“Done,” Declan answered. “I’m yours.”
“You’re not going anywhere?”
“Why would I? I’m home.”
He dropped his mouth to mine and as we kissed, I realized that home was always going to be in his arms.
DECLAN
TWO MONTHS LATER
There was a lot to celebrate.
With Shannon living alone in the big house, us living separately had lasted all of three days before she’d brought up me moving in with her. She’d pointed out that my stuff was still in boxes since I’d yet to unpack, so it was easy enough to load everything up and bring it all out. It made sense in a lot of ways and Josh had joked about the value of having a vet living at the ranch. Within the first week, we’d managed to christen every flat surface in the house—and we were working our way around all the vertical ones too.
Going to sleep every night and waking up every morning next to her were some of the favorite parts of my days. Then there was holding her hand, kissing her, being inside her, spending time with her. I was so deeply in love with Shannon Cafferty and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
Six weeks ago, I signed the last document to take full ownership of the Poplar Springs Animal Medical Center, releasing Ruth into the retirement she’d been clamoring for and me into the second step of my new life, with Shannon as the first.
Then there was the joyous occasion we’d all been looking forward to, Josh and Zoe’s rehearsal dinner and wedding weekend. I was excited to stand by my best friend as he took his vows.
The wedding was going to be a formal affair at a recently opened local winery. Zoe had been contracted to build their website and they were so happy with what she created, they’d offered her the space at no charge—Josh just had to pay for the catering and supplies. Tonight, the rehearsal dinner was set to be a family style throw-down in one of Lost Valley’s repurposed barns. I could hear the music and laughter as I made my way toward the soft party lights. I was a little late due to running a last-minute errand, but I didn’t think anyone would notice my absence.
“Hey! Where were you?”
Shannon came out of nowhere, leaping onto my back and linking her arms around my neck.
“Hey yourself! I was taking care of some, uh, best man duties. You know how that goes,” I lied smoothly. “I’m sure you have a long list of maid of honor duties.”
She kissed my cheek and slid off my back. “Nope, not at all. Zoe is super low maintenance. It’s sort of annoying, but I do love that about her.”
I grabbed her hand, and we headed for the barn. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“This old thing?” I laughed as she smoothed the front of her green sundress and slipped her hands in the pockets. “Wait till you see me tomorrow.”
“Gonna give Zoe a run for her money, huh?”
“Hardly. She’s a gorgeous bride. Josh is going to keel over when he sees her.” She paused. “Hey, do you think he’s going to cry?”
I considered it. “Well, he definitely plays up the tough guy act, but I know firsthand he’s a huge softie underneath. Yeah, he’s gonna cry for sure.”
We paused beneath the massive oak tree with the old tree swing. Shannon plopped down on it. “They won’t miss us for a few more minutes, right?”
I peered beyond her to the barn. “They look like they’re still trying to figure out who’s supposed to sit where. I think we’re fine.”
I got behind her, pulled her backward on the swing, then let her go. Shannon leaned back as the swing went up and grinned at me, upside down.
“Have I told you how ridiculously happy I am?” she asked, her dress fluttering in the wind as she soared.
“Not in about thirty minutes, so I think you’re due,” I said with a smile.
Shannon pumped her legs, making the swing go higher. “It’s wild. I mean, my breeding program is busier than ever, and there are some days when I can barely catch my breath, but yeah. I’m really, really happy.”
“Me too.”
I’d never thought it was in the cards for me, this passionate life that I was living with Shannon. There was nothing levelheaded about the way she made me feel, but I knew now that surrendering to my feelings wouldn’t throw me off balance or destroy the equilibrium I’d worked so hard to achieve. The samedrive that lived within my parents was also driving me to balance what I needed with what I wanted.
I smiled to myself as I thought about my parents. All it had taken was a visit to the new doctor and a recalibration of her cholesterol medication for the memory fog around my mother that had me so worried to disappear. Within weeks she was back to normal, as sharp yet flighty as ever. It felt like everything was finally falling into place.
