“Show me,” she whispered back, her hands already beginning to wander.
And as the fire burned low, and the night deepened around them, Christopher did exactly that—showing her with every touch, every kiss, every shared breath just how deeply, completely, and eternally he loved her. Their bodies spoke a language older than words, a promise that transcended time and space, binding them together as surely as the stars were bound to the sky.
In the quiet moments afterward, as Sorcha dozed in his arms, Christopher gazed at her face in the dying firelight. His mate. His love. His future.
Another wish comes true,his bear said happily.
All he hoped now was that James and Daniel might also find the mates they deserved.
Epilogue
It was hard to believe so much had changed in such a short space of time.
Sorcha shook her head and chuckled to herself as she dialed Doreen’s number and waited for her friend to answer.
In fact, everything had changed since she’d called Doreen yesterday to share her decision to stay in Bear Creek with Christopher. Through the cabin window, she could see him helping a family load their SUV, his strong arms lifting suitcases with ease. Her heart swelled watching him—her bear shifter, her mate, her future.
“Sorcha!” Doreen’s voice exploded through the phone. “I’ve been waiting for your call!”
“Sorry, I just got your text.” Sorcha’s stomach fluttered with nerves. “You said you had news?”
“News? Honey, I have the news of the century!” Doreen’s excitement vibrated through the line. “I got the feeling you were wavering on taking over for Dominic, and so I pitched an idea to my publisher friend at Horizon Books.”
Sorcha’s breath caught. “You did?”
“Of course I did! I pitched the idea of your turning your best articles into a book. And guess what?” Doreen paused dramatically. “They want it! They’re interested in a full collection of your travel essays with new material!”
The room seemed to tilt slightly. Sorcha sank onto the couch, her knees suddenly weak. “They…what? Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack! They love your writing. They’re offering a two-book deal, Sorcha. Two books!”
“I can’t believe it,” Sorcha whispered, her free hand pressed against her chest. “This is…I never expected…”
“Well, believe it! I’ll have the contracts ready to sign in a couple of days. We’re talking about a decent advance, too. Not quit-your-job money, but definitely validation money.”
Sorcha’s gaze drifted back to the window, to Christopher. An idea sparked. “Doreen, why don’t you come here? To Bear Creek? You could bring the contracts, and I could show you why I’ve fallen in love with this place.”
A pause stretched between them. “Come to the middle of nowhere? In winter?”
“It’s beautiful here,” Sorcha urged. “And I’d really like you to meet Christopher.”
“Ah, so that’s the real reason,” Doreen teased. “You want my approval on your mountain man.”
“Oh no, he already has my approval.” Sorcha smiled. “But I do want to see you. We can talk face-to-face about the book, about everything.”
Doreen sighed dramatically. “Fine. For you, I’ll brave the wilderness. Send me the details, and I’ll see if I can make it work this weekend.”
“Really? That’s perfect! Thank you, Doreen.”
“Don’t thank me yet. If there’s no decent coffee in this Bear Creek of yours, I’m turning right around.”
Sorcha laughed. “We have coffee. Promise.”
After they hung up, Sorcha sat stunned on the couch. A book deal. Her travel stories bound together, preserved. A dream she hadn’t even dared to form was suddenly within reach.
The cabin door opened, letting in a blast of cold air along with Christopher. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, snowflakes clinging to his dark hair.
“Hey,” he said, his face lighting up at the sight of her. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
