He could stare at her all day. He loved the way her eyes lit up as she took another bite of Louis’s famous Forest Forager pizza. A smudge of sauce clung to the corner of her mouth, and his fingers itched to reach across and wipe it away. Instead, he gripped his napkin tighter, fighting the urge.
“This is incredible,” she said, gesturing with her half-eaten slice. “Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
“My pleasure,” he said, treasuring each moment with her as if it were his last.
It’s not,his bear assured him.
But Christopher knew it was going to take more than pizza in the forest to make Sorcha stay. He also knew that he would find a way. He just needed to find the right words. The right actions.
As they savored the last of their pizza in companionable silence, Louis brought over two steaming cups of coffee, the rich aroma mingling with the scent of wood smoke from the oven and the crisp tang of snow in the air.
“On the house,” Louis said as he set the coffee down on the table.
“Thanks,” Sorcha said. “But if this is your way of trying to influence my feature on your pizza shack, you didn’t have to. It’s a ten out of ten from me. Although the ambiance you have created here makes it almost like the kind of secret I’m reluctant to share.”
“Ah, no bribe necessary. I believe the pizza always speaks for itself,” Louis said. “The coffee is just my way of saying thank you for offering to feature us. I’m very proud of what we have created here.”
“You should be. It’s amazing and unique,” Sorcha said as she picked up her coffee cup and raised it to him as if in a toast.
“You’ll make me blush,” Louis said with a wink and then headed back to the shack.
Christopher wrapped his hands around the warm mug, watching as Sorcha took a sip. The afternoon light filtered through the trees, catching in her auburn hair, turning the loose strands to copper fire.
Perfect.His bear sighed contentedly within him.
Absolutely,Christopher agreed.
“You know I was already beginning to fall in love with Bear Creek,” Sorcha said as she stared out into the forest. “But this…”
“There’s more to see,” Christopher said.
And more to love,his bear added.
“Okay, let’s see what’s next.” Sorcha’s eyes lit up as she flipped open her notepad, scanning the pages with her finger. “There’s a trail through the forest I wanted to hike. Do you know it?” Her smile grew wider as she pulled out a map that was tucked into the back of the notepad and spread it out on the table. “I alwayslike to include something people can do that’s not commercial. Natural experiences that cost nothing but time.”
“That’s a great idea,” Christopher said eagerly. This was why Sorcha was so good at what she did. She thought about the whole experience, not just the obvious attractions. “I know just the trail you mean.”
They gathered their empty cups and pizza remnants, carrying them back to the shack. Louis and Renee stood in the doorway, arms around each other’s waists, their faces glowing with the easy affection of decades together.
“Would it be alright if I took your photo for the article?” Sorcha asked, already reaching for her camera.
“Of course,” Renee beamed, nestling closer to Louis.
Christopher stepped back as Sorcha captured the couple framed in the rustic doorway, their bodies fitting together perfectly, Louis’s arm protectively around Renee’s shoulders. The sight made something ache deep in his chest.
That will be us soon,his bear said with certainty,if you ever get around to telling her.
Christopher swallowed hard. Maybe this hike along the trail might be the perfect opportunity, he thought. They’d be alone, surrounded by the beauty of the forest. If the moment felt right…
Yes!his bear agreed happily, the enthusiasm radiating through Christopher’s body.
They said their goodbyes to Louis and Renee, promising to return soon, and headed back to the truck. Ready for their next adventure.
“It’s going to be dark in two or three hours,” Christopher observed as he started the engine. He was glad he was here with Sorcha. The trail could be tricky to navigate for someone unfamiliar with it, especially as daylight faded.
And after dark?his bear asked suggestively.
Christopher ignored the question, focusing instead on navigating the narrow forest road. Twenty minutes later, they pulled into a small clearing where a weathered wooden sign marked the trailhead.
