“Okay.” Riley was a shrewd investigator. If he believed it was worth taking another look, then the rest of them probablyhadmissed something. In any case, Lucas was not about to argue with him. Not now and sure as hell not about this.
“I’d like to take another run at the case. Officially.” Riley added dryly, “I mean, assuming I’m back on the docket?”
Lucas winced, “Yes. Of course. Whatever you want. That…thing about reassigning your cases was a-a misstep.”
“I’ll say,” Riley growled.
But something in his expression, that mix of exasperation and understanding gave Lucas hope. He brushed the tips of Riley’s fingers tentatively with his own, and this time Riley did not move away. “Can I give you the letter?”
Riley nodded, but said, “I don’t need the letter, Luc. You’re right. It’s not easy to walk away from someone you love.” His blue eyes met Lucas’ steadily. “I know you’re not where I am in this—”
Lucas closed his eyes in pain, locked arms around Riley, pulling him tight, whispering, “Now,thistime you’re wrong,Special Agent Christopher. I’m with you. I’m with you every step of the way.”
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
“Warm enough?”
“Mm-hm.” Riley stretched lazily, sighed, said contently, “This is nice.” He settled his untidy head more comfortably on Lucas’ bare chest.
“Which part?” Lucas lightly tickled Riley’s ribs, and Riley sucked in a breath. His lashes, gold-tipped crescents on his cheeks, flickered.
“The string of little white lights across the window. That was a nice touch.”
Lucas glanced at the strands of tiny lights stretched across the top of the giant picture windows. Yes, the lights were pretty against the dramatic background of turquoise twilight and snowy mountains. They had been especially pretty last night. He had loved looking at Riley in that gentle sparkling light. “I thought you’d like those.” His hand slid caressingly across Riley’s flat abdomen, smiling faintly as Riley instinctively tightened his muscles. “What else did I get right?”
Riley’s mouth twitched, but he said obligingly, “The Christmas tree. I didn’t expect that.”
“I did the lights and the tree on Sunday.” Lucas’ smile was self-mocking. “I was hoping to lure you back with the promise of Christmas dinner and all the trimmings.”
Lucas had no sentimental attachment to the holidays. Which didn’t explain why it hadn’t occurred to him before to find a compromise between business as usual and going away for Christmas. To put a little effort into creating a festive atmosphere once he knew Riley cared about that kind of thing.
He’d actually kind of enjoyed making his preparations. And he’d have enjoyed it all a lot more if Riley had been there.
Or if he could have convinced himself Riley was coming back.
“Mmm. Christmas dinner,” Riley murmured.
Lucas lifted his head, studying Riley’s peaceful face. “You’re falling asleep?” he accused, but gently.
Riley’s eyes popped opened. “I was hoping. Or are we trying out for theGuinness Book of World Records?”
Lucas grinned. “Maybe after dinner. Would you like your Christmas present now?”
Riley said dreamily, “Didn’t I have that the time before last?”
Lucas laughed, and sat up, tipping him over and into the flannel sheets.
Rileyoophedhis exasperation and glowered as Lucas scrambled out of bed.
He was back shortly, handing over a square white cardboard mailer neatly tied in red ribbon. He handed the envelope to Riley.
Riley studied the envelope, studied Lucas. He said slowly, “You look mighty smug, Lucas.”
Lucas’ heart was beating unexpectedly fast. He said roughly, “Open it.”
Riley, plucked at the ribbon, which slithered off with a silky whisper. He pried up the flap of the stiff envelope, gave it a shake, and out slid out a sleek black envelope.
“Don’t tell me. You bought us matching funeral plots?”
