by Jodie Becker
Erica smiled and cupped his cheek. “It’s okay. I wanted it. Wanted you.”
Dylan swallowed hard. “I love you.”
“Come home with me.”
He kissed her with all the love he felt in his being. “With you, I’m always home.”
Epilogue
It’d been three months since he’d returned home and life couldn’t be better. The town eventually moved on to other things to occupy their time and Dylan found a confidante in Erica. She soothed his pain over the loss of his mother and the demise of his relationship with his sister. She reminded him of all the good he’d tried to do and the good he could do in the future. He’d found his soul mate and Dylan couldn’t imagine his life without her.
After a few debates, Erica had moved in with him. He’d honestly had much preferred to move in with her since it was her childhood home, but Erica seemed fixated on all the work he did on his cottage and wanted him to feel it was truly his. No amount of arguing would change her mind and he folded.
Ruby had moved into Erica’s house and decided to take an apprenticeship at the local bakery, an occupation she seemed to excel in. She’d yet to master Erica’s famous brownies and Dylan suspected Erica’s secret ingredient was love. He glanced at Erica, who fiddled in the seat beside him. The drive home from their date was filled with a tension he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
Erica blinked up at him. “No. Nothing’s wrong.”
Dylan knew that owlish look anywhere and he chuckled. “No, something is up. You can’t keep a secret to save your life.”
She smirked. “You might be surprised.”
He nodded dubiously. “Sure.”
As he pulled into the driveway he noticed the lights were on and balloons were strung up on the porch. He leaned over the wheel. “What the hell?”
Erica exited the vehicle and stood before the hood and waved him out. He stepped out and accepted her hand, allowing her to drag him around the side of the house. “What’s going on, Erica?”
They turned the corner and he faltered at the amount of people in their backyard. It was at least half the town. The smell of barbequed meat and wood fire filled the air. A banner ran along the gazebo, words written in bold letters. HAPPY HOUSEWARMING.
Bill slipped from the crowd, a “Kiss the Chef” apron tied around his waist and tongs in his hand. “You hankering for the best steak in the US?”
Dylan chuckled. “Bill, you knew about this?”
Bill nodded. “It was all Erica’s doing. She thought you deserved a proper housewarming.”
Dylan brought Erica into his side and kissed her forehead. “Thanks, peaches.”
A becoming blush washed over her cheeks. “You’re welcome.”
He looked around at the people who came to celebrate the completion of his house. He spotted Bryce and Max talking with Ruby and Tammy. His eyes widened at the sight. “You invited Bryce and Max?”
Erica shrugged. “They’re your friends. This wouldn’t be a party without friends and family around.”
The joy inside him dimmed a bit. “Yeah,” he intoned flatly.
Erica grasped his hand. “Come on, sourpuss. I have something that might cheer you.”
Contrite for his onerous turn, he squeezed her hand. “I don’t need any cheering, babe. This is great.”
Erica tugged him up the back porch. “Indulge me.”
He grinned. “All right.”
Inside, the house was empty and he suspected Erica might have something waiting for him upstairs. He pulled her into his body, her back against his front. He nibbled her ear. “I hope it’s naughty.”
She giggled and swatted his arm. “Behave.”
“Are you going to put me in detention?”
“Dylan, please, this is embarrassing.”
He licked her neck. “Why? It’s just us.”
“Actually…it isn’t,” another woman said.
Dylan stiffened, unable to believe his ears. He knew that voice and feared to look up and have all his hopes dashed. “Erica?” he whispered, fear and uncertainty making his voice break.
Her fingers caressed his arm. “It’s okay.”
He looked up and found Becks just beyond the threshold. Absently he noticed Erica remove herself from his embrace, his focus on Becks. His sister was here. Was this even real? She looked different from when he’d seen her last. There was a maturity about her that wasn’t there before and she’d filled out into a woman. He’d missed all this.
A wave of emotion hit him square in the chest. “Becks?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“What are you doing here?”
She pursed her lips and he wanted to take back his words. He should be glad she was here, not confused. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m just surprised is all.”
“That’s okay.”
He indicated her clothes. “You look nice.”
Wow, this was more awkward than he thought it would be. He searched for Erica, hoping she could save him from drowning. She clasped his outstretched hand and his world returned to normal.
“You have a really nice girlfriend there,” Becks said. “She called me up awhile back and I have to say she’s real persistent.”
Dylan grinned. “Yeah, she can be. I’m learning to just fold whenever she gets something in her head.”
Becks stared at him, as though she could read the answers she sought on his face. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“What for?”
“For not understanding. Erica told me what you did for me and I feel real bad for the way I treated you.”
Dylan abandoned Erica at the sight of his sister’s distress and wrapped her in his arms. “It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair.
Becks shook her head and hugged him tighter. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Dylan eased away from her. “Mom didn’t want you to stress about it. We had to come up with the money and I found a way.”
“But I treated you like crap for it. You could’ve told me.”
Dylan raised a brow. If he knew anything about his sister, she was stubborn. “Would you have listened?”
Becks grimaced. “Probably not. Still, I hate knowing that I wasted three years being mad over something that I shouldn’t have been.”
“But we have the rest of our lives.”
Becks sniffled. “Yeah. And you can bet I’ll be around more often.”
Dylan smiled. “I look forward to it, sis.”
Becks squeezed his hand and stepped back. “I have a burger out there with my name on it.”
Dylan chuckled. “I bet.”
As she sauntered out she paused at the doorway and looked back at him. “Don’t let her go, Dylan. She’s a keeper.”
Dylan stared into the eyes of the woman who gave him everything his heart desired. “I won’t.”
And that was a promise he could keep.
The End
About the Author
I believe in love and redemption. I really do. And that’s probably why I write romance. Sure, I tried my hand at epic fantasy and literary pieces, but you know, my passion remained with romance. My *virtual* bookshelf is overflowing with them. With so many sub-genres, I can go anywhere—and I do! So it’s no surprise that I find myself comfortable here.
I’ll write anything that tickles my fancy, from the sassy contemporary all the way to the dark urban fantasy. As long as there is romance, I’m a happy camper.
Jodie welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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