When the circus reached its finale, and the whole clan joined hands and took a bow, there was a standing ovation. People were getting hysterical, screaming and whooping and declaring their love.
“They really needed to let off steam,” Sawyer said later, as he and Harlow had a celebratory drink with the clan.
“They sure did,” she replied, laughing happily.
The next day, Rebecca couldn’t join Harlow and Carly for lunch break because she was being inundated by people asking her for help cutting down pine trees from the forest.
“Wow. If they go on like that, there won’t be any trees left. Why don’t you start a business?” Harlow said. She found a wholesaler, and after work, they took her dad’s truck and piled it full of trees.
As soon as they got back and unloaded them, people gathered around, wanting to buy them, and they hauled them home, faces glowing with excitement.
The show was full on the second night, and the same on the third night and the fourth, as the reputation of the Circus grew and grew, and people came from all the neighboring towns to see it.
On her way to work one morning, Harlow noticed something: the wind wasn’t blowing. She’d walked down from the camp ground, and there had been no change in the weather. She hadn’t had to wrap her coat more tightly around her body and fight an arctic blast lashing her in the face. Weird, she thought. But the wind didn’t start up that day, nor the day after.
And then, even more weirdly, people also started to visit Windy Hollow, saying it was the “prettiest Christmas town they’d ever seen,” and the streets started to fill with tourists, snapping photos and asking for tips on decorating their own homes.
“Dad, have you noticed that the wind isn’t blowing today?” Harlow asked her father later that day.
“I sure have! I think this town is back to being Mistletoe Hollow! Gone are the days of Windy Hollow!”
“I never want this to end,” Harlow said, lying in Sawyer’s arms late one night.
“Me neither, baby. But the best is yet to come.”
“What’s that?”
“Christmas, of course! The show finishes on the 23rd, and then I’m thinking you, me, and a cozy little cabin up in the mountains. What do you think?”
“Sawyer!” she gasped. “I think that’s the dream that I’ve never allowed myself to have!”
12
The show’s finale was a great success. Everyone in the town attended, and lots of people from other towns too. Crowds filled every available space in the big top – all the aisles and steps, and sitting cross-legged in the pit in front of the stage. It was raucous and joyful, and the performers, inspired by all the praise they were getting, did their most energetic, dynamic show ever.
Harlow watched, her heart bursting with happiness. Tonight was the closing party, and tomorrow she was going to spend Christmas with Sawyer.
“Great show,” she called to Melina as they crossed paths on the camp ground later. Melina hadn’t softened toward her at all in the past days, still shooting her envious glances with those cool, feline eyes.
“Thanks, hun.”
“And have a great Christmas.” Melina stopped walking and faced her.
“I hope you have fun with Sawyer too. And don’t take it too hard when it’s all over. I always tell him he’s got to stop taking a girl for the holidays, and leaving her broken hearted when he moves on to his next destination. But he just can’t help himself.”
An icy chill ran down Harlow’s spine. She clenched her muscles as her bear bristled beneath her skin. With a supreme effort, she made her voice calm and answered her:
“There’s no danger of that, Melina. I’m not looking for a mate from the circus, I can assure you.” Then she stalked off, leaving Melina standing there.
Deep breaths, Harlow told herself, as she went over to Sawyer’s trailer. She’s right. She’s a bitch, but she’s right. Enjoy it while it lasts had been her mantra for the past weeks, but somewhere in the past couple of days, she’d forgotten it. She was getting closer to Sawyer by the moment, with every sweet night spent in his bed, each fun, deep, intimate conversation they had. All the incredible, mind-blowing kisses and caresses they shared. And she’d been so looking forward to Christmas in the cabin. But he hadn’t asked her to be his mate, to live with him and be part of the circus, and she didn’t dare to ask him. “A girl for the holidays,” she muttered.
She tried her best not to let her emotions cloud the night, nor the next morning as they set off for the mountains. He surprised her by hiring a huge, shiny SUV, and there was plenty of room inside as they make easy work of the snowy roads. The sky was gray and the snow fell continuously, but they were cozy together in the car.
“This is so great,” he said. “You. The cabin. Finishing the season. What could be better?” She reached out and squeezed his hand.
“It’s perfect, Sawyer,” she said.
They drove most of the day and arrived in a tiny mountain town in the early evening. Lights and Christmas decorations glowed from isolated houses along the way, and the lights from the town looked welcoming.
“Do you come here every year?” she asked.
“No. First time.” His eyebrows drew together fleetingly, as if confused by her question.
They pulled up at a small collection of luxury wooden cabins.
“We’re staying here?” Harlow exclaimed. It was a beautiful place, surrounded by outdoor Christmas trees and strings of twinkling fairy lights. Inside, the cabin was elegantly furnished, with a lovely, big bed, an open fireplace in the bedroom, and a beautiful bathroom, stocked with indulgent toiletries.
“Do you like it?” Sawyer said, a rare hint of uncertainty in his voice.
“I love it. If I had my own place, I’d want it to look exactly like this!” she said, flinging her arms around him. The fridge was stocked with Christmas food and treats, and there were kits for making mulled wine and spiced apple cider. Sawyer reached into the back of the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Champagne.
