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My Neighbor, the Assassin

Page 119

by Michelle Heard

“It’s official.” She gives me a playful grin as she stares at the card in her hands. “How does it feel to be married, Mr. Reid Callahan?”

Shaking my head, I let out a chuckle. “Good, but I promise we’ll have a quiet ceremony once we’re home.”

“Oh.” Her eyes go wide as saucers. “You want a wedding?”

“Not a wedding.” Reaching the cab, I open the back door and wait for Ana to get in before taking a seat beside her. I lean forward and give the driver the next address to take us to, then turn my attention back to Ana. “Just us sharing our vows.”

I lift my arm, and she snuggles into my side, saying, “I’d like that too.”

Ana

As Reid steers the Jeep from the airfield toward Máncora, I enjoy the view of the ocean while taking deep breaths of the salt in the air.

My eyes lock on the town that’s our new home, and my heart clenches.

Finally.

Fishing boats rest by the shoreline, and there are palm trees everywhere. I notice a narrow road with buildings, people, and more scooters than cars, and assume that’s where most of the stores will be situated.

Farther inland, the streets rise into dry hills dotted with houses.

Reid keeps driving toward Las Pocitas, and the houses thin out along the beach, some sitting right on the sand while others are situated along dirt roads.

God, it’s so peaceful here.

The shoreline opens up, and Reid slows the Jeep down as we near a house.

Sitting straighter, my gaze locks on our home, and I begin to feel emotional as I take in everything.

There’s a low stone wall and a gate that appears to be made of driftwood. From the outside, the house looks simple and cozy, with palm trees scattered around the yard and along the beach.

It looks like the perfect place someone might rent for a summer vacation.

He pulls up the driveway, and switching off the engine, there’s an easygoing smile on his face as he says, “Welcome home, my light.”

The emotion wells in my chest, and as we get out and I walk with Reid to our front door, I try to breathe through the urge to cry so I don’t burst out in tears.

He unlocks the door and pushes it open, then waits for me to enter first.

As I step into our home, my eyes dart around. He wasn’t lying when he said we’d have to get furniture.

Glancing at the open space, I instantly start picturing what kind of decor I would like and where the perfect spot would be for comfy couches.

Windows run along the wall, providing a perfect view of the ocean.

“The view is amazing,” I whisper in awe. The house feels calm, making a smile curve my lips. “I love it.”

Reid lets out a chuckle. “You’ve only seen the living room.”

“I love the feel of it,” I correct myself. “The calmness.”

“That’s why I picked it,” he says, before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “You give me the same feeling. It’s one of the things that drew me to you.”

I walk through the rest of the house, loving the three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and kitchen. The veranda is my favorite, though.

“I can’t wait to sit out here and watch sunsets with you,” I mention, my gaze once again locked on the ocean.

“Take off your shoes.”