“I did only get one,” she states. “It just so happens that Jillian got one too.” Shrugging she smiles at me. “Two sisters. The last two and they looked so sad. Jillian decided instantly that she wanted one, and when I saw the last puppy sitting in the crate all alone it broke my heart. I couldn’t just leave her there.”
“You could have,” I say, looking at the two still wildly jumping around and imagine the scene she just played out. Truth is I probably would have done the same thing.
“So which one is ours?” I ask and she points to the raptor currently chewing on my boot. Scooping her up I turn her around and notice how she has multiple different shades of coloring. Brown, black, almost a silver blue, and white, but one eye has a patch around it, and the coloring of her eye itself is brown, while the other is blue. She is mostly white but the coloring is unique.
“Australian Shepards,” they answer my silent question. “That is Lily and this,” Jillian picks up the second one who’s coloring is pretty close to the same, “is Rose.” She snuggles the puppy kissing the top of her head before releasing her little wiggling body once more.
Rose’s coloring is more brown and white with a few patches of black. You can definitely tell them apart.
“Aren’t they sweet?” Sophie asks hopeful. “Before you ask, they are crate trained and do very well. The breeder started working with them immediately.”
“They’re just shy of six months old. And they love each other so much. You should see them nap, they are all snuggled together so sweetly.”
“You two plan this all out?”
“Plan what?” Sophie asks me and I arch a brow, knowing they did.
“This speech, you rehearse it with each other? The what to say, what not to say.”
“It was an accident,” Sophie says with a sigh. “We were walking down the sidewalk after grabbing a coffee. I wanted to look at the cute little shop around the corner for some things for the house. We were talking and rounded the corner then the little barking hit us. There they were all cute, soft, and cuddly. Both jumping up and down, practically screaming pick me.”
“So we did, and I think it’s adorable, because they can play together. They aren’t separated and they’ll always have each other.” Sophie shrugs and scoops the one I now know is ours.
Lily.
“Welcome home little lady.” I reach out and pet her head. “You too, little one.” I toss a toy to Rose who is still sitting on Jillian’s lap. She leaps off, going after it and rolls as she tries to stop. Her sister chases after her and suddenly the two are forgotten as they decide to chase each other instead. Back and forth, round and round as we all watch.
Both girls smile happily and Sophie glances over at me. She mouths a thank you and I offer a wink.
I never imagined this was where I’d be. A new house, a girl I love, and a puppy. Jillian and a second puppy as a bonus. Myfamily was growing and though I may try to put on like I’m hard and stern, I’ve become nothing but a big softy inside. At least when it comes to my girl, because truth is I’d give her just about anything in the world if it meant she’d smile at me the way she is now.
EPILOGUE
Finn climbsinto bed and immediately moves in closer behind me. His warm body curling in, his arms wrap around me, and I wiggle back trying to seek out his comfort.
He’d been gone all day and well into the night, the guys working hard to finish up the barn at Rory’s place. He’s wanted it down before fall as that is where he and Adley have decided to get married. The day she told us all that he’d asked her and she was about to make an honest man out of him, I think we all just stared at her in amazement. It was like seeing a unicorn or something. The one that swore she’d never settle down or find her forever.
It’s beautiful really.
“Baby, you keep moving your ass against me like that, I can’t help be responsible for the way my body reacts.” I can already feel him growing harder so I give my ass another little wiggle. Before I can think I am on my back, my hands above my head, and Finn is positioned on top of me.
I can see his smirk in the darkness of the room.
“This what you want?” he asks, shifting his hips forward and I meet his thrust. Triggering a growl to escape him, Finn leans in closer and kisses along my jaw. “Missed me?” He knows the answer to that question. I always miss him.
It’s been a little over eight months since we moved in with each other. We’ve fallen into the perfect routine, loving our shared space. Lily and Rose roam freely together, us leaving the door that separates the space between Jillian’s place and ours. But if I’m being honest Jillian’s the momma, they adore her and at the end of the day that is where they end up sleeping. I’m more like the fun aunt.
Finn drags his hand over my side and when he goes lower and finds I am wearing nothing beneath his T-shirt I’m wearing he slides up the material. “You had this planned,” he whispers and I nod, biting at his jaw.
I can feel him push his shorts down his thighs and I wait, wanting him so badly my body trembles.
Gripping his erection, he pushes forward and teases me.
“Next spring,” he says and for a moment I don’t register his words. I am too lost in the want and he holds my stare as I lift my hips, rubbing over him. Then when he doesn’t move, just watches me, I return his stare.
“What?”
“I think we should get married in the spring.” He tilts his head slightly. “I know you found the ring in my drawer. I wasn’t trying to hide it sweetheart, I told you the day would come. I’d marry you tomorrow if you were okay with going to the courthouse, but I also want to give you the big wedding with all our family and friends. I want to celebrate us with everyone we love. SoI’m thinking that spring would be perfect. Gives us time to get everything in line. We can live a little longer in sin too.”
