by C L Bauer
Lily let her out the door and continued to watch her. The frost was still heavy on the grass. Dev had been right about the temperature. It was cold and Mort didn’t seem to appreciate it. What the heck? Did the dog grow up in Miami? Maybe she did. Who knew? The dog was soon at the door, welcoming Lily with a hit of a tail as she ran in.
“When you lay around this house, you really will lay around.” Lily had never had a canine this large and never a German Shepard. She heard Dev’s voice greeting the dog. Her prince was awake. She grabbed another cup of coffee and brought it into him.
“For me?” He was sitting up, reaching for the caffeine.
“Yes, Mort says she only drinks decaf so it must be for you.”
“So you and Mort are talking?” He smiled that obnoxiously cute, devilish grin and then took a drink of coffee. Lily sighed. She needed to make him suffer just a little longer.
“Yes, she and I are talking.”
Dev’s smile faded quickly. He recognized the tone. His mother used to have the same tone, cold and disapproving. “Devlin Anthony”, she used to say calmly, and he knew he was in trouble. He may not know what for, but he sure knew he was. Years later he termed the tone “condescending disdain”.
“I’m still in the dog house?”
Lily took a slow drink of coffee. “Lucky for you I don’t have one.”
“Ouch.” His surprise had definitely backfired. In his thoughts, Lily had been overjoyed to have a dog again. She praised him for remembering she loved dogs. In his mind, he wouldn’t be in trouble because he had been so thoughtful. His consideration would result in a night full of passion, not a night on the couch. In reality, his eyes were searching hers as he took another drink of coffee. Reading Lily was a game he tried to play well; he was losing miserably. And it was their first Thanksgiving together. First? Would there be future ones together? Mea culpe, mea culpe, mea culpe, anything to get out of Lily’s prison.
He sighed and sat back on the sofa. “So, what do I need to do?”
Lily continued to look at him. This is fun making Mr. Cool squirm, she thought, attempting ardently not to smile or to scamper over to him, and hug him desperately. Silence made him terribly uncomfortable. One, two, three, four…
“Oh come on. I was trying to do a good thing for you and for Mort,” Dev relinquished, pointing at the dog. “I didn’t think.”
“No, you didn’t,” Lily added quickly. Mr. Cool was melting faster than the Wicked Witch of the East. She felt quite superior in her defrosting effectiveness. This skill was useful on turkeys and unthinking men. Dev shook his head. He was surrendering.
“You’re right. I should’ve asked you first.” He hung his head. He was twelve again. That had not been a good year or a good feeling for him back then, and it wasn’t today either.
She should’ve only thought of how he was so concerned about her safety, constantly, even when he was miles away doing whatever he did. She should’ve been swooning from the love she was feeling. But instead she was internally dancing like Snoopy with delight. Gotcha, Mr. Cool. She had successfully made him squirm and apologize. Wow, such power.
Be the bigger person, Lily. “Thank you. Mort and I will see how it works out. In the meantime, you need to get her dog food and some treats.”
Mort barked in agreement.
“Is that all? Anything else on my list?” Dev’s thin smile put an end to her iceberg demeanor. Besides, it was Thanksgiving, and he was the man she loved. Yes, loved, God help her.
“Nope. I have dinner under control. Maybe you could drive by the shop to make sure the doors are locked?”
“I am good at security.” He flashed a very large smile and winked.
“So I’ve heard.” She reached down and rubbed Mort’s head. The dog leaned into her slowly. “Mort and I will be watching the Macy’s parade. It’s a tradition here.”
“My tradition is to watch football.”
“We can do that, after dinner. We’ll have to leave for the lights around five if we want to even get near the place. One of my former clients said we can park at her house a few blocks away. Finding parking down there tonight is virtually impossible.”
