And that was it. That was the extent of what Riley had to say. To Lucas at least. Presumably, he’d said more during his CISM debriefing.
The med center held him for observation for forty-eight hours to ensure no lingering cardiac or neurological issues resulted from the prolonged hypothermia, and then he’d been released to recover from the concussion at home.Homebeing Lucas’ chalet because no way in hell was Lucas about to leave Riley to his own resources—or alone with those memories. In fact, Lucas had gone so far as to work from home for the first three days of Riley’s recovery.
“You don’t think this is liable to cause some comment?” Riley himself had commented as Lucas helped him up the stairs to the bedroom that first day.
“What the hell do I care what people think?” Lucas had growled, whereupon Riley had tripped over the next step. Which surely proved that Lucas was right about not leaving him on his own to recuperate.
In any case, Riley made a quick recovery, and it had been an unexpected gift getting to spend that extra time together, especially once Riley began to feel better. Which was another reason why his suggestion that Lucas wouldn’t go on vacation even if he could, felt unjustified.
But it really wasn’t about vacation time. And if he had something else on his mind, he’d say so. Riley was not the guy to hem and haw. The more Lucas brooded over the events of the past days, the more convinced he was that what Riley was really asking for was proof that he was noticed and appreciated.
That was fair. Lucas knew—had it on good authority—that he was not good at expressing his feelings, and he was even worse at romantic gestures, doing the little things that made a partner feel special and…and cherished. In his previous relationships, the word “terrible” had come up more than once, usually around Valentine’s Day or birthdays. His relationship with Riley had lasted longer than any of those previous relationships, and Riley had never used the word “terrible,” never seemed anything but pleased (or maybe amused) when Lucas showed thoughtfulness by picking up a pint of Riley’s favorite ice cream or bought him a book he’d mentioned wanting to read. Riley had certainly been pleased, or maybe a little shocked, when Lucas had sprung for that Canada Goose Snow Mantra Parka last Christmas. But California Boy Riley felt Idaho’s winters keenly, and keeping him from freezing his ass off was Lucas’ way of showing he cared.
Because he did care.
Riley was better at all of that stuff. To start with, herememberedspecial occasions. Lucas tended to forget non-work-related big dates unless he was staring at them on his calendar. Riley chose nice cards and wrote brief but thoughtful messages. He’d cook Lucas’ favorite meal or buy a special massage oil or get a gift card to some place Lucas loved but would never splurge on for himself.
So, it was natural that Riley might feel like there was some inequity in the currency of their relationship. Not that Riley was transactional. Lucas had never met anyonelesstransactional. Honestly, Lucas wouldn’t have thought Rileycared for big romantic gestures, but everybody,everybody, wanted to feel that they were seen and appreciated. That much, Lucas had learned from years of managing a team of diverse and competitive high achievers. Everybody wanted theirattaboy.
It was understandable that, after the accident, Riley might feel differently about some things. Lucas wasn’t stupid. He knew how to use a day planner. Scheduling all the dates that might be important to Riley would be his first order of business in the new year.
Secondly, he would schedule a week of vacation for Riley next Christmas. If Riley wanted to stay in Silver Pine, well, that would be ideal. But if he wanted to go see his family and friends back on the West coast, Lucas could live with that. So long as Riley came home.
Thirdly…
Well, he was going to have to give some thought to thirdly. Something special and unexpected. A gesture to show that he did see and appreciate and love Riley.
But what?
Lucas sipped his coffee, brooding over the possibilities of thirdly as he stared out the window at the mist-shrouded mountains.
3 Days to Christmas
Lucas recentered the towering floral arrangement on Riley’s tidy desk, took a step back to assess, and then stepped forward to re-recenter the elaborate edifice of red roses, candy canes, fresh holly berries, sprigs of snow-dusted juniper, and a bunch of unknown other flowers, all crammed into a large hand-painted ceramic sleigh.
He smiled in grim satisfaction.
The thing was ridiculous, but there could be no doubt that anyone willing to purchase that exorbitantly-priced monument to conspicuous Christmas consumerism was clearly crazy about the recipient. Or possibly just crazy. But yeah, in this case, crazy about the recipient.
Also unable under pressure to come up with a better idea.
The finishing touch was a small, ivory envelope tied discreetly to a rose stem with a crimson silk ribbon. Inside the envelope, a simple card readGuess who?in Lucas’ tidy, tiny block print.
Was there something he’d forgotten? He couldn’t help feeling he was missing something.
He’d had no word from Riley since Saturday night, and by now he was genuinely worried and feeling a little reckless. Hence this three-foot high, very expensive apology-in-greenery. Hopefully, Riley would be able to see the message hidden behind all the shrubbery:I’m sorry. I love you. I miss you.
Lucas gave the arrangement one final twitch and retreated to his office to wait.
Riley was late.
Well, no. Technically he was not late. But usually, typically, even on the rare nights he didn’t stay at Lucas’, he arrived at the office early. The fact that he arrived after Rainy—Lorraine Hunsakerto, their civilian administrative specialist (i.e., receptionist and unofficial den mother of the Silver Pine RA)—seemed a bad sign to Lucas.
He was in the midst of typing up the finalized version of his resource requests when he heard the muted sound of the security door. A moment later he heard Rainy’s cheery greeting and Riley’s response.
Just that. Just the sound of Riley’s quiet, pleasant voice seemed to flip a switch inside Lucas. He could feel himself lighting up. He waited, hoping that just maybe Riley might swing by his office first, just to sayhey, just to reassure Lucas he was worrying about nothing.
But no.
