The Bear's Christmas Bride: A Cozy Small Town Shifter Romance by Harmony Raines

Author:Harmony Raines [Raines, Harmony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harmony Raines
Published: 2025-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve – Holly

Holly’s cheeks ached from smiling. For the past few hours, she’d been elbow-deep in cakes and customers, serving people alongside Mina and Carl while Daniel stopped it all from descending into chaos.

Which was no mean feat. The morning rush had been exhilarating, a blur of friendly faces, Christmas orders, and the constant ring of the register. Now, as the afternoon lull settled in, Holly welcomed the chance to breathe. The bakery display cases, which had been packed with pastries, now stood mostly empty, with only a few lonely tarts. The wooden shelves behind the counter that had been piled high with an assortment of fresh loaves were empty save for crumbs.

“Well, team,” Daniel announced, glancing at the clock above the door, “it’s almost three. Time for us to pick up the munchkins.”

Holly hadn’t realized how quickly the day had passed. She wiped her hands on a towel, reluctant to leave this warm, fragrant space where she’d felt so immediately accepted. But excited to pick up the munchkins. She had missed them.

She gnawed her bottom lip. If she’d missed them after only a few hours while they were at school, how was she going to feel when she left town?

Holly ducked her head and went out into the back room to wash her hands. She didn’t want anyone to see the tears glittering in her eyes. As for leaving, she wasn’t going to think about that now. Not today.

Maybe tomorrow… or the next day.

Holly dried her hands and swiped her arm across her eyes before forcing a smile as she went back out into the storefront. Daniel was waiting by the door.

“Ready?” Daniel reached for her new red coat and held it open for her. Holly turned and slipped her arms into the sleeves, the brush of his fingers against her cheek as he adjusted the collar, sending a shower of sparks down her spine.

Without thinking, she leaned into the touch, her eyes fluttering closed for the briefest moment. She felt his breath catch, the small sound loud in her ear. Time suspended between them, fragile and electric.

“Don’t forget these!” Mina’s voice broke the spell as she thrust a white bakery box and a paper-wrapped loaf into Daniel’s hands. “Fresh sourdough and those chocolate cupcakes the kids love. Say hi to those little monsters for me.”

Daniel cleared his throat, his voice a touch deeper than usual. “Will do. Thanks, Mina. See you tomorrow, Carl!”

Holly followed him through the door, her heart still dancing to an uneven rhythm. Outside, the winter air bit at her cheeks, a welcome coolness after the warmth of the bakery. Bear Creek stretched before them, the main street lined with festive decorations and twinkling lights that would shine once dusk fell. Snow crunched beneath their boots as they walked toward Daniel’s truck. She wanted to take a snapshot of it and save it forever.

“It’s just so beautiful here,” Holly said, taking in the charming storefronts with their holiday displays.

“It is,” Daniel agreed, balancing the bakery goods in one arm while he unlocked the passenger door.

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