Secret Designs(54)

"So that means…?"

"That means I still need to go home to work on them."

"Can you bring them here?"

"All the materials? It would be impractical, Dyl. I'll end up lugging them in the car all the time and they might get dirty."

"Okay, then," he conceded. "Maybe we can work something out later. But you'll be spending all of next weekend with me right? From Friday night to Sunday night?"

She bit her lip. "Yes...but I'll need to spend a chunk of Saturday with other people."

He grinned widely. "I know, baby. And I'm making all the plans for your birthday, not you. You just have to sit tight and relax."

"Really? What are you planning to do?" she asked excitedly.

Dylan wriggled in the chair. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, a frown appearing on his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked, sensing the shift in his mood.

The long look he gave made her anxious.

"There's something I want to ask you, sweetheart," he said.

"Okay," she said nervously, twisting on his lap so she was facing him.

"Would you let me help you? You know, when you need it? And not fight with me about it?"

Her face softened. "Yes, of course. I know you no longer think I'm after your money. So when I need your help, I'll ask you."

Dylan's smile was filled with relief. "You won't have to ask," he said, giving her a soft kiss.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'll just give you what you need," he replied, continuing to kiss her.

She stilled.

"What?" he asked.

"I'll still want you to ask me, not just push it on me."

"Push it on you?"

"Yes. I don't want to feel like a kept woman, Dyl. I've always been independent and I don't want to lose that. It would be like losing my sense of self."

He exhaled sharply and held her close, burying his face in her neck.

"Dyl?"

"I get it," he murmured.

"Are you okay?"

"If I give you a surprise for your birthday, it's okay, isn't it?" he asked.

She sighed. He looked truly worried. What had he planned?

Well, as it would be her birthday present, she would accept it gracefully and gratefully. He was probably thinking of getting her a sewing machine for his spare room.

"I love birthday surprises, so don't ruin it now," she teased before kissing him thoroughly.





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE





"Where are we going?"

"That's about the fifth time you asked me that in the span of ten minutes, baby," Dylan chuckled as he drove out of the garage. "I'm not telling you no matter how many times you ask. You'll know soon enough."

"Okay," Ari sighed. "I guess I'll just have to wait and see."

He smiled and put some music on. In less than an hour, they would be picking up Sylvie and Kenny from the airport.

He was confident Ari would love that part of her birthday surprise. But he didn't want to lie to her anymore. They were back together and he didn't want to do anything that would trip him up later.

He took her hand and brought it to his lips as he navigated the traffic. God, he loved her so much. He didn't want to lose her again.

So he would tell her the truth once they got back home from the airport and hope it wouldn't put him in the doghouse. She did say that she loved birthday presents, didn't she?





*******



"The airport? We're going to the airport?"

"Sure looks like it, doesn't it?" Dylan grinned, delighting at Ari's dumbstruck expression.

"But we didn't pack anything. And we're having dinner with friends tonight...here in Sydney," she said with confusion. "Are we having a joyride or something?"

He laughed out loud. "Now that's a thought for your next birthday."

He parked the car and looked at her. "We're going for a walk."

Ari sighed. "I'm just going to zip my mouth and see what happens next."

"That's a great idea. Let's go."

They walked hand-in-hand to the arrivals hall for regional flights when Dylan felt Ari squeeze his hand tightly.

"Port Macquarie flights use this terminal," she said with suppressed hope.

"Really?" he asked nonchalantly while he consulted the arrivals board. "You're right. Look. It's says here a Port Macquarie flight just landed fifteen minutes ago."

His timing was excellent. Their visitors should be walking out at any minute now.

"So what are we doing here?" Ari asked, her eyes shining with barely contained excitement.

He shrugged, unable to hide his grin.

"Dylan! Tell me or —"

"Aunt Ari!"

They turned to see a brown-haired boy running toward them, his mother following at a slower pace, grinning widely.