Free Betrayal by Nancy Ann Healy Page A

winked.
    “Alex,” he softly called after her, prompting the agent to turn. “Be careful.” Alex offered the ambassador a cockeyed smile and continued on her way. “Be careful, Alex,” he repeated to himself.

    “You should have seen it, Mom!” Dylan beamed as he climbed into the large bed.
    “I’ll bet it was really something,” Cassidy smiled.
    “Yeah. You know that it has windshield wipers? Just like our car, Mom!”
    Cassidy sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the covers over her son. “It sounds like it was quite the adventure.” She contemplated the sparkle in his eyes as he finally let his head rest on the pillow. “I am very proud of you, Dylan,” she said as a tear formed in her eye.
    His small smile seemed to radiate the pride he felt in her praise. Alex made her way to the doorway and listened to the heartfelt exchange. “Mom?”
    “What, sweetie?”
    “Why are you crying?”
    A slight chuckle escaped from his mother as Cassidy again witnessed the compassionate heart of her son. “I am just very proud of you.”
    “Why?”
    “Well, because you are smart. You make people laugh.” He smiled at her as her hand brushed his bangs aside. “But mostly because you are kind.”
    “I am?”
    “Yes, you are. Today was very hard for so many people.”
    “I know,” he said as his eyes dropped.
    Cassidy’s gaze narrowed as she studied his expression, seeing there the deep understanding his innocence allowed. It was not an understanding of events, but an ability to sense in all those around him a lingering feeling of loss hidden beneath adult pleasantries. “You, Dylan, made a lot of people smile today.” He looked back up at her and Cassidy could see his small eyes watering. “You made people laugh and you reminded me of something.”
    “I did?” he asked innocently.
    “Yes, you did,” she smiled broadly. “That you,” she paused and tucked the covers around him a bit, “are the best thing that ever happened to me.” His smile began to grow. “And, Alex is the best thing that has ever happened to us,” she said with a soft sigh. “I love you, Dylan,” she said, placing a kiss on his forehead. As she rose to her feet she noticed his small eyes drift to the doorway.
    “Good night, Alex,” he called over.
    The agent was still leaning against the doorway. Gray sweat pants and an FBI T-shirt replaced the formal uniform of hours earlier. The smile on her face was soft, almost as if it were whispering to them both. Alex looked at Cassidy and took a deep breath. Then she glanced to the boy with his head on the pillow. “Goodnight, Dylan.”
    “I love you, Alex,” he said as he grabbed hold of the small rabbit nearby and closed his eyes.
    “I love you too, Speed,” she answered as Cassidy finally reached her and pressed into her side. “Get some sleep.”
    “You too. I’m gonna fly through….”
    “You do that, Speed,” Alex replied as she gently shut his door and turned to the woman beside her. “How are you?” she asked.
    Cassidy pursed her lips. “I am all right, Agent. How are you?” she asked with concern.
    “Best thing that ever happened to you, huh?” Cassidy just smiled and raised her brow. “You sure about that?”
    “Pretty sure,” Cassidy winked.
    “Ummm…”
    “What?” Cassidy asked as Alex pulled her closer.
    “That thing I wanted to tell you when we got home?” Alex began.
    “Yes?”
    “How do you feel about a glass of wine in front of the fireplace?”
    “What is going on in that head?” Cassidy asked.
    “Well, you go get changed. I’ll get the wine and start the fire. I think there has been enough stress and sadness for one day; don’t you?” Alex smiled and placed a light kiss on her lover’s nose.
    “In fact, I do.”
    “Go change. Wine and a fire.” Cassidy shook her head with a grin.
    “What are you grinning about?” Alex squinted.
    “Nothing,” Cassidy winked. “You just surprise me sometimes.”
    “Yeah?”
    “Umm...”