For more than an hour, while nursing a small glass of wine, Hardy, Special Agent Cruz and Dahlia made small talk that gradually became more relaxed and personal. Afterward, the conversation settled on the outcome of the mission. Hardy and Cruz informed Dahlia of what the President had told them aboard Air Force One. Dahlia, not wanting to go into details, simply confirmed that the unidentifiable man aboard the ship was Ashar Yamadi.
Dahlia glanced at the clock on the wall. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She placed her hands on her thighs and stood. “I really should be going. It’s Christmas Eve and I’m sure you two have something planned.”
Cruz looked at Hardy. “Don’t worry about it. We’ve enjoyed having you.” After a short pause, she added, “In fact, why don’t you stay for dinner? We’re thinking of getting a pizza.”
“Pizza?” said Hardy. “I was going to cook for us.”
Cruz and Dahlia stared at him.
After a few seconds of silence, he said, “What?”
Dahlia tilted her head. “You can cook?”
“He’s never cooked for me.” Cruz raised her eyebrows at him.
He feigned hurt feelings. “What are you talking about, Cruz? I cooked for you just last Saturday.”
Cruz thought for a moment and smiled. “You boiled hot dogs and made macaroni and cheese from a box.”
“Yeah,” snapped Hardy, grinning. “That’s cooking.”
Cruz chuckled and shook her head.
Laughing, Dahlia walked toward the front door and picked up the bag she had brought. “Thanks, but I think I’ll take my chances with takeout.” She handed the bag to Cruz. “Merry Christmas, Cruz. I hope you like it.”
“Dahlia, you didn’t have to get me anything.” Cruz had already opened the bag and stuck her nose inside before finishing her sentence. She loved receiving gifts. It mattered not that it was Christmas, her birthday, a Sunday or any day of the month. If someone gave her a present, she was not going to turn it down.
Noticing Cruz’s excitement, Dahlia smiled, happy that her gesture had been well received.
Cruz placed the bag on the floor and pulled out a large box. Putting the box on the table, she lifted the lid, pushed aside the tissue paper and picked up the first item. Unfolding it and holding it up, her lips formed an awkward smile. Her eyes went back to the box and she plucked one of two items that remained in the box. Holding up both items in front of her eyes, she blushed. Dahlia had kept the promise she had made to Hardy in Los Angeles. Cruz was holding a black mini skirt and a pair of black knee boots with three-inch heels.
“Do you like them?” Dahlia’s voice revealed her tentativeness.
“Yes…I do,” replied Cruz, her cheeks becoming more and more flushed. “I’ve never owned anything so…short.”
“I figured that out when I saw Hardy’s eyes almost come out of their sockets when he saw you in my skirt.” She turned to Hardy and put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure you understand that this is a joint gift, considering you’ll be getting just as much, if not more, enjoyment from it.”
“All right, all right,” he said, nodding his head. “You’ve had your fun.” He could feel his body temperature rising and wanted to change the topic. “So, where are you going that you can’t stay for dinner?”
Before she could answer his question, Cruz expressed her gratitude. “Thank you so much. I really do like them.”
“You’re welcome.” Dahlia turned toward Hardy and tried to come up with an answer to his question. “I’m…I’m meeting up with someone tonight.”
“Your father?”
Dahlia glared at him, but immediately relaxed. After all that Hardy had done for her since they had met, he had earned the right to bring up her father. “Nooo…I’m sure you’re aware that my father and I are not on speaking terms, Mr. Hardy.”
“You could be. All it takes is for one person to make the first move.”
Dahlia pursed her lips, closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. It won’t be me.
“Dahlia, I’m sure your father is having a hard time with this, too.” He watched her shake her head. “I’m the last person who knows anything about what happened between you two; however, having interacted with both of you, I’m the perfect person to say that you’re more like your father than you want to admit.”
Dahlia opened her eyes, stared at Hardy and waited. “Are you done? If so, what do I owe you for the session, doc?”
There it is again, her defense mechanism. She’s using humor to turn aside uncomfortable topics. Hardy wrapped his arm around Cruz. “Would you consider us your friends?”
With no hesitation, Dahlia shot back, “Of course.”
“As your friends, we’re asking you to keep the door open when it comes to your father. Don’t shut him out forever.”
Dahlia smiled. After having been alone for so many years and not having anyone to talk to about personal matters, hearing Hardy’s words made her heart almost leap from her chest. Not that Dahlia was keeping score, but if she added Charity, she had three people in her life she could call her friends. She could not have asked for a better Christmas present. “For you and Cruz, I’ll keep the door open.”