“Let’s have a toast!” He opened the bottle and filled up two champagne flutes. “To you, Harlow, and to our Christmas together.” She clinked glasses and sipped the champagne – the first she’d ever tasted. The bubbles went up her nose, but she loved the rich, dry taste of it. As she drank, she watched him through her lashes. Being here with him was so bittersweet. It was everything she’d dreamed of, but she didn’t just want him for Christmas – she wanted him forever.
They had chicken legs and cold cuts and slaw for dinner, and drunk the rest of the champagne, sitting at their cozy little table in the cabin. When they’d finished eating, he let out a happy sigh.
“I love my clan to death, but it’s so great to be here with you, without someone banging on the trailer door, needing something,” he said.
“It is,” she said, thinking of her life with her dad, where they were constantly under each other’s feet. And of Melina, always hanging around with a bitchy comment on her lips.
Before bed, they stood on the porch of the cabin, gazing up at the icy sky, enjoying the purity of the air at high altitude, the stars so bright and distinct. Sawyer stood behind her and held her in his arms, and she wished that time could stand still forever.
Back inside, they undressed each other and lay down on the bed, making love with the firelight flickering across their naked bodies.
The next morning, Sawyer woke her up as it was just getting light. He was stroking her face, and whispering something in her ear. She’d been having a distressing dream about being abandoned, and she dragged herself out of it with an effort. She turned onto her back and opened her eyes. He was standing in front of her stark naked, so gorgeous that he hardly seemed any more real than her dream.
“Happy Christmas, baby,” he said, flashing his irresistibly cute, boyish grin.
“Happy Christmas!” she replied, and pulled him down for a hug.
“Are you ready for your breakfast?”
“Yes?” she
said, uncertainly. “Is Mildred about to hop in here with a plate of pancakes?” He laughed.
“Wait right here.”
A moment later he returned, still naked, his biceps flexing as he carried a tray of eggs, muffins, smoked salmon and coffee. She grinned in delight.
“I didn’t know you could cook!” He shrugged.
“I can knock up a few things. I just don’t want the cooks at the circus to feel underemployed.” Putting the tray down on the bed, he jumped in beside her. Why has he needed to cook before? she wondered. He’s always lived at the circus. Unless it’s for occasions like this, when he whisks off a girl for the holidays and gives her the moon for a few days.
Sawyer was eating fast and she sensed the energy coursing through his body. As soon as they’d finished, he put the tray aside.
“I have a gift for you,” he announced. She gasped.
“Where is it?”
“Well, we have to go pick it up.”
“What is it?”
“Harlow! Christmas gifts, like most other gifts are supposed to be a surprise!” He slapped her thigh. “Come on, let’s get ready!”
Half an hour later, she was showered and wrapped up in a forest-green wool tunic and tight blue jeans. They got into the SUV and began to drive in the opposite direction from where they’d come yesterday, up and over the top of the mountain.
“Do you know these mountains well?” she said, trying hard to figure out where he was taking them.
“Nope!” he said cheerfully.
“Well, how do you know where we’re going?”
“Research!”
“Are you going to answer all of my questions with one word?”
“Yup!”
She gave up. Instead, she chattered to him about how crazy Mistletoe Hollow had gone.
“From being the most miserable bunch of people you can imagine, they’ve gone to the opposite extreme. There’s a petition going around to change the name back to Mistletoe Hollow, and they’ve just entered a contest to find the happiest town in the country. I mean, can you believe that?” He grinned.
“I guess they’re making up for lost time.” She sighed.
“And they wasted all that time because of fear. Fear can be so paralyzing.”
“Yes, they believed in the curse, and that can be a very powerful thing. And who knows, a wind like that could drive a person crazy. And they weren’t the only ones who lost someone.” She frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll see.”
He turned through another sharp switchback in the mountain and a small town came into view.
“Straight through, and take the last right out of the town,” he muttered.
“Whose instructions are these?” Harlow demanded.
“Patience!” he said, raising her hand and kissing it.
At last, he turned into a narrow dirt road and pulled up in front of a small house that looked like it was cut out of the mountain itself. “Come on.”
As they climbed out of the SUV, the front door of the house opened and a woman came out. She was tall and voluptuous, and she had long gray hair and big green eyes.
“Harlow!” she said, walking toward them and holding her hands out. Harlow stood stock still. There was something in the woman’s face that was very familiar.
“M-mom?” she stuttered. The woman broke into a brilliant smile.
“Oh, Harlow! My baby!” she ran up to her and wrapped her arms around her, squeezing her so tight she could hardly breathe. Harlow burst into tears. She drew back and gazed at the woman’s face.
“You are my mom, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am, darling.” The woman lifted her hand and traced a fingertip across Harlow’s cheek. “I’ve missed you so much. More than you can possibly imagine.”
“But I – I didn’t even know I had a mom. And all the time, you were living up here?”
“I wasn’t allowed to see you. I was banished from the town when you were a baby. And I’ve had to live my life up here. Never seeing my precious child again.” The woman started to cry as well. “I’m so, so sorry, Harlow. Please believe me, I never would’ve stayed away from you if I’d had any choice at all in the matter.” Pity welled up in Harlow’s heart.
