Page 12 of Bear Creek Christmas
“Thanks. I hope you didn’t have to interrupt something important.”
“Nope. I’m in the middle of building a custom cupboard, but it’s not a rush job. Even if it was, I wouldn’t have missed spending time with you.”
Levi suddenly wanted to kiss the daylights out of the guy.
“Well, I wish we had more time, but at least it’s something. Do you want to share a cart?”
“Sure. You wait here, and I’ll go get one.”
They started with the grocery aisles, leaving the refrigerated and frozen items for last, talking as they shopped. Knox was full of questions.
“So, where’s home for you?”
“I’m from Beechwood, Ohio. It’s a suburb of Cleveland, about five hours west of here. How about you? Did you grow up in Bear Creek?”
“No, I came from up north, near Gibson. I never knew my dad, and my mom keeps to herself. I have a brother and sister, too, but haven’t seen them for a long time.”
Levi’s expression soured.
“I’m sorry. Family can be... complicated.”
“No worries. Some shifters tend to think and act more like their bears and prefer to be alone. I’m not really like that. What about your family?”
Levi noticed that Knox didn’t pick up just one of anything, only multiples, and figured the big guy must have to eat an awful lot to nourish his bear.
“I’m the oldest of four—two sisters and a brother in college who lives at home with my parents. We’re pretty close and get along well. I miss seeing them since I moved here.”
The comment prompted a question Knox really wanted to ask.
“So why Bear Creek? Didn’t you like the city?”
Knox could smell Levi’s discomfort, wondering what it meant.
“Not especially. I’ve always wanted to live in a smaller community, and my teaching career wasn’t going anywhere.”
They’d finally reached the produce department, where both of them began loading up with fruits and veggies. Knox knew there was more to Levi’s story.
“Is there something else, or am I not supposed to ask?”
Levi appreciated Knox’s honesty and decided to respond in kind.
“Here’s the thing; I ended a relationship not too long before I moved. Let’s just say getting away from him was one of the reasons I applied to Bear Creek.”
Knox growled and snatched up Levi’s hand.
“Did he hurt you? What’s his name? Where is he?”
Levi noted the man’s mile-wide protective streak and found it adorable.
“It’s all right, Knox. His name is Daniel Pennyman, and he lives in Cleveland. I don’t ever expect to see him again, though he tried to talk me out of breaking up and moving away. He didn’t hit me or anything, but I discovered that he loved being seen with me more than me. I still can’t understand why I didn’t figure it out sooner. Dumping Daniel was the right decision.”
Incensed, Knox ignored his surroundings and swept up Levi in a hug, pulling the smaller man against his body. His bear wanted to kill Pennyman, and Knox talked him down while rubbing Levi’s back with gentle strokes. He could smell his mate’s anger and humiliation, even while relaxing into the embrace. Knox whispered in his ear.
“It wasn’t fair, and Pennyman is an asshole. I would never do that to you, Levi. You have my word.”
Levi gave the considerate man a gentle squeeze and looked up.
“Thank you. Now, you better let me go before the other customers start talking.”
