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“Yes,” she replies, and for some reason I’m relieved. “It’s why I said you can come shopping with me, and why Leslie took her shopping for a tree. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I take her shopping for a wedding gown, though. Neither you nor Leslie can come along for that.”
I mull it over, and reply, “I’ll have my guy on you and Luna for the day tomorrow, while you’re shopping for her dress. That way your tail keeps an eye on Brantley, and mine keeps an eye on you and Luna while you’re in town.” I’m impressed by Adaline’s forethought and decisiveness, she’s far craftier than I could have anticipated.
Adaline nods, and in the next breath, changes the subject. Asking aboutmyfamily. It’s not a topic I particularly like talking about, but it’s Adaline’s way of getting to know me better and I’d like to give her the peace of mind that I’m not a monster. We talk for a while, and I tell her about my parents, my sister, how I came to care for Liv, my time as a SEAL and how I ended up settling down with a bar in Tallulah Falls. She is about to say something when my phone rings, and I smile when I see it’s Luna.
“Hey, babe. What’s up?”
The wind whips around in the background, but I hear her clearly when she says, “We need some help with the tree.” There’s amusement in her voice, so I put her on speaker. Adaline and I both chuckle when we hear Leslie throwing curses around in the background. “Can you swing by the tree lot? We need another set of strong arms to lift the tree I chose onto Dad’s truck.”
I shake my head, amused. “Let me get your mom home, help her unpack the car, then I’ll meet you at the lot to help. Send me the address. I should be there within the hour.”
I hear the smile in her voice when she says, “You’re the best, thanks, babe. Love you.”
I clear my throat, aware that Adaline’s gaze is on me. ““Love you too.”
We hang up, and I find Adaline regarding me. Not with the hardness in her gaze from before, but with something much, much softer. “You really do love her.”
I nod. “I really do.”
We finish our coffee, and I drive Adaline home, helping her unpack her shopping bags before I take the drive to the tree lot.
Chapter Six: Tree lots & Ghosts
Luna
Aiden pulls into the tree lot a little while later in Mom’s little BMW, and I smother a laugh when he has to unfold his large body from the car. He ambles over, and because I can, I skip over to him and throw my arms around his neck, planting a loud kiss on his lips.
“Nice to see you too,” he chuckles, tapping my butt.
I point over my shoulder. “Dad needs help. Want me to wait?”
He shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. “Take your mom’s car home, we'll get the tree sorted.”
“My hero,” I sigh, walking alongside him to where my dad is standing next to his truck. I kiss my dad on the cheek, and tell him I’ll see him at home before walking to my mom’s car, and sliding in. It smells like Aiden. I watch the two most important men in my life try and figure out how they’re going to get the tree atop Dad’s truck and laugh to myself. I slowly drive out of the lot, and head towards my parents’ house. I turn the button on the radio, ready to sing along to all the Christmas songs, when I spot a black Lexus SUV behind me. I don’t recognize the plates, but the model, yes. And it sends a shiver up my spine. It can’t be Brantley, even though I know he still lives in the area. However, there’s no way he knows I’m home. Right? I return my gaze to the road, squeezing the steering wheel tighter when I take a left, and the black Lexus follows me. Unease settles in my gut, but as soon as I turn in the direction of my parent’s house, it drives past. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and chastise myself for being so paranoid. I park Mom’s car in the driveway, and hop out, sure to lock it before I walk inside. Mom’s unpacking her shopping bags in the kitchen, her brow furrowed in thought.
“Hey, Mom.”
Her head whips up, and she smiles. “Hi, baby. Aiden helping your dad?”
“Yes. I chose the biggest tree I could find, and Daddy couldn’t get it onto the truck. “I shrug. “How was shopping with Aiden?”
I start unpacking everything Mom bought, delighted that she got all my favorites.
“It was good,” Mom replies easily. “I really like him, Luna. He’s a good man, and I can see he loves you.”
“Does that mean he gets your stamp of approval?” I warned him that Mom is the tough one, and I’m not sure he believed me. Dad’s approval is one thing, but Mom’s is something else entirely.
“He sure does.” She rummages around in her shopping bags, and mutters, “Shoot.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She shakes her head, a smile fixed to her face. “I forgot to get a few things on my shopping list. Will you be okay here while I take a quick drive to the store?”
“Sure,” I reply. “I can start preparing dinner while you’re out.” She grabs her purse, and passes me, kissing my cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
I hear the door shut and go about setting out the ingredients I’ll need to make dinner. A few minutes later, I hear a car pull into the driveway, and assume it’s my dad and Aiden with the tree. And I think nothing of it when the doorbell chimes because I know I’ll need to open the door for them with such a large tree.
I walk over to the door, smile on my face, and open.
