Chapter 66

sixty-six

ALEX

“This isn’t a supermarket.” I peered through the windshield at the large building in front of us. It was a ranch supply store, the complete opposite of what we were looking for. “They won’t sell garlic bread.”

Dylan smiled. “I know. Mom wants to decorate her house in tinsel and fairy lights. She said Luke bought his decorations from Murdoch’s. It’s on our way to the supermarket, so I thought we could have a look.”

“Are you trying to keep me away from your mom?”

“You know what she’s like.”

The soft blush on Dylan’s face made my heart race. I not only knew what his mom was like, but I also hoped she might have some influence on her son.

I undid my seatbelt. “Your mom has a heart of gold.”

“Wrapped in tulle and confetti,” Dylan muttered. “Let’s go.”

As soon as we entered the store, I knew we wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. If Dylan wanted to buy his parents some Christmas decorations, he couldn’t go wrong here .

Dylan’s mouth dropped open. “It looks like Santa’s cave.”

Pine garlands with sparkling red berries decorated the walls. On our left were at least a dozen Christmas trees adorned with fairy lights and tinsel.

“Mom would love this.” Dylan touched a small tree covered in gold tinsel. “This must be what Luke bought for his house.”

“Is it the tree or the tinsel you like?”

“The tinsel. Mom wants to decorate her living room in red and gold tinsel and fairy lights. She’ll use the same tree from last year.”

I walked farther into the store, searching the shelves for tinsel. It looked as though Murdoch’s sold everything from cowboy boots to twine. And hats. Rows and rows of cowboy hats in every style and color imaginable.

“You should buy this one.” Dylan took a black hat off the stand. He stepped closer and placed it on my head. “Almost like Cinderella. It fits perfectly.”

I wasn’t sure a cowboy hat compared well to a glass slipper, but I wasn’t complaining. Reaching out, I gently held Dylan’s hand in mine. “I’ve missed you.”

He didn’t step away or tell me I was crazy. “I’ve missed you, too. How long are you staying in Boulder?”

I took a deep breath. “I can stay for as long as you need me.” The last thing I expected was for tears to fill his eyes. I cupped the side of his face with my hand. “Are you all right?”

Dylan nodded, then shook his head.

“Was that a yes or a no?”

“It’s both.” He took a deep breath. “My PTSD has come back. I’m okay most of the time, but sometimes I cry. ”

“Like now?”

A gentle smile softened his face. “Like now. It doesn’t mean I’m sad, it just means I’m crying.”

“Can I do anything to help?” I knew what I wanted to do, but hugging Dylan might make him cry even more.

He held my hand. “I’ll be okay in a few minutes. Why did you want to see me, Alex?”

This wasn’t how I imagined telling Dylan I loved him. There had to be a rule about including romantic music, candlelight, and roses. At least I’d covered the rose option—even if I hadn’t realized why I was giving them to him.

“I love you, Dylan. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I was overwhelmed by what had happened and worried the terrorists could still hurt my brother and friends. I should have apologized straightaway for what I said, but I didn’t.”

He squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, too. I knew you were exhausted, but I kept asking questions. I should have waited until the morning to talk to you.”

“Do you think we can be more than friends?”

Dylan kissed my cheek. “I hope so because I love you, too. Just be careful around Mom. She has wedding bells on her mind.”

“I know a cure for that,” I said with a smile. “We’ll dazzle her with so many Christmas decorations that she won’t think of anything else for the rest of the week.”

“You don’t know my mom. She’s a great multitasker.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist. “So are we.”

“I like the way you think.”

Dylan’s smile touched something deep inside my soul. When I leaned forward and kissed him, I forgot about the Christmas decorations, the people in the store, or anything that had happened before tonight. All I knew was that I loved Dylan with a force that went beyond anything I’d ever known. And I wanted to spend the rest of my life showing him just how much he meant to me.