Chapter 65

sixty-five

DYLAN

For the last half hour, I’d been making a list of the Christmas decorations Mom wanted to hang in the house.

“I’d like red and gold tinsel,” she said, pouring her famous pasta sauce over a layer of lasagna noodles.

“Are you sure you want tinsel this year? Why not real pine garlands?”

“I don’t mind fresh pine trees, but I want tinsel and lights,” she replied, adding creamy cheese sauce to the sheets of pasta. “We could always buy the tinsel that has fairy lights in it. Luke bought some from Murdoch’s and it looks stunning.”

“Murdoch’s?” Now I’m confused. “The last time I was in there I didn’t see any Christmas decorations. Are you sure you have the right store?”

“As sure as I’ll ever be when your brother tells me something,” she said with a smile. “Remember to compliment Luke when you see his house. He’s spent a fortune on decorations. I think he’s compensating for not going through with the wedding. ”

“Luke always goes overboard at Christmas,” I reminded Mom.

“But not like this. The Boy Scouts asked if they could do a tour of his house after their next meeting. His property’s turning into a tourist attraction.”

“Maybe that’s not a bad thing. It’s better than having your name splashed across the Facebook page as a runaway groom.”

Mom handed me a block of cheese and a grater. “Grate enough cheese to sprinkle over the top of the lasagna.”

Since I’d been home, I’d been learning how to cook. Each recipe was a family favorite, most passed down from generation to generation. Along with the cooking lessons, Mom told me stories about our family and where each recipe came from. It was no wonder Luke and Steve enjoyed their time in the kitchen.

“How is that man of yours?” Mom asked.

For a moment, I didn’t know who she was talking about. “Alex?”

“Is there another man?” she asked, and I could almost see her wedding radar twitching.

“No, and there’s no Alex, either. He’s working in Washington, D.C. I’m not sure if he’s coming back to Sunrise Bay when he’s finished.”

Mom sighed. “You should start thinking about your future. Your dad and I aren’t getting any younger. By the time you and your brothers have children, we’ll be too old to enjoy them.”

If we ever had children, I couldn’t see that happening. Even if my parents were in their nineties, they’d still be excited about seeing their grandchildren.

I sprinkled cheese on the top layer of the lasagna. “This looks impressive. Do you think Dad will know who baked it?”

“He won’t mind. As long as there’s garlic bread on the table, he’ll be happy.”

I realized I forgot to include garlic bread on my shopping list. “Oops.”

The front doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” I said, wiping my hands on my apron.

“If the neighbor’s children are selling chocolate bars for their school fundraiser, we’ll have two bars,” Mom called after me.

I opened the door, and my smile disappeared. Alex stood in front of me, holding a bouquet of pale pink roses.

I gripped the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” he said.

My knees felt weak. “I thought you were in Washington, D.C.?”

Alex stepped closer. “I came home early. I wanted to tell you?—”

Mom walked into the hallway. “I brought my purse—” She looked at Alex, and a smile broke across her face. “Alex! It’s good to see you.” She rushed forward and pulled him into the house. “What were you thinking, Dylan? The poor man is freezing. And he brought you roses, too.”

I was in trouble now. Mom was a sucker for any man who brought her sons flowers.

Alex handed me the roses before Mom whisked him into the kitchen. In no time, he was sipping coffee with a plate of shortbread in front of him, and telling us about the Christmas lights in Washington, D.C.

All I could do was sit on a stool and listen to the conversation going on around me.

“You must stay for dinner,” Mom said as she refilled Alex’s cup. “We’ve made lasagna. It’s one of our favorite recipes.”

Alex smiled. “It’s one of my favorites, too.”

A blush heated my face. I remembered the cooking lesson Alex gave me, the way he patiently showed me how to make the cheese and tomato sauces. I enjoyed spending time with him. And, regardless of what had happened, I missed him.

“Dylan has been learning to cook a lot of our favorite recipes. Wait until you try his mini calzones stuffed with pepperoni, pesto, and ricotta. They’re delicious.”

“I can’t wait,” Alex said.

His slow smile made me sigh. I needed to talk to him before Mom started planning our wedding.

I took off my apron and stood beside Alex. “I forgot to buy garlic bread. Do you want to come to the supermarket with me?”

For a moment, I thought he was going to stay with Mom. He’d see my baby photos, the pictures I painted in elementary school. And if Mom got really sentimental, a lock of my baby hair.

I tugged at Alex’s uninjured arm. “You really need to come with me.”

Alex’s smile melted my heart. “I thought you’d never ask.”

And just like that, I fell in love with him all over again.