For several minutes, they sat in silence, watching the play of light and shadow across the distant peaks. Christopher could feel the warmth of her through their layers of clothing, could smell the subtle scent of her shampoo when he turned his head.
This moment, he realized, was what he’d been waiting for without knowing it. This peaceful connection, this shared wonder at the beauty of his home. For the first time, he allowed himself to truly hope that she might see what he saw in this place. That she might stay.
“We should probably head back,” he said eventually, though every fiber of his being wanted to spend as much time alone with her as possible.
Keep going,his bear urged, suddenly restless.Find a cave. Make a den for our mate.
Christopher pushed the primitive instinct aside with effort. They had time. He couldn’t rush this.
“Must we?” Sorcha asked, lifting her head from his shoulder but staying close. “It feels like we’ve discovered a secret world up here.”
The longing in her voice echoed his own. “We can come back,” he promised, the words carrying more weight than she could possibly understand. “Anytime you want.”
She smiled up at him. “I’ll hold you to that.”
As he turned the sleigh around for the journey back, Christopher couldn’t help casting one last glance at the mountains beyond. Somewhere up there were caves where bears had denned for generations. His bear sighed with longing, already imagining bringing Sorcha to such a place, keeping her safe and warm through the winter months.
Soon,he promised his other half.But first, we have to convince her that staying is better than leaving.
The return journey seemed to pass in a heartbeat, the sleigh gliding swiftly back through the forest. Sorcha remained pressed against his side, occasionally pointing out wildlife or asking questions about the sanctuary. Each time she spoke, Christopher found himself drawn deeper under her spell, captivated by her genuine interest in his world.
As they approached the gate that would take them back to the sanctuary grounds, Sorcha placed her hand on his arm.
“Thank you for this,” she said, her eyes serious. “I’ve traveled all over the world, but I’ve never experienced anything quite like today.”
Christopher’s heart swelled at her words. “That’s Bear Creek for you,” he said, trying to keep his voice casual despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm him. “Always full of surprises.”
“I don’t think it’s just the place,” she replied softly, holding his gaze for a moment longer before looking away. “Sometimes it’s the guide.”
His bear roared loudly at her words, recognizing the admission for what it was. A first step toward acknowledging what was growing between them. Christopher guided the sleigh through the gate, a new determination settling in his bones. He would show Sorcha that there was a place for her here, that the life she’d been seeking might be found in the very kind of town she’d once fled.
And if not—his bear growled at the thought—then perhaps he would have to find a way to follow wherever her journeys took her. Because one thing was becoming increasingly clear: aftermeeting Sorcha O’Neill, going back to his solitary existence was impossible.
Chapter Six – Sorcha
What a day! Sorcha could not recall the last time she’d had so much fun on an assignment.
Or when she’d had such wonderful company.
She glanced sideways at Christopher as they made their way back to the sanctuary entrance. Something about this day felt different from any assignment she’d ever worked on. The way he’d shown her his world, the mountains, and forests that he clearly loved, had stirred something in her that felt dangerously like longing.
“I should get some more pictures of the sanctuary entrance for the article,” she said, forcing her mind back to work mode. Her editor would expect plenty of visual content.
Christopher nodded, pulling the sleigh to a gentle stop near the main building. “Take all the time you need.”
After capturing several shots of the rustic sign and the snow-covered grounds, they said their goodbyes to Bob and headed back to the truck. The winter afternoon was already fading into early evening, the sky taking on that particular pearly glow that came before a winter sunset in the mountains.
As they drove away from the sanctuary, the gentle rocking of the truck, combined with the warmth of the heater and the emotional day, made her eyelids feel heavy. She stifled a yawn behind her hand.
Outside the windows, the winter landscape stretched out like something from a painting or a holiday card. Snow-dusted pines lined the winding road, their branches weighted with crystallinewhite. The mountains rose majestically in the distance, their peaks tinged pink with the approaching sunset.
Sorcha tried to think of something clever to say, but her usually quick mind felt sluggish with contentment. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but it felt significant, as if they were both processing the day’s events in their own ways.
She glanced at Christopher’s profile. His jaw was set, eyes focused on the road, but there was tension around his mouth that hadn’t been there earlier. Was he simply tired? She suddenly remembered he’d worked the night shift before spending the entire day with her.
“Thanks for today,” Sorcha said as they drove along the back roads toward the cabins.
Christopher turned to her briefly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s been my pleasure.”