Dev grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the door. “I know. I’ve heard. I’m actually looking forward to it, and I have a surprise for you. Something I need to ask you.” He calmly walked out of the house leaving Lily with a dog who was now spread out near the couch watching the movement on the television, and Lily’s own questions of what surprise was coming next. If people knew how to make an entrance, Devlin Pierce had the infuriating talent of making an exit. Her mouth was still gaping open. What did he have to ask her? Her heart was beating faster, and it wasn’t from the anticipation of a turkey coma afternoon. Thanksgiving night would never be the same for her.
Chapter Thirteen
They walked four blocks, hand-in-hand, to arrive around the stage area of the event. A very popular Irish band was playing, entertaining, the throng of people as they waited. Dev looked around to take it all in. Actually, he was thinking it was a security nightmare. Top level parking garages were open for the crowd’s access. The balconies of the many hotels and apartments were stuffed with holiday revelers. In his world they were dangerous, perfect perches for an experienced shooter. He shivered. It was time to take the scene in, and turn off his very own Spidey skills. There were couples like Lily and him. There were families with young and old members, some even sporting the same Christmas hats or scarves. A few braver humans wore matching ugly holiday sweaters. Dev had plans for tonight, for just one man and one woman.
Lily squeezed his hand. “Look, they just picked a child to turn on the lights with the mayor. I think that’s a Royals’ catcher on stage too.” She was looking straight up into his eyes. At that moment, he saw something in her; he knew how special she really was. Her face was glowing, perfect soft skin. Her hair was shining tonight and without the humidity of the summer, it embraced her face. With her scarf, gloves and long coat, Lily would fit in anywhere. He knew he didn’t want a life without her. Every visit became harder, harder to leave her side. He just wanted to stand by her, to be near her, to be with her.
“They’re beginning, Dev,” she yelled over the noise.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…
In one second the lights flooded the sky around them. Fireworks erupted above, spotlighting the crowd below. Dev had collected a couple of the postcards depicting the Christmas lights on all the buildings on his daily runs last year, but his vision of the reality had been lacking. The energy of the colors was palpable. The warmth wasn’t just from a packed-like-sardines crowd but from the joy surrounding everyone. A high school chorus and jazz band were entertaining and the Irish band was joining them in a holiday song. Sights, sounds, the smell of coffee, and cinnamon were overloading his senses. Couples were kissing; parents were hugging children; a soldier was kissing his girl.
The young man was kissing her fiercely, perhaps a last kiss before he left? He probably would be gone for the holidays. Dev knew that feeling. He hated that feeling. He looked over at Lily, her eyes bright from the light. She was wiping away tears, but she was smiling in awe. She held his hand tighter.
Dev couldn’t allow the moment to flee. He pulled her around him, turning her into his arms. “Merry Christmas, darling.”
Lily seemed stunned, looking at his lips until he covered hers for a long, bold kiss. He moved her against his body. They were still separated by two layers of heavy winter coats and sweaters. When they finally broke apart, they both took in a deep breath and smiled.
“You know, you’re my first.”
Dev did a double take. “What?”
“Being kissed here on Thanksgiving night.”
Lily suddenly realized what he had been thinking and felt her face grow warm. She leaned against him again and looked up into his face. “I always wanted a moment like this. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, really.” They shared
a laugh and watched the band take over the stage. Some of the crowd remained for the show, others dispersed, and more were adding their car lights to the display as they moved inch by inch in the mammoth traffic jam.
He looked at his watch. “Let’s go get some Irish coffee.” She nodded affirmatively as he grabbed her hand and moved through the packed crowd.
Dev knew where he needed to go, and it was only a couple of blocks before he found the café with the fire pit. “You going to be warm out here?” he asked as he pulled a chair for her at the table for two in the courtyard.
She could feel the warmth from the fire. “I’m fine. It feels great.” From her view, Lily could see The Intercontinental Hotel, its lights lining the entire structure. The reflection of all the buildings on the north side sparkled in Brush Creek, doubling the beauty.
Lily ordered an Irish coffee and Dev chose a bourbon. They seemed enveloped in the light, by the fire, the Christmas decorations and the hurricane lamp on the small wrought iron table. Lily swore Dev’s eyes were sparkling. He had the prettiest eyes and the lushest eyelashes. Many women would kill for them, and many a mother would forgive a young son with those attributes. He held her hand across the table.