“I do believe you. I know how crazy the town was. But tell me what happened?”
“Let’s go inside,” her mom said and led them into her house.
Inside was rustic but cozy, with a wood-burning stove, and there were several boxes on the floor, filled with jars of herbs and potions. They sat by the fire and her mom made them all some cinnamon spice tea. Then she gazed at Harlow, as if she could never get her fill of looking at her.
“I know something about what happened,” Harlow began. “Do you know who this is?” She laid her hand on Sawyer’s knee.
“Of course, honey. He was the one who got in touch with me. But let me start from the beginning. After Sawyer and Carly’s dad went crazy and gave him away to the circus, the town went mad and lynched him. And then a lot of other bad things happened. I was the head of the town, and I went to see the Oracle for guidance. She blamed me for it – said it was my fault that I hadn’t kept the people under control, and said I had to leave town and never come back. It almost killed me. But that day, I said goodbye to you and to your father, knowing I could never see you again. I came up here, far from civilization, and managed to scrape together a life for myself. I discovered that I’ve got a talent for healing people, and I spend my time mixing up herbal medicines. All the time I assumed that my sacrifice had healed the town, and that everyone was happily getting on with their lives down there. The Oracle warned me to never go back to Mistletoe Hollow, so I was none the wiser that you were all suffering. I know now that she was a crank. And I wish, to the bottom of my heart, that I hadn’t trusted her.
“And then, a few days ago, Sawyer appeared. I recognized him instantly.” She took his hand. “He told me what had been happening in the town.”
“But – how did you know where to find her?”
“Cynthia told me where she’d be,” he said.
“And since then, I’ve been packing up, saying my goodbyes and waiting for you.” Harlow grinned.
“You’re coming back to Mistletoe Hollow?”
“Of course I am! I want to get to know you, and see how beautifully you’ve grown up. And besides, I haven’t seen my mate in 20 years!”
“Dad’s changed recently,” Harlow said. “He used to be so grumpy, but these last few days, he’s been like a different man.”
“Ed, grumpy?” Her mom let off a burst of laughter. “I can’t imagine that. He was always so happy-go-lucky.” Then her eyes filled with sadness. “Everything changed after I left, didn’t it?” Harlow nodded.
“It was a sad town to grow up in. We always felt like we were living under a curse.”
“I’m so sorry for that too, Harlow. You deserved a happy upbringing, and I thought that was what I was giving you by staying away.”
“It’s okay, mom. It’s not your fault.” She got to her feet and hugged her mom again, her warm, sweet scent filling her heart with joy.
“When are you coming back?”
“Just as soon as we’ve finished our tea!” Her mom drained her cup and banged it down on the side table. And something sparked in Harlow’s brain – a very early memory of her mom, being energetic and vigorous. She laughed happily and she and Sawyer finished their tea as well.
“Let’s go!” he said.
They packed her mom’s things into the back of the car, and her mom dropped off her big, old-fashioned key with her neighbor. She sighed as she closed her front door for the last time.
“It hasn’t been a bad place to live, and I’m glad that I’ve helped so many people, but I’ve spent every day dreaming of being in Mistletoe Hollow, with you and Ed. Thinking of you, hoping you were happy,” she said.
“And now we’re starting the next chapter of our lives,” Harlow replied.<
br />
They talked non-stop on the way back to the cabin, catching up on all the missing years. And Harlow told her how Sawyer arriving with the circus had changed everything.
As they pulled up in front of their cabin, a very rickety red truck was clanking up the mountain from the other direction, its engine sounding like it was on its last gasp. Harlow shaded her eyes.
“Is that dad?” she said. “It is!” He parked the truck nearby, leapt out and ran toward his mate.
“Ed!”
“Juanita!” Harlow watched as her parents fell into each other’s arms, low rumbles coming from their chests as their bears engaged with each other. Her eyes teared up, and Sawyer came up behind her and put his arms around her.
“Oh, Sawyer. Thank you so, so much for doing this,” she whispered. He kissed her on top of her head.
“Anything for you, baby,” he murmured. She turned around and he pressed his forehead against hers. “I got my own family back, so of course I wanted you to find yours. As soon as mom told me who the matriarch of the town was, I knew I had to track her down. I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t tell you right away, but I really wanted to surprise you.”
“It’s the best surprise I could imagine!”
They turned their heads and looked at her mom and dad, who were kissing passionately.
“Uh, I’m glad they’re getting reacquainted,” Harlow said with an embarrassed laugh.
“Don’t worry, I got them a cabin, a couple of doors away from ours.” She shook her head in amazement.
“You think of everything.” They went over and Sawyer handed them the key to the room.
“Shall we meet around 6pm for Christmas dinner?” he said.
“Sounds good to me,” Harlow’s dad replied. “Now if you’ll excuse us –”
“Absolutely!” Harlow said quickly, then she grabbed Sawyer’s hand and rushed into their own cabin.
Shiftr: Swipe Left For Love (Nash) BBW Wolf Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 10) Page 21