Pleased, Hardy returned her smile. “For the record, the first consultation is always free.”
She laughed and stared at them for several seconds before stepping forward and giving Cruz a hug, while Hardy grabbed Dahlia’s coat. She slipped her arms into the coat and overlapped the lapels. After un-tucking her ponytail from the coat, she hugged him a little longer and squeezed him a little tighter than she did Cruz. She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you…for…everything.”
Hardy smiled, nodded his head and opened the door. While Dahlia walked down the driveway, Cruz joined him and slid her left arm around his waist. He clutched her shoulder.
“She doesn’t really have a place to go for the holidays, does she?” asked Cruz.
“I don’t think so.” He watched her Jeep Renegade back into the street. “But…she’s tough and she’ll make it through.”
When Dahlia’s vehicle had gone, Cruz snapped to attention. “I almost forgot about your present.” She pointed behind her. “Wait inside and I’ll be right back.”
Hardy stoked the fire and sat on the couch. Minutes later, the front door opened, but no one came in. He heard scratching sounds on the hardwood floors. “Cruz,” he said, listening. The noises were haphazard, moving in different directions, stopping briefly before starting up again. Getting up from the couch, he moved around it, heading for the front door. Taking a few steps, he stopped when he came face to face with a small puppy.
The dog stopped its inspection of the house and stared back at Hardy. The animal was almost all black and the size of a housecat. Its ears were small and flopped around when it moved. Its actions clearly showed it was sizing up Hardy.
Hardy raised his eyebrows and watched the puppy. He went to one knee. “What are you doing in here?” He patted his thigh. “Come here, come here.”
The dog took a few tentative steps toward Hardy, its head up and its nose trying to pick up any scent it could. The animal approached Hardy, who held out his hand. The dog sniffed his hand, but was ready to run. After thirty seconds, Hardy patted the dog’s head and neck.
“Merry Christmas, Hardy.” Cruz closed the door behind her. “I see you’ve made a new friend.”
Hardy held the dog in his arms, a smile on his face, spreading from ear to ear. He stood and met Cruz halfway. “What’s this?”
“It’s your Christmas present. Do you know what kind it is?”
Hardy had recognized the breed as soon as he saw the puppy. “German Shepherd,” he replied. “Cruz, you know I can’t have pets in my apartment. Besides, being gone for days at a time doesn’t work so good for dogs.”
She held up her hand. “I’ve got it all worked out. He’ll stay with me. Plus, my next-door neighbor loves dogs, too. He’s been caring for her since we’ve been away. I should introduce you sometime…he’s a Marine vet. Anyway, he’s happy to look after her when necessary.” She chuckled. “There was also some talk about him building a kennel near the property line…He’s a good man.”
Hardy played with the dog, while he listened to Cruz. She had all the bases covered.
Cruz patted the dog. “This gives you a reason to come see me more often.” Putting her free hand on the back of Hardy’s neck, she went to her tiptoes, her eyes going back and forth from his eyes to his lips.
He kissed her. “I don’t need another reason. You’re all I need.” He put his lips on hers for a long kiss. Five seconds later, the dog barked and they flinched.
“I should warn you, Cruz.” He grinned. “Female dogs prefer men, so she’s going to be partial to me.”
Cruz wagged her finger at the dog. “You were supposed to be on my side.” She playfully scolded the dog before stealing another kiss from Hardy. “I’m also partial to you.”
Hardy beamed and he went back to playing with the dog. His eye caught movement out the front window. “It’s snowing.” He and Cruz went to the window. Big snowflakes floated down on an angle. He felt her put her head on his shoulder. After a few seconds, he heard her let out a long and heavy sigh. “What is it?” She did not respond, so he turned his body to face her. “What’s going on?”
“I guess I’m a little homesick.” She was mesmerized by the white dots. “It’s just that our trip to see my mother was a bust, and I didn’t get a chance to visit her on Thanksgiving. It’s been awhile, since I’ve seen her.” She forced a smile. “She’d love to see this.” After a few seconds passed, she let out a deep breath. “Anyway, I don’t to ruin the moment. What do you say—” She stopped speaking, when Hardy handed her the dog.
He had his cell phone in his hand. “Maybe we can do something about that.” He grinned. “Do you think your mother’s up for an adventure?”