Page 44 of Lone Wolf in Lights
A smile crept across his face. Surprise? He moved back to the bedroom, and quickly dressed. He pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a soft gray sweater. He barely glanced at his reflection, running a hand through his damp hair. On his way out the door, he grabbed his worn leather winter coat and slid on his nicer black cowboy hat.
As he opened his door, he spotted her car parked outside—a small black vehicle that he assumed had significantly better gas mileage than his truck. He couldn’t help but smile as he squeezed himself into the compact passenger seat. It was a snug fit but being in close proximity with Willow was fine by him.
“Thank goodness you’re not any taller,” she joked, a playful smirk forming on her face. “Otherwise, we’d have to tie you to the roof.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve ridden out under the stars,” he shot back.
“Let’s stick to the car for tonight though. Safer for everyone involved.” She laughed, and he laughed along with her.
Damn that felt good. Just laughing.
He fastened his seatbelt. “Going to tell me where you’re taking me?”
“Nope,” she replied.
The road unfurled before them as Willow drove right at the speed limit. He smiled at that, not expecting any different. His gaze shifted from the passing scenery to her, trying to read clues in the set of her jaw or the occasional glint of her eyes when they caught the flash of a streetlight. But only her smile was telling that she had something up her sleeve.
“Are we going line dancing?” he ventured, watching for any telltale sign in her expression.
“Keep guessing,” she said with a playful lilt to her voice that made him chuckle despite himself.
“Karaoke?”
A smiled danced on her lips. “No, not karaoke.”
He leaned forward slightly, watching as she took the turn that headed west. “I’m running out of guesses here.”
“Good,” she said. “You’ll see soon enough.”
As they drove on, he spotted the Deer Point sign. The buildings rose higher, the streets became busier.
“Deer Point, huh?” he asked.
“Look at you, playing detective.” She glanced over, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “Yes, Deer Point. But where in Deer Point, that’s the question.”
“Can’t blame a guy for being curious.” He settled back, allowing the city’s energy to wash over him. It was a stark contrast to the quiet comfort of Timber Falls, yet it held a familiar allure.
“Curiosity is good,” she agreed. “Keeps things interesting.”
As they neared the heart of the city, his anticipation sharpened. The buildings towered above them, their windows reflecting the stars peeking through the evening sky. People bustled about, and the air was charged with the electric hum of city nightlife.
Willow soon parked in the public parking lot.
Eli stepped from the warmth of Willow’s car into the crisp night air, his breath forming a ghostly mist before him. The chill in the air faded away at the warmth radiating from her hand as it enveloped his. They moved in silence, each step taking them further into the secluded pockets of Deer Point’s quaint town square.
The city’s energy enveloped him like a living thing as he followed Willow’s lead toward the town hall, its grand facade glowing with the golden light of countless bulbs that spilled onto the cobblestone square.
“Surprise,” Willow said.
A massive, majestic Christmas tree loomed before them, commanding the space with its towering presence. Its branches were heavy with ornaments, each one glinting under the soft radiance of strung white lights. These were not mere decorations; they were symbols of hope, lovingly crafted to honor others. Eli’s gaze traced the silvery garlands, the ribbons that fluttered in the wind.
“Tree of Hope,” he murmured, reading the sign set next to the tree.
“Yeah,” Willow said softly beside him. “Every ornament tells a story.”
“It’s beautiful,” he said.
“It is, but I think this one is even more so,” Willow said, pointing to one ornament. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made a donation to the Tree of Hope,” she began, her gaze unwavering. “In your mother’s and sister’s names.”
