by Dawn Eastman
Lucan mouthed a thank-you to me. Vi had been peppering him with questions about surveillance techniques and the best way to tail a suspect.
Seth was due to start school at Crystal Haven High after the break and he sounded like he was looking forward to it. He’d stopped texting Faith after a falling-out over musical tastes. Grace still hadn’t told me what was happening in New York, but agreed that Seth could stay through at least the winter holiday to give the new school situation a try.
Alex and Josh brought baked goods. Tom had promised to stop by after a dinner with his own family.
Mac and I escaped into the backyard with the dogs, leaving the noisy party behind for a moment. He pulled me in for a kiss.
Then he took my hand and said, “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” I said.
He stopped pulling, and turned toward me.
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Then stop asking questions. Let’s go.”
He pulled me through the backyard into the neighbor’s yard and down the street. It was a glorious crisp day with a hint of snow in the air. We ran down the street laughing like kids.
We arrived at my house out of breath.
“Check the tree,” he said.
I smiled. Mac used to leave messages in the tree in my front yard almost every day the first time we’d dated.
“A note?”
He shook his head, and gestured at the tree.
I put my hand inside and felt a plastic bag with an envelope inside. I pulled it out and found two tickets to Mexico.
“Oh, Mac. This is great.” I scanned the tickets. “When do we leave?”
“Well, not until February, when we’ll really appreciate getting away from the snow.”
I put my arms around him and kissed him. “This is a great surprise. Thank you.”
I started to walk back toward my parents’ house, but he caught my hand.
“Maybe we should put those inside where it’s safe.”
I smiled. “Maybe we should.”
We ran up the steps and into the house. I had barely set the tickets down before I was in his arms.
He kissed my neck, and his hands followed the heat that ran down my spine. His voice was soft when he said, “I think we’re alone now.”
