Page 58 of Bear Creek Christmas
“Nope. I miss you already, and you’re still here. I want to fall asleep in your arms as many nights as we can manage.”
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With less than twoweeks before Christmas, Bear Creek’s downtown filled up every night with eager shoppers. The public performances refocused attention on the town’s unique claim to fame, and the mayor’s office received a lot of positive feedback. Business owners were exhausted but happy, with excellent sales and lots of first-time customers. Nearly every countertop displayed CDs entitledBear Creek Christmas—a professional recording of the weekend entertainment with a booklet of production photos. Due to the media exposure, they sold like hotcakes, and all the proceeds went to charity.
Matt Langtree wasn’t far off the mark about the possibility of Levi being “stolen”. With his face all over the news, a steady stream of job offers arrived in his mailbox. Even his former school district in Cleveland tried to convince him to come back, but he politely turned them down. The attempts to lure his mate away upset Knox, and Levi stopped mentioning it altogether. Still, the unsettled bear shifter needed reassurance.
“You don’t need to worry because I’m not going anywhere. The only thing being stolen is my heart, and you already have it.”
Aside from regular classes, Levi led numerous field trips for his choirs and ensembles—tasked to sing at rest homes, the Wilkes-Barre shopping mall, and holiday parties. He’d actually turned down more than he could accept, and his students were having a blast. In the evenings, he graded homework and prepared exams for finals. Spending time with Knox proved to be hit and miss, though the cuddly bear managed to sleep over more nights than not.
Knox’s services were in great demand as Christmas approached. When he wasn’t plowing snow or delivering firewood for Calvin Shaw, he responded to maintenance requests. He also had woodworking projects to complete in his spare time. Some days, he’d show up at Levi’s apartment—worn out and smelling of sawdust—just in time to crash for the night and get up at the crack of dawn to do it again. Neither of them complained though they both yearned to get off the merry-go-round and simply be together.
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Sunday, December nineteenth
When Levi and Knox arrived for the evening performance, they found Dee Dee Tillman waiting for them with worrisome news.
“I don’t know if you have been following the weather reports, but there’s a snowstorm building out west. They’re saying it could be a big one, and it’s heading our way.”
Knox growled, slipping an arm around his mate.
“Any idea when it will reach Bear Creek?”
Dee Dee shrugged.
“Predictions say right around Christmas, but it might change speed or direction by then. I wanted you to be aware in case we have to cancel the performance on Christmas Eve. I posted a signup sheet backstage asking for everyone’s phone number and email so we can contact people quickly. We haven’t had a storm like this for at least twenty years, but I’m not taking any chances.”
Levi heartily agreed with her.
“I’ll remind everyone to sign up and to watch for a call or message, just in case. Is there anything else I can do?”
Dee Dee shook her head.
“I’ll be in touch if there is. In case I don’t see you two again before Friday, have a wonderful Christmas.”
Knox and Levi headed backstage and passed the signup sheet around on a clipboard. Once everyone had arrived, he gave the usual pep talk and included a personal thank you.
“I want all of you to know how much I appreciate your sacrifice and dedication. It’s been a privilege to work with you, and I know Mayor Tillman and the business owners are very grateful for your contribution to the holiday season. Now, let’s go out there and give them a performance to remember!”
Chapter 17
Monday, December 20th
