Epilogue
One Year Later
Riley
“Are you sure that’s what you want to name the puppy?”
Jackson grips my hand in his on the console of the truck. We’re on our way to pick up our new puppy, who is an adorable beagle mix, at the animal shelter in the next town over.
“The deal was I could name the puppy and yes, that’s the name I want.”
Jackson flicks a glance at me.
“What if she doesn’t suit her name?”
“Oh, she will. I know it.”
I also know that Jackson really wanted to adopt an older dog he fell in love with on the website after we already agreed to take the puppy. He insisted one dog would be enough, and this was the dog we were meant to have.
But I disagree.
After pulling into the lot, Jackson opens the back door of his truck and checks on the puppy’s kennel. He’s like a new dad obsessively checking a car seat, and I take a moment to watch him more closely .
He’s wearing a small smile as he adjusts the blanket inside and pets the comfort animal we placed in the kennel. It’s supposed to help young puppies adapt to being away from their moms and make them less homesick. When the woman at the pet store explained what it was for, Jackson didn’t even look at the price tag.
This man’s tenderness makes me fall more in love with him every day. Whether it be something he did for me, his parents, or even Aunt Agnes, his heart only knows how to give and it’s no wonder he didn’t take to the bar scene like his friends. Jackson loves with all his being and he struggles with it sometimes.
He knows it’s not a terrible quality, but it brings out the quirks he hates. Like random facts when he’s nervous and stuck on what to say. I love it when he gets overwhelmed with me and still tells me things like how grapes need to freeze at a certain temperature to make ice wine.
It’s both educational and his signal that he needs a moment to gather his thoughts and recalibrate.
“Ready, babe?”
Jackson nods, satisfied with the puppy setup, and joins me to enter the shelter.
“Hi! You made it!”
The shelter co-ordinator, a friend of Hannah’s from Avocadabra, has been such a help with organizing my surprise.
“We wouldn’t miss our puppy pickup date, Carla.” Jackson shakes her hand and I go for the full hug because we’ve gotten to know each other a lot over the past three weeks. Jackson furrows his eyebrows, but I quickly move the conversation along.
“We’re super excited to take Carrot home. ”
Jackson smiles as we follow her to the adoption meeting room. “I still can’t believe that’s the name you want to go with.”
“It’s special to me. I love it.”
Jackson squeezes my hand. “I do too. Might be weird calling her that while we make salads, though.”
“So Riley tells me you’re a famous steer wrestler. That must be exciting.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m famous, but it is exciting.”
They chatter a bit about rodeo and after we settle in the adoption room, Carla leaves to bring us Carrot.
“I’m kind of excited.” Jackson rubs his hands on his pants.
“I know. You’ve always wanted a dog. I can’t wait until she’s underfoot while we make dinner together.”
Jackson closes his eyes and inhales a deep breath. “I want that so much.”
God, I hope I don’t break him when he sees the surprise.
“Okay, guys, here she is. Miss Carrot.”
Carla enters the room with a bundle of brown and white fur that’s all ears and feet, and both Jackson and I sigh. He reaches out and Carla places Carrot in his arms.
“I’ll let you both visit and be right back with all the paperwork.” She winks behind Jackson’s back and I turn my attention to him.
“Look at her ears, Rye! Oh my god, she’s so cute.” Carrot snuffles all over Jackson and his smile melts my heart. “I think she fits her name.”
“Me too.” I reach out to scratch her ears and she licks at my hand .
“Here you hold her. We should stop for an extra dog bed on the way home. When I’m away next year, you could bring her to work with you if needed.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, but we can get her another bed. It’s good to have choices.”
There’s a knock on the door and Carla pokes her head in.
“Do you have room for one more?”
She doesn’t wait for an answer and instead opens the door to reveal the older grey dog Jackson fell in love with.
“What?” He turns to me and back to the dog, who instantly wags his tail and goes to Jackson. “I thought he was already adopted?”
“He was. By me.”
“What?”
Carla left as soon as she brought the other dog in and if she’s following the plan, she has all the dog accessories for an older dog gathered out front for us to take home.
Carrot squirms to get down, and I place her on the floor. She runs to the other dog, who immediately woofs and plays with her.
“Jack, look at me.” Yep, I might have broken my boyfriend. Jackson’s looking at me and back at the dogs, but he’s still dazed. Cupping his cheeks, I force him to keep his eyes on me while the puppy races around the room with the other one chasing in play.
“I saw the way you wished for this dog when it came up for adoption and I couldn’t not try to make your wish come true. He’s yours.”
“But now you have two dogs to look after when I’m away. That’s a lot of work. ”
“Jack…I will do anything to make you happy. Taking care of two dogs while my cowboy boyfriend does his farewell rodeo circuit won’t be difficult. Then you’ll be home and we’ll have the hydroponics and my business to focus on. It might be difficult at first, but it’s worth it.” I press a kiss to his lips. “You deserve the future you dreamed of, too, Jack. This is what you wanted.”
The older dog barks and we both turn to find him standing and watching us. Jackson drops to his knees and calls him. “Here, boy. Come here.”
The dog bounces over and almost knocks Jackson over. His laughter as he reaches to hug the dog closer melts my heart.
“Can I call you Tramp? You sort of look like him.” The dog licks Jackson’s face and bounces away with a bark. “Here, Tramp!” He immediately sits in front of Jackson.
“Rye…I think he likes that name.”
“I think it’s perfect for him.” Carrot pounces at one of Tramp’s feet with a puppy bark and we laugh. “I had Carla put them together before I made a decision. Tramp already acts like a big brother. They’re perfect together.”
Jackson pulls me into his arms and buries his face in my neck.
“I love you, Riley. I can’t believe you did this.”
“It was hard to keep it a surprise. I almost spoiled it a few times.”
Jackson steps back and watches the dogs again. Tramp lies on the floor and Carrot keeps jumping over him while puppy barking.
“You know you have to be the stern parent, right? I can’t say no to those faces.”
Laughing, I scoop up Carrot and knock on the door to signal Carla.
“I know, Jack. Again…worth it. ”
I already picture him sneaking them treats and letting them sleep with us and all kinds of other things we talked about and agreed that we wouldn’t do. But any time he breaks the rules with the dogs, something tells me I’ll probably just love him even more and let it slide.
After wrangling both dogs into the truck, stopping at the pet store for yet more dog toys and discovering Carrot gets car sick, Jackson’s smile never fades.
Carrot crashed out hard once we got them settled at home. Curled next to her kennel, of course, not in it. Tramp leans against Jackson’s leg with a giant dog smile as he gets his ears scratched.
It’s all so domestic and happy that I have to pinch myself.
“Ouch.” I rub my arm and Jackson’s gaze catches mine. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to kiss the top of my head.
“Me too, Rye. Me too.”
Jamieson and Griff are up next as they try to adjust to the possibility of becoming more than just friends.