Chapter 6 #2
She’d completely stolen his thunder, and now he couldn’t stop smiling. “With Paul walking them each afternoon, that’d probably work.”
Laylee stuck her head out of the bedroom. She held Tank more securely now because she’d learned her lesson, but surprisingly, she also seemed fine with Maybelline leaning into her side. “Hopefully, I’ll still be around, too. I’m happy to let them in and out and to keep an eye on things.”
Ford was speechless.
Skye gave him a blinding smile. “Who’s moving? Me or you?”
It was an effort, but he dragged his gaze away from the sight of Laylee and both dogs.
“Your sister seems to be a permanent fixture in your house, so how about mine?” And once she got comfortable there, he could move on to step two: a permanent commitment.
That was what he wanted, but for Skye, he could bide his time.
“Perfect.” She laced her arms around his neck. “It’s working out, isn’t it?”
“Good thing, because I’m not letting go. Not of Maybelline, or Tank.” He put his forehead to hers. “Or you.”
Her breath caught, and in the next second, she blurted, “I love you madly.”
Jerking upright, he stared at her. “What did you say?”
From behind them, Laylee sang, “She loves you madly, permanently. Forever more, amen.”
Getting a breath into his shocked lungs wasn’t easy, but he finally managed it. “You mean it?”
Now with worry inching in, she said, “Yes, but that doesn’t oblige you to—”
He lifted her off her feet, then crushed her close. Overwhelmed, thrilled, ready to shout, he said, “You love me.”
Laylee laughed. “I told you so, sis.”
Squeaking, Skye replied, “Don’t pressure him.”
Quickly, Ford set her back down. “I’ve loved you almost from the start.” His hands shook a little as he cradled her face. “All my life, I wanted something, but no matter what I got, I kept on wanting. Great