Page 156 of The Purrfect Handyman

Warm. Gentle. Affectionate. Alanna gazed at Sully. Yep, thatwasperfect for her.

“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.” Layla skittered down the hallway to the cat enclosures. “I have to text Everly and the other volunteers. And Val, the shelter director. She’s going to be over the moon!”

Alanna and Sully followed her at a slower pace. Their hands naturally found each other, fingers interlacing. Alanna’s heart thudded in her chest.

“I love you.” The words tumbled from Sully’s lips, and Alanna screeched to a halt.

Here?

Now?

She hadn’t imagined those three little words coming from him in the middle of an animal rescue shelter. And certainly not so soon.

But it was perfect.

Here.

Now.

“I love you, too.” The words were so easy to say. So terrifyingly easy.

Sully’s lips devoured hers, and Alanna tilted her head to give him greater access. Her arms wrapped around his strong, firm body. He was her rock in the storm. The calm to balance her energy. The endless love to smoother her fears and insecurities. The handyman had knocked down all her walls and helped her rebuild something better and more beautiful.

“Ahem,” Layla said delicately. She grinned at them like a loon, sniffling and clasping her hands in front of her. “Are you ready to meet Simon again?”

Alanna nodded. With Sully’s hand in hers, she walked into the familiar large room. The cacophony of meows faded in her ears as Layla beckoned her to an enclosure in the corner. A dark shape sat inside, gazing at Alanna with curious amber eyes.

She approached the enclosure. The midnight cat pressed his face against the other side of the plexiglass as if asking,Are you the one who has finally come for me?

“Yes,” Alanna whispered, her heart so full she worried it might burst. “Yes, I am.”

~

Alanna has her happily ever after, but Jax is just starting on the long path toward self-acceptance and love. Can a certain hunky, somewhat arrogant reporter help her on the journey? Find out and visit all your favorite Crazy Cat Ladies in…