Page 70 of Dreaming About Forever

“Sounds like you can hang on that long.”

“Then she leaves for her tour prep, and I get assigned to another client.”

Clint sucked in a breath through his teeth. “Yikes.”

“We could easily be on opposite sides of the world at any point in time for the next year. Her tour is international.”

Alicia and Nora made their way back toward Jordan and Clint, smiling and leaning close to whisper to each other.

“Sucks to be you,” Clint said.

“It’s not so bad. I could be you.”

Clint nodded, not taking his gaze off Nora. “That’s the truth if I ever heard it.”

It didn’t make Jordan feel any better that he was in the same sad boat as his brother. At this rate, their parents would never have grandkids to spoil.

The three judges approached Jordan and Alicia’s table and made notes on their clipboard for a minute. Then, they whispered together and pointed at the cookies.

If someone told him a month ago that he’d be wound up tighter than a double knot over a cookie decorating competition, he would have laughed in their face.

Today, he wanted more than anything to win and make Alicia happy.

Fifteen minutes later, the judges stood at the front of the room with pleased grins. No doubt Mrs. Lindsey was enjoying her position on the judges panel, and Chaz Buchanan looked ready to tear into the cookies he’d just scrutinized.

“In third place, we have Clint and Nora!”

The room roared in applause, and Clint gave a deep bow.

“Our runner up is…Piper and Gertrude!”

Piper wrapped her grandmother in a hug, and nearby people congratulated them with more hugs and smiles.

“And finally,” his mom said, pausing for dramatic effect. “Our winning team is Jordan and Alicia!”

Alicia jumped, throwing her hands in the air. “We won!”

She was back in Jordan’s arms, celebrating the win she deserved after the hard work and dedication she put in tonight.

He released her quickly, not wanting everyone in Redemption Ridge to see them so close. People rushed over immediately to congratulate them, and his connection to Alicia was lost in the crowd–just like they would be pulled apart in a few weeks.

24

ALICIA

Jordan’s dad lifted his hand so Alicia could twirl. The light-pink skirt of her dress fanned out around her, and the twinkle lights on the ceiling flashed by in a blur.

When she faced Grant Taylor again, she caught sight of Jordan over his dad’s shoulder. He’d been screening guests at the entrance for an hour, and Redemption Ridge Ranch security personnel were dotted throughout the barn.

Who knew barn dances were a real thing? The dude ranch went all out with the Christmas decor, and a band in one corner played upbeat country songs.

Grant looked over his shoulder. “I think it’s Jordan’s turn to take over.”

Alicia couldn’t help the pull toward Jordan. She’d only looked his way a few hundred times, and each time, she found him watching her too. He’d let her know earlier that he needed to screen attendees for at least the first hour, but he’d promised she’d have his full attention once the extra security agents arrived.

After dancing with half the men in Redemption Ridge, she was more than ready to be in Jordan’s arms.

He shook hands with a man at the door and pointed to his ear. She hadn’t expected him to completely relinquish control of the security. His dedication was one of the things she loved most about him.

---