Chapter 16Two days later, I descended the stairs again into Myles’ waiting arms. However, this time I moved with a bit more graceful and was dressed fancier. How Penny had known to pack my black skirt, gold sweater, and heels, I didn’t know. She didn’t return after work that day. She’d simply called to check on me and made some lame excuse as to needing to clean out her closets. Then, she’d called everyday to see how things were going. Myles claimed she’d give Lucy a run for a money on match making.
Myles had postponed the surprise involving his team until tonight. As I hobbled down the stairs, butterflies fluttered in my stomach. They went well with the ache in my side.
“Ready?” Myles asked, taking my arm.
“You tell me.”
“You look stunning.”
“That’s not what I meant. This is the first time I’ll be meeting your family.”
“My fam—Oh, yes, I guess that’s true.” He opened the door for me.
I stopped on the front porch and gasped. A limo sat waiting at the end of the walk.
“What is this?”
“We’re taking a ride in the stars tonight. A special Christmas lights tour.” He ushered me down the sidewalk, and the limo driver held the door. Inside, I recognized the two agents from the other night which I’d figured were Jack and Bobby. I could easily place the others, partially by whom they sat by, and partially by all the things Myles had told me about them.
I slid next to Lucy. She grabbed my arm. “Girlfriend, we need to have a nice long talk. The things I can tell you.”
Myles shot her a warning look, and I giggled. “I’d like that.”
“Don’t worry, Myles. I’ll keep the bad stuff to a minimum.”
“Thanks, Luce.”
As we ate pizza inside the limo, I met them each in turn. Sue was as sweet as I thought she’d be, but I didn’t know how she resisted those eyes of Jack’s. Gracious. She must be stronger than she looked. Bobby lived up to his Bureau reputation as charming, and his accent was dreamy.
I loved Tara, a kindred spirit of sorts, and looked forward to spending more time with her. When had I come to thinking of a future with Myles?
“Alex, did Myles tell you about the time he started taking vitamins?” Bobby asked.
Tara elbowed him. “Remember, you promised. No Myles stories.”
“It’s okay, Tara.” Myles draped his arm around me. “I have just as many about Koala Boy if he wants to play that game. Even some you don’t know about.”
The banter between the two men continued and I laughed until my sides hurt. Well, given my current physical condition, that didn’t take long.
The limo driver took to our first stop—the Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple. The driver explained it contained 450,000 lights. While I found it breath taking, it was the live nativity scene which brought tears to my eyes. I noticed it did the same to Sue.
We drove through the illuminated capital, stopping at the National Christmas tree. I took a picture on my cell phone to send home. I could hardly believe I was seeing it in person.
Our final stop was the Winter Lights Festival at Seneca State Park. Themed areas welcomed us. A Victorian Village, a Winter Wonderland, a Teddy Bear Land, and even a North Pole. Myles had the driver stop at the Wizard of Oz display, and the two of us got out. No one seemed surprised.
We walked out of the limo’s view until we were beneath large hot air balloon.
“Remember what happened here in the movie?” he asked.
“Dorothy clicked her heels and went home.”
“Try it.”
I stared up into Myles eyes, dark in the night, his face illuminated by the bright lights on the balloon. I licked my lips. “I don’t know if I want to go home anymore.”
He cupped my cheek, stroking it with his thumb. “I love you, Alex Walton, but you’re going to spoil my Christmas gift.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” He dipped his head, and with infinite care, kissed me until my body melted into his in sweet oblivion. The fire of his first kiss consumed me like twigs on a bon fire.
He pulled back. “Maybe we should both click our heels and go home to Kansas together.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I believe I have something to ask your father.”
My head shouted, “It’s too soon.”
My heart whispered, “Not really.”
He kissed me again and my heart soared. I loved this man. It scared me to death, but I did.
When the kiss broke, I took a deep breath and listened to my heart. “I love you, too, Myles Leland the Third. When do we leave?”
The End16,924 Words - Guess it wasn't a short story after all.
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