Page 64 of Bear Creek Christmas
Chapter 19
Urged on by his bear, Knox scanned the side of the road as he inched his way to town. Maybe his mate had pulled over or, better yet, decided to remain at the apartment. Surely he realized Knox would come for him and simply wait in a safe place until he got there. The possibility of an accident was one he didn’t want to examine too closely. Either way, it meant he needed to find Levinow.
Up ahead, Knox saw swirling lights and heard the distinctive sound of a blade on pavement. The driver slowed, allowing Knox to pass before continuing on his way. So far, the snowplow was the only vehicle he’d seen tonight, though he’d desperately wanted it to be his mate’s cheery red jeep instead. He encountered no one else, even when he reached downtown. Traffic lights blinked over eerily-vacant streets, and the sight gave Knox a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature.
Entering the Locust Lodge parking lot, Knox didn’t see Levi’s jeep anywhere, bumping his fear up another notch. He pulled into the handicapped spot nearest the door, rushed into the building, and up the stairs. Knox’s frantic search of the apartment didn’t take very long. His mate wasn’t here, meaning he must be out in the storm somewhere. With repeated demands from his bear to FIND HIM! ringing in his head, Knox secured the apartment and returned to the truck.
He knew Levi always took the same route between here and the cabin, so Knox should be able to spot him if he were stopped or stuck along the way. Given the blinding snow and darkness, it was possible to have missed him on the opposite side of the road, even with superior eyesight. Between town and the turnoff, Knox saw nothing of concern. Now heading north, with a two-mile stretch before him, he concentrated on the right side of the road.
About halfway in, Knox spotted something odd and slowed down to take a closer look. The deep ditch was humped and not perfectly flat as everywhere else. Not only that, he saw debris of some sort among the clumps of snow tossed by the plow. Taking a chance, Knox angled the truck to light up the area and got out to take a look. Careful to remain on solid ground, he spied more debris beyond the mound and stopped dead.
It was a bumper mixed with the shattered undercarriage of a bright red automobile. NO! His mate must be under that mound of snow somewhere! Knox ran back to the truck and pulled it closer, emergency lights flashing in the howling gloom. Ignoring the cold, he stripped beside the open door of the pickup and shifted. The wind made it hard to detect any scents, but as Knox drew nearer, he felt sure the jeep, and his mate, were buried in the ditch.
Frantic to save Levi, Knox used his enormous paws to dig a path down to the jeep. Moments later, he found a rear wheel and determined that the vehicle must be lying on its side. The bear pounded on the back end, roaring in frustration as he continued towards the driver’s door. Suddenly, the muffled cries of his desperate mate rose above the howling wind.
“Knox! Help me! I can’t get out!”
The distraught bear dug faster along the undercarriage, trying to create enough space to right the vehicle and open the driver’s door. Inside, Levi heard Knox’s growls and furious clawing at the packed snow. He’d come for him! He grabbed the plastic bag and stuffed it under his coat so it wouldn’t get left behind. After several minutes, the sounds from outside drew nearer to the driver’s side door, and the jeep began to rock.
Levi braced himself the best he could as the vehicle slowly righted itself. Now nearly flat and unmoving, Levi unlatched the door and managed to open it several inches before Knox grasped it with his powerful paws and yanked. The next thing Levi knew, he was being snuffled by a very eager bear, who just as quickly shifted into a shivering Knox, shouting instructions.
“Climb on my back and hold on. I’ll get us up to the road!”
As soon as Knox resumed his ursine form, Levi lay on his back, wrapping his arms around the bear’s neck. Getting out of a snow-filled ditch with steep sides wasn’t easy, but Knox found enough traction to haul them up to the narrow shoulder and then back to the truck. At the passenger door, Knox used his snout to indicate that Levi should get in.
Inside the blessedly warm cab, Levi sagged with relief while poor Knox redressed in the frigid wind. As soon as the driver’s door closed, Levi threw himself into his mate’s arms, kissing, laughing and weeping. Knox purred like a cat with cream, grateful to have found his mate in one piece.
“I’m sorry. I never should have gone out. Thank you for saving me! I love you so much.”
Knox still wanted answers, but he needed to get his mate to safety first.
“What do you need? Are you hurt?”
Levi shook his scarf-wrapped head.
“No. Just scared and cold. I’ll be all right once we get home.”
Knox managed to get his socks and boots back on despite wet feet, followed by his coat, hat, and gloves. He’d rather remain with Levi, but the truck windows were snow-covered again, and he was forced to clear them before getting underway. He drove slowly through the intense storm, sneaking glances at his mate. Both men cheered when they reached the driveway, and Knox lowered the blade once more to clean it off on the way in.
When he caught sight of the cabin, Levi burst into tears. Knox almost joined him, but his mate needed him to be strong right now. After he parked, Knox walked around to the passenger side and scooped up his distraught mate, carrying him into the cabin. Shedding their soggy outerwear and boots at the door, Knox noticed Levi clinging to a plastic bag as if it were filled with treasure. There must be a story there, but he didn’t need to know right this minute.
Knox led his mate over to the couch and pulled him into his lap, soothing raw nerves with soft kisses. Once Levi relaxed, Knox asked for answers.
“What happened to you, mate? I was so worried.”
Knox had every right to be upset, even yell at him, yet the man remained gentle and caring. Levi’s guilt spiked big time, knowing he’d frightened his mate unnecessarily.
“I was on my way back, and someone in the other lane came at me, driving way too fast. They must have hit the brakes because the car started to fishtail and then hit me. I ended up in the ditch, and the other driver never bothered to stop. I almost escaped, and then the plow came by and dumped more snow on the car. I couldn’t get out and didn’t have my phone to call you. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Knox stroked Levi’s back and kissed the top of his head until he stopped trembling.
“I would have been scared, too, and I’m so glad you’re all right. But why did you leave the cabin? I could have taken you when I got home if it was that important.”
