“We’vehad a lot of fun together.”
“Mmm,”Iagree. “Youtold me that you aren’talwaysout having fun, though.Sometimesyou stay in for cocoa cookie nights.Thatsounds pretty wonderful tonight.”
Hammypulls a plastic container from his bag. “Ijust happen to have baked hot cocoa cookies tonight.Igave you the store-bought kind before, butIfigured the real thing might help ease the shock of allI’vetold you.Plus, making them gave me time to figure out howIwould tell you.”
“You,Hammy, are a gem.”
Istand, which of course makesSparkhop off the couch and follow me asIlower the lights and turn on some soft music.ThenIswitch on theChristmastree lights.Snowis silently falling in big, chunky flakes, shining brightly in the moonlight through the windows.Igo over to the fireplace, flip the switch to light it, and whenIturn back,Hammyis standing, and we move in close together.
Hereaches up to pull an errant ribbon scrap from my messy bun, and the touch sends a thrill through me.Thenhis eyes meet mine. “Youare an incredible woman,Annette.Didyou know that?Ilaid a lot on you tonight.It’dbe reasonable for you to tell me to go away and then bury yourself under a pile of blankets.”
Iplace my hands on his chest and then slide them up to interlock my fingers behind his neck. “Ifit was anyone other than you, maybeIwould.Butyou are pretty incredible yourself.”
He’sgazing at me likeI’mthe most wondrous thing he’s ever seen.LikeI’mthe magic ofChristmasfrom every year of his life wrapped up in one package.Musicis playing,Sparkis at my feet, the fire is crackling, the snow is falling, the lights are twinkling, andIcan’t imagine a more perfect moment.
“Ilove you,Annette.”
And, it just became more perfect.Hiswords send a thrill through my entire body.Hetips his head down asItip mine up and he kisses me.Hislips are soft against mine, andImoan at their touch.Hekisses me likeIam cherished.LikeIam someone to protect at all costs.LikeIam special.Vitallyimportant.Loved.LikeIam everything.
Ipull him as close to me asIcan and he wraps his arms around me, holding me as much asI’mholding him.He’smade me feel happy, hopeful, alive, excited, safe, and loved whenIwasn’t sureIcould ever feel loved again.Iwant to hold onto this man forever.
Eventually, we move to the couch whereIsnuggle into him andSparksnuggles into my other side.Ilean againstHammy’schest, soaking in the sound of his heart and the feel of his arm around me as we watch the snow fall and the fire burn.
ThenIask, “Sois that why you never married?Becauseyou were a spy and it was too dangerous?”
“That,” he says, “and because my schedule was never predictable.Isometimes spent weeks out of town.Ididn’t think it was possible to have the life of a spy and a real relationship.”Hepauses a moment, then adds, “That’sa lie, because my best friend,Rick, met a woman who was also a spy, got married, had six kids, and that worked out great.Butthey had an epic kind of love—not the kind normal people have.”
Itilt my head to look at him. “Youdon’t think you can have an epic kind of love?Becausefrom whatIknow of you…”
Hesmiles. “Well,Inever thoughtIcould untilImet you.”
“Wow.That’sa really great answer.Youget bonus points for that one.”Ifeel his rumbling chuckle as much asIhear it.
ThenIsit up. “Oh!Thisis all top secret!Reesewas here whenIgot your text—she knows you came to tell me something and she’ll ask about it.WhatdoItell her?”
“Ifit’s okay with you,I’drather you not mention theCSA, since she hasn’t been cleared.Asfar as everyone knows,Iwork atLancasterBusinessSolutions.That’swhat it says on our building.It’swhat my business cards say.”
Inod. “Okay, that’s easy.”Ipause. “Butthen what doItell her you told me?Oh!Wecould say that you testified against a mob boss.Hewas convicted, but you knew he could still sendsomeone after you, so you had to have a disguise.Butthe mob boss died, so you no longer have to hide.”
NowHammyis the one trying to suppress a smile. “Isthat what you guessedIwas going to tell you?”
“Well, it’soneof the thingsIkind of guessed.Youdon’t want to know the other ones.”
Hechuckles.
“Ineed to callReesetonight and tell her the story before she gets crazy ideas.”Weeach take one ofHammy’shot cocoa cookies from the container and take a bite.Imoan asIchew. “Ithought the ones you got from the bakery were delicious, butthese.”Itake another bite and moan again. “Theseare to die for.”
Hammy’ssmile widens.
WhenIfinish my first cookie—Iplan to eat several—Isay, “Inoticed the name on yourCSAbadge isAbraham.Wouldyou like me to call youAbrahamorHammy?”
Heshrugs. “Ihave a fondness for both.Whichdo you prefer?”
“Well, you see,Ideveloped a huge fondness for the nameHammyaround the timeIgot tangled inChristmaslights with a stranger.”Ismile. “AndIthinkIalways will.”
EPILOGUE
OPERATION: NEWLYWED
