“Oh my goodness.”
I shut the door behind me, then turned to see her staring at the room, her mouth slightly open.The suite was what I’d expected.
“Lucas, this is…” She waved her hand in the air.“Too much for an overnight trip.”
“Probably.”But the cost hadn’t mattered to me.The look on her face was worth it.“I doubt that we’ll use the kitchen area much, but we have our own sauna if we want, plus a jetted tub, a balcony, and just to let you know, this is a twenty-one and over hotel.”I placed our bags on the luggage rack in the corner.
“I…” Valerie walked over to me and gave me a quick kiss.“Thank you.This is great.”
“Do you want to explore or relax?”
“Explore.Please.I saw some cute shops as we drove in.”
“You got it.We can grab some lunch and then decide where we want to go for dinner while you shop.”The smile on her face was addictive.I wanted to make her smile like that and more this weekend.
Chapter Twenty
Valerie
My excitement overflowed when I saw where we were.Leavenworth was a quaint Bavarian-themed town set in the mountains.When Lucas texted me this morning to pack a bag, I never thought in a million years it would be for here.
My slight frustration over him being impatient and not telling me where we were going melted away.I wanted to spend time with him to see if we could pick up where we left off years ago.It looked like tonight we might have the chance.
Heat filled me as we walked hand in hand down the sidewalk.Lucas always held my hand or had a hand at my back to guide me.That hadn’t changed from when we were together before, and now, as it did then, I felt special and protected.
We were in luck with the weather.The sun shone brightly, but because of the elevation, there was a bit of a nip in the air.I hadn’t brought anything warm, only a light jacket, because Lucas hadn’t told me where we were going.
At the corner, Lucas stopped.“Most of the stores are to the left, but there are a few to our right.Which way?”
I looked right and saw a shop that made me think of Christmas.“Right.I want to look in the Christmas shop.”
“Good choice.”Lucas opened the door to the shop for me, and we were greeted by two workers in jeans and bright colored shirts.
Happiness filled me.Christmas everywhere.I adored Christmas.I decorated every year.There was something magical about the season.I tugged my hand from Lucas’ and began walking around the shop, which housed everything from ornaments, villages, and figurines, to home décor.I was in seventh heaven.
Grinning, I reined in my impulse to buy everything and started making mental notes of items that made sense.This store was close enough to the hotel that I could grab them before we left tomorrow.
I reveled in the holiday atmosphere as I made my way to the front of the shop to look at the Christmas tree they’d put up and stopped dead.Oh my goodness.Above the decorated tree was a beautiful hanging leaded glass panel of two wolves in the forest.I stared at it.
That would look great on the wall in my living room; it wouldn’t overwhelm the small space.I’d always loved wolves, and this piece called to me.I looked at the price.Not bad, but should I really be spending that much?I’d think about it.It was so beautiful, and I didn’t want to pass it up.
“Not buying anything?”Lucas asked, coming up to me and looking up.“You’ve always loved wolves.”
“I do.I still have that small wooden carving you gave me.”It had been a total surprise when Lucas had presented me with the wolf carving two months into our relationship.I hadn’t even known he noticed my love of the animal.
“You do?”
“Don’t be surprised.It was a thoughtful gift.As for not buying anything, I can come back before we head back to the hotel.That way I don’t have to carry anything around.”
Lucas shook his head.“I’ll be carrying anything you buy today.”He guided me away from the tree.“Let’s continue.”
We spent the next two hours walking up and down the street, in and out of shops.I’d picked up a few items, and true to his words, Lucas wouldn’t let me carry my purchases.I was so used to doing things on my own, I felt a flash of guilt that was quickly followed by blooming warmth at his gesture.
Suddenly my stomach grumbled.
“I heard that,” Lucas commented.“It’s time for lunch.Breakfast was a while ago.”
“Only if you’re ready to eat.”