This was magic. All her doubts suddenly faded. It was just the two of them. She wanted this man in her life, in her arms, and in her bed as she fell asleep every night. She’d never had a time like this. It would be cheesy to say time was standing still. If it was, Lily was having swiss or brie!
Dev was saying something, his mouth moving, but she was caught up in the warmth of the two of them together as a couple, until she saw the flash.
Lily blinked twice, briefly blinded by some sort of hard light, maybe from a passing car. She took in a deep breath when she saw him walking by on the corner. Garrett Notte stared at her, smiled like a Cheshire cat, raised his hand to his lips, and blew her a kiss. Dressed in a Burberry coat with a black and grey plaid muffler, his smugness made her sick to her stomach.
The magic and the heavenly light was replaced by evil and the darkness of hell. She shuddered. If she told Dev the evening would be over. She’d have to shake it off, ignore the fear. No, Lord, not tonight.
“Lily, are you listening?”
She heard Dev’s voice, and it brought her out of the fog.
“Um, sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew. What were you saying?”
Dev suspiciously analyzed her response. Something was suddenly very wrong. She’d pulled her hand away from his on the table and seemed to be shivering. Perhaps the cold? Maybe something else? Did she somehow suspect they wouldn’t be together for Christmas? This night had been so perfect but now? The horse drawn carriage pulled up in front of their table.
“You know, I have to get to work early tomorrow morning. We should head home and check on the dog,” Lily suggested. She couldn’t tell him, she wouldn’t tell him she had just seen Garrett.
What the hell? “Not yet. The dog will be fine. She’s trained besides we have our ride here.”
Lily looked up. She’d been studying her mug, averting her eyes from Dev’s all-knowing skills. She saw the carriage. “Our ride?”
“Yes, come on.”
He took her by the hand and led her to their ride. “Are you kidding me? How did you get a carriage on Thanksgiving night?”
“I’ve become very organized since meeting you. I pre-plan everything.” He helped her onto the seat.
He pulled the blanket over their legs and presented her with a red rose.
“Where did you get that?”
“It came with the carriage. I know, a rose for a florist, sorry.”
She snuggled next to his shoulder. “Don’t be sorry. Thank you. It’s very sweet. Tonight has been more than I’ve ever dreamed.” She was emotional. He was so tender, so caring. Her stomach was churning. Her tears of fear were ruining a night she wanted to remember for the rest of her life. Stop it, Lily, don’t ruin this, don’t make him turn away.
The ride began. No amount of drink could be more intoxicating. They held hands under the blanket and Dev’s other arm was around her shoulders. Thank you, God, for this man. The lights seemed brighter, the reds redder, the greens greener, the golds golder. They drove past her favorite red-lit tower. Experiencing the beginning of the holidays with the man she loved was overwhelming. He made her breathless. Until she thought about Garrett. Stop it, Lily, don’t ruin this. Don’t let that man take one second of happiness away from you. She closed her eyes to make his image disappear. Grasp this happiness, Lily.
Dev sensed her body tightening. “Are you alright? You seemed to change back at the café.”
She looked up into his eyes. “No, maybe a little tired. I’ve never had to act like a girlfriend for more than two hours at a time, mister. I’ve maxed out with you.”
Dev laughed loudly. “So sorry. I’m really going to blow it for you now.”
He leaned down the six inches and touched her lips softly, retreated and then deepened his kiss. He now held her completely in his embrace.
Lily felt safe. He’d kissed all thoughts of evil away with his passion. She could stay like this; she could live like this. She wouldn’t give up everything for him, but she’d consider it if he asked. By the way, what was he going to ask her? And when?
“Lily,” he whispered against her mouth. “I care so much about you. I need to ask you something.”
She drew her head back, smiling. Finally.
“Yes?”
