Killer Moves: The 4th Jolene Jackson Mystery (Jolene Jackson Mysteries) (29 page)

“It’s not a risk, Jo,” he said, chuckling. “Risk implies the potential for trouble and the possibility that you can avoid it. We can’t.” He laughed again and I did too. He brushed a wisp of hair from my forehead. “And it’s okay.”

“I’m really glad you love me.”

Jerry smiled, a gentle smile that seemed to fill up his eyes with a deep emotion I’d only glimpsed before. “How about we go home now?”

I nodded and he kissed me again then led me back toward the house.

A few feet from the door, he stopped and turned toward me. “There is one thing we need to talk about before we go in.”

I felt a little twist of apprehension. “What?”

“Well, it’s the whole name thing. After we get married…”

Oh, no… Oh, hell no. My chest started pounding and I couldn’t breathe. I tried to, but I just couldn’t find any air.

“Well, don’t die over it,” he said with a gentle laugh. Pulling me to toward him, he rubbed my back. “Breathe.”

“I…I…”

“I know,” he said. “I just want to make it clear that I am marrying Jolene Jackson. I don’t need a Misses Parker. I want Jolene Jackson to be my wife. Okay?”

Relief and a thousand other emotions rushed though me. I sucked in a big gulp of air. After I caught my breath, I reached up, wrapped my arms around his neck and, with a burst of unbridled exuberance, I said, “This is going to be the best Christmas ever!”

Once again, no sooner had the words slipped out of my mouth than I regretted them. I couldn’t promise anything like that. Being with Jerry would indeed make it the best holiday ever for me in that way, but everything else was up for grabs.

My mind flashed forward to the wedding. And no sooner did my romantic winter wonderland fantasy unfold than it promptly exploded in unparalleled disaster. I could plan and prepare and wish and hope ‘til the cows came home, but ultimately, I couldn’t promise anything would go off without a hitch—or even with one. The only thing I could guarantee beyond a shadow of a doubt was that we were all headed for
A Very Kickapoo Christmas
.

THE END