another side of himself.
