Chapter Twenty-Six #3
“I guess it was a repressed memory that was jogged when I saw the photo. That or having my brain a bit scrambled affected what I remembered. Either way, I was able to assure him it was indeed our guy. Luke West. He was released on probation from serving time for armed robbery. They put him in a halfway house in Lakewood, but he ditched quickly and hasn’t returned. ”
“Does Gabe think we’re in danger? I don’t want you out and about alone until this guy is caught.”
Gently, she grasped my arm and squeezed, reassuring me that it was okay and I didn’t need to worry.
“Gabe did his research and knows Luke isn’t in Bells Pass anymore.
Everyone in the state is looking for him, so he said it’s only a matter of time before he’s caught.
To be on the safe side, he’s asking businesses not to send their people out alone late at night.
He’ll talk to the hospital about having security escort people to their vehicles out of an abundance of caution. ”
“The guy sounds like trouble,” I said with a shake of my head. “Suddenly, I feel like we got lucky.”
“I think so too, but I’m not worried. Gabe has done the legwork to know the guy isn’t holed up in Bells Pass, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Unless he comes back through Bells Pass,” I pointed out.
“Possible, but not likely. He has to know the cops are looking for him, so chances are he’s headed for a big city where he can get lost.”
“True. Good riddance. I hope they catch him, but I wouldn’t play it as cool if he were to push my girlfriend to the ground again.”
She gasped and grabbed the front of my shirt. “No, Major! Never fight someone with a knife! He could slice your hand and then your work would—” She paused and then blinked. “Wait. Girlfriend?”
The way she looked at me made my heart almost too big for my chest. I wondered if it would split open and let her see all the love for her that I carried.
“Do you want to be my girlfriend? I shouldn’t use it without asking, but I’m finding it hard to describe our relationship when anyone asks about us. ”
“Oh goodness, same,” she said, her shoulders falling forward with relief. “Boyfriend honestly sounds wrong to my ears, though.”
My heart, which was just too big for my chest, shrank to the size of a walnut. “Help me understand.”
“Boyfriend indicates a casual thing,” she said, waving her hands in the air. “Man, I suck at trying to walk the line between acceptable and clingy.”
“Just speak from your heart without trying to make it pretty. I’m listening.”
As she sat looking at me, I knew whatever she was about to say would either completely shatter me or render me speechless from overwhelming emotion.
“Logically, I know this is a committed relationship now, right?” she asked, and I nodded.
“That’s why it makes sense that we have to decide what to call each other when other people ask.
” She shook her head. “I can’t do this. I can’t make it make sense. We’ll stick with boyfriend.”
The look she gave me revealed how uncomfortable and awkward the conversation made her feel.
I didn’t want that. I stole her lips again and infused the kiss with love, offering a whisper of affection to fill her with an unspoken promise of togetherness no matter the title.
When the kiss ended, I pulled back, and the soft lights of the Christmas tree cast a warm glow across her face, reminding me that she was my goddess and it was my job to make sure she felt secure in the love we shared, even if it was young and new.
“Soulmate,” she whispered, balancing her forehead against mine. “That’s what I want to call you, but I know I’d be laughed out of the diner if I did.”
Grasping her chin, I met her gaze. “My heart just exploded, baby doll. Always, always be honest with me.”
“You don’t believe we’re soulmates, do you? That’s like a silly thing people say but no one believes is real, so they smile as if they do while silently judging you.”
“Wrong,” I promised, taking another kiss from her lips.
“It’s a very real thing. This town is filled with them.
All those Christmas couples ascribed to the gazebo are less about the legend and more about the coming together of two people who were always meant to be.
Maybe the gazebo played a role in their meeting or their courtship, but it was always going to be them, one way or the other. ”
“I agree. Audrey and Alan were a Christmas couple, and look at them all these years later. It must be meant to be to stay together for fifty years.”
“Maybe that will be us fifty years from now,” I whispered with a smile.
“I’d be ancient, but I’d still be a happy man to be holding your hand.
I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going to call you my girlfriend.
” Her eyes widened, and she tried to pull back, but I didn’t allow it.
“When people ask, I’m going to say you’re my soulmate and hopefully one day, my wife. ”
“Wife?” she whisper-asked.
“Would you be open to that somewhere down the road?” I held my breath, afraid that her answer wouldn’t line up with the timeline in my head.
“Very much,” she said, happy tears shining in her eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. This is the perfect time to show you the surprise.” I stood and held out my hand to help her up. “I sent you to the diner to pick up dinner, so I had an hour to take care of some things. Follow me.”