“How would you know?” I asked, surprised.
She chuckled. “I’ve seen the way he watches you when you’re not looking. Like you’re some kind of miracle he can’t quite believe is real.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. Had Diego really looked at methat way? I remembered how he’d touched me in the hotel room, with a reverence that made me feel both vulnerable and powerful at the same time. How he’d whispered my name like a prayer.
“I don’t know what to do,” I confessed.
“You don’t have to decide everything right this minute,” Dolly said gently. “Go upstairs, get cleaned up, take a nap. Things have a way of looking clearer after a hot shower and some rest.”
I nodded, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was. “Thanks, Aunt Dolly.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” She straightened up as she gave me a wink. “And if you decide you want to have a little more happiness in your life, you let me know. I’ve got an idea on how to create a little bit of Christmas magic for the two of you.”
The thought made me shudder, but in a good way. I wasn’t sure I believed in such a thing, but maybe a little Christmas magic was what I needed.
Chapter 19
Diego
“That’s the fourth time you’ve looked out the window in the past five minutes,” Lucas said from across the table. He was nursing his coffee and munching on the extra bacon left from our breakfast. “He’s not out there.”
“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s… It’s just been three days, and I haven’t heard from him. I’m startin’ to worry.”
“He’s fine,” Beau assured me. “I saw him around the diner yesterday when I dropped off Dolly’s order. It looked like he was busy helpin’ her out with things.”
“You really like him, don’t you?” Lucas asked. “Like, alot.”
I let out a long sigh, knowing there was no point in denying it. I’d been acting like a lovesick puppy since we’d gotten back from Amarillo. It was hard to concentrate on anything, especially my job, when all I could think about was Hayden.
“I do,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “Probably more than I should.”
Mabel, who’d been quietly washing dishes at the kitchen counter, turned around with a knowing smile. “I could’ve told you that the day you two met. You couldn’t take your eyes off him.”
“Was I that obvious?” I groaned, dropping my head into my hands.
“Like a neon sign in the desert,” Lucas laughed, reaching across the table to pat my arm. “But it’s cute. I haven’t seen you this worked up over someone since... well, ever.”
“It’s not just that he’s gorgeous,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “Though he is. It’s everything about him. The way he tries to act all tough but then gets excited about the smallest things. How he pretends not to care what people think but then blushes when someone compliments him. Those damn freckles...”
“We know,” Beau chuckled. “You’ve mentioned the freckles. Several times.”
I felt my face heat up. “Sorry. I’m being ridiculous.”
“No, you’re being smitten,” Lucas corrected. “And it’s about time. I was starting to think you were immune to romance.”
“I wasn’t immune,” I protested. “Just careful.”
Mabel set a fresh cup of coffee in front of me. “There’s nothing wrong with being careful, Diego. But sometimes the heart wants what it wants.”
“And mine apparently wants a stubborn, snarky California boy who’s leaving in a week,” I sighed, wrapping my hands around the warm mug.
“Unless he doesn’t,” Lucas said with that scheming look I’d come to recognize.
“Don’t,” I warned. “No more of your meddling. I think that’s what scared him off in the first place.”
Lucas held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. No meddling.”
“Speaking of the diner,” Mabel said, wiping her hands on a dish towel, “Dolly called earlier. Said she needs some help with a big project. Something about rearranging the storeroom and putting up more decorations for the Christmas Eve party tomorrow night.”
