5. Chapter Five
CHAPTER FIVE
HOPE
T he next night, I tucked the candy cane into Mrs. Henderson’s mailbox, my gloved fingers brushing against the cold metal. Then I readjusted the basket of white-and-red striped candy in my arms as we moved on to the next house, sighing as I took in the heavily decorated suburban street. Warm golden light spilled from windows, silhouetting Christmas trees and wreaths.
And, as was becoming a habit these last few days with Colton, I felt a spark of that childlike wonder I’d been missing for so many years.
“I still think we should give ourselves an A for effort,” Colton said, shaking his head. “I made sure we had all the right vegan and gluten-free ingredients, and we followed the recipe to the letter.”
Last night’s white chocolate cranberry surprise would probably go down in history as the biggest baking disaster of my life. Sure, it was a fun process. And yes, it was sweet of Colton to get the ingredients we needed so that I could enjoy the cookies with him.
But the end result? One word: disgusting.
“The important thing is that we checked it off the list, right?” I asked. “It tells us what to do, but it doesn’t specify how good it has to turn out.”
He shot me a mock scowl. “Haven’t you heard the saying that anything worth doing is worth doing right?”
“Of course.”
“Well, you basically ripped my heart out when your wish at the end of the night was that the cookies tasted as good as they looked.”
I laughed loudly at that, tucking another candy cane in another mailbox. “I’m sorry! It’s not your fault my food preferences got in the way!”
“Well, I’m gonna figure out a way to make them Hope-friendly and still taste good, because those things were nasty.”
“You don’t have to solve every puzzle you come across. You know that, right?”
His chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Sure, sure. Anyway, how are you feeling about all this Christmas spirit? It’s not too much, is it?”
I paused, considering. “Actually... it’s nice. I’d forgotten how magical it can all feel.”
Colton’s expression softened. “I’m glad. Christmas was always a big deal in my family, even when I was deployed, and my family became the other Marines in my unit. Made me appreciate home that much more. Wherever home happened to be.”
“What was it like?” I asked gently. “Being away during the holidays?”
He was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. “Tough. But also... clarifying. You realize what really matters. After I got out, I missed that sense of purpose, of being part of something bigger than myself.”
“Is that what drew you to becoming a PI with Tucker?”
“Partly. Obviously, I also like solving puzzles and helping people. And honestly? After being a military police officer, I wasn’t ready to give up the adrenaline rush completely.”
I grinned. “I’m glad to be the one on the radio and not out there in the action. Secondhand adrenaline is enough of a rush for me. That said, I do like hearin’ about the cases. I’ve always been drawn to mysteries. My grandpa used to tell the most incredible stories...” I trailed off as a pang of grief caught me off guard.
Colton squeezed my hand. “He sounds like an amazing man.”
“He was. I think...I think he’d be happy to see me embracin’ the holidays again.”
Colton’s smile was warm. “I have a feeling he’d be proud of you, Hope. For a lot of reasons.”
The memory of my grandfather’s stories stirred something within me. I turned to Colton, my curiosity piqued. “ You know, there’s another mystery that’s been buggin’ me. The time capsule girl.” I playfully bumped his shoulder. “Hey, you’re a PI. Maybe I should hire you to solve it.”
Colton chuckled, his fingers intertwining with mine. “I don’t want your money. I’m curious, too.”
I bit my lip, feeling suddenly bold. “Oh? If you don’t want my money, how would I pay you then?”
His steps slowed, and he turned to face me, his expression softening. The Christmas lights cast a warm glow on his features, making my breath catch. My heart raced as he leaned in closer, his hand gently cupping my cheek.
“If you’re offering,” he murmured, “I wouldn’t say no to another kiss.”
The world seemed to fall away as I tilted my face up to his, my pulse thundering in my ears. “I suppose that’s only fair...”
Our lips met, and my entire body flooded with light and warmth—despite the dark and chilly night surrounding us. This kiss was different. It wasn’t as soft and sweet as the non-mistletoe kiss from the tree lot. This kiss seared me to my very bones, each brush of Colton’s lips across mine a heated promise for more. For everything . It stole my breath, and as he cupped my face and deepened the kiss, I couldn’t believe how right it felt to be in his arms like this.
When we finally parted, I stood there, my hands resting on Colton’s chest. I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips, and I couldn’t decide where to look or how I felt. The hunger in his eyes made me feel alive and wanted, ready to kiss him again. But the quirk of his lips? That made me want to laugh in a way that I was sure would knit pieces of my heart back together that I’d been pretending weren’t broken.
“You know,” he said softly, “I’ve felt this... this pull towards you since the moment we met. Am I alone in that?”
I blushed under his gaze, and I shook my head. “No, I’ve felt it, too.”
He took a deep breath. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but this feels… real.”
“It really does,” I said with a bewildered laugh.
“What do you say we make it official?”
A broad smile broke across my face. “I’d love that.”
I barely had time to register the relief and joy that washed over his face before he pulled me close, capturing my lips in another kiss. And then, as we broke apart, I had to laugh. “Um, quick question.”
“Shoot.”
“Is it weird that it was easier to say yes to that than it has been to do any of this Christmas stuff?”
Colton grinned, his arm wrapping around my waist as we started to walk again. “Only if it’s weird that I’m totally good with that. But, just so you know, you’re not getting out of the Christmas stuff. We gotta finish the list.”
“And figure out who made it.”
“That, too.”
I leaned into him, feeling lighter than I had in years. “That’s my wish for tonight. That we can find out who made it, figure out her connection to my grandpa, and… if she’s around, give her back her snow globe. Hopefully, it makes her as happy as her stinkin’ list is makin’ me right now.”
“See?” he said with a teasing wag of his finger. “That doesn’t sound commercialized at all.”