And his cell phone buzzed. Dev uttered some profanity that was not an English word, but she knew profanity when she heard it. The cell was still buzzing.
“I have to take this. I’m so sorry.”
She slid out of his embrace as he answered the phone. She stared at the pedestrians; they were envious of her. Little did they know.
“Yes, sir. Yes, sir.” Dev looked down at his watch. “I can be there by nine. Wheeler Airport, yes sir.”
Alert, alert, Cinderella, your carriage has just become a pumpkin, Lily thought. Magic was highly overrated. It was that feeling of when you first see the castle at Walt Disney World. It’s pure joy. By the end of the day that euphoria has passed, replaced with sore feet and a sweaty body. You’d eventually get that magical feeling back once you were at the hotel, in the air conditioning. She had the sinking feeling that the night was over.
Dev put his phone away before facing her. “I am so sorry, Lily. It’s an emergency. I’m catching a plane at the downtown airport.”
Lily attempted a smile. “What airline?”
“The government kind. I wanted everything to be perfect for us tonight.”
She placed her gloved hand up against his mouth. “We can have other nights like this, right?”
He let out a breath. “I sure hope so. I want us to have other nights like this, but I want them to last much longer.”
“Then we will. I’ll put it on my list of things to do.”
His laughter was nervous. This wasn’t the time to ask her anything. The moment was gone. He talked to the driver. They headed a couple blocks before they got out and walked back to the car.
Once at home, Dev walked Mort and then packed his bag quickly. Lily sat on the couch, remaining in her winter coat.
“I’m ready.” She grabbed her car keys and purse and got up. Dev grabbed her by the arm gently. “Everything will be fine. This case will be over. My life will be normal again with office stuff, training, and paperwork. There’ll be more time for us. I promise. Hopefully, there’ll come a time when you’re not involved in any craziness or my job.”
She pulled him closer by his lapels. “I’m waiting for that day breathlessly.”
As she hugged him, Lily could see the rose setting on the dining room table. She needed to put it in water. She would cry over it later after she left him.
“We need to get you downtown.” She pulled away to head outside.
Dev winced. When would they be together? When could they be? Different cities, crazy schedules, cr
iminals, and brides created a huge abyss. Each lived on their own island. There didn’t seem to be a bridge built to join them. A man could only take so many cold showers before he went somewhere else. But he only wanted to be in one place, beside Lily, with Lily, loving Lily.
Chapter Fourteen
After Dev’s departure, it wasn’t hard to come in early to the shop and get to work on Saturday’s wedding. Mort was nosing around every inch, smelling this flower and that plant. Lily had looked over the dog’s records and discovered that her real name was Morticia. She was considered “sweet” and “unacceptable” for the DEA. The dog could smell the drugs but she wouldn’t attack on order. She would snarl and bark but she just wasn’t a soldier. She was a lover. She also slept with her new owner last night. Lily had cried, and Mort had pawed her face softly, her attempt at comfort.
Mort barked. Lily heard the shop door open. She peered around the door frame. It was Abby. “Hey, I thought you were meeting Jeremy’s parents. What are you doing here?”
Abby stopped as she saw the German Shepherd approaching. “What is that?” She was pointing and backing away toward the door.
Lily came out and nuzzled Mort’s ears. She immediately sat at her feet. “This is a dog, a security dog that Dev thought I needed for, yes, security. She flunked out of DEA school.”
Abby looked down at the dog and smiled. “He brought you a drop out?”
“Yep. She can smell drugs but won’t attack. But she looks scary.”
Abby reached down cautiously and petted Mort’s head. She immediately crawled closer to Abby. “You are a sweet girl. What’s her name?”
Lily headed back to the work room. “Her name is Mort, Morticia, but Dev thought it was hysterical that Mort is the name of the sheriff with Jessica Fletcher and she was a surprise, a gift.”
“Yikes. She’s a big gift.”
Lily laughed. “And she leaves behind very large gifts. I’ve never had a dog this large, but she did keep me warm last night in bed.”
