Page 39 of Dreaming About Forever

Jordan rummaged in the box and found the star. Holding it up, he turned to his mom. “How old is this thing?”

His mom’s mouth pursed. “Probably close to thirty. Your dad and I bought it on a trip to Branson right after we got married.”

Jordan looked down at Alicia and mouthed, “Old.”

Her smile widened, and she quickly turned her attention back to the lights. She had her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, and the oversized gray sweater they’d bought earlier hung off one shoulder, showing way too much of her creamy skin.

He wasn’t sure how the woman could look like a runway model and the girl next door in the same day, but it was both bliss and torment.

“I’m finished with this box,” Caroline said. “And that one can go too.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jordan said as he moved the stepladder over to the tree and placed the old star on top. “Any boxes to bring down while I’m up there?”

He’d been moving boxes in and out of the attic all afternoon, and decorating for Christmas was turning out to be a training exercise. He needed practice scaling ladders with the prosthetic, and he was getting his fill today.

“There should be one with tablecloths and runners in it,” his mom said. “And I think that’ll be the last of it.”

Caroline yawned and covered her mouth. “Good thing because I’m beat. This is worse than working an eight-hour shift.”

“It went by much faster with the extra help,” his mom said. “You can head on home. I don’t like you being out on the roads at night.”

“I’ve been driving at night for almost ten years, Mom,” Caroline said.

“I know, but I’ll still worry about you, no matter how old you are.”

Jordan grabbed the boxes to go back to the attic and left the women talking about the school Christmas pageant. The attic wasn’t in bad shape, but bending down to fit into the squat space was giving him a backache. He quickly stored the old boxes and found the one he needed.

He trudged back downstairs with the smallest box he’d carried all day. “Is this the last one?”

“Yep,” his mom called back from the bottom of the stairs. “Thanks for doing all the heavy lifting.”

“No problem.” He looked around his childhood home at the decorations covering almost every surface and wall. Evergreen wreaths, Christmas lights, and snowflakes were spread throughout the house.

It had a cozy look, but he couldn’t tear his gaze from Alicia. She sat on the floor, happily tugging at the lights.

The draw in his chest was a massive warning signal. Half of the people in the world were obsessed with Alicia Carver. It was his job to protect her from the ones who crossed the line.

He couldn’t be one of them.

Caroline stood and stretched her arms over her head. “I think I’m gonna head out. See y’all at the pageant?”

“Save us seats,” his mom said as she wrapped Caroline in a hug.

“You know I will.” Caroline turned her attention to Jordan and held out her arms. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Jordan wrapped his little sister in a hug. “Glad to be home.”

“You’ve been gone a long time,” she whispered. “I missed you. How long has it been?”

“I came home the Christmas before last.”

“No, I mean since you left to join the Marines,” Caroline corrected.

Jordan knew exactly when he’d left home. He’d counted down the days until it was time to finally start doing what he was made to do.

He left because of the Marines, and he came back because of them too.

Alicia looked up. “That’s cool that you were a Marine.”

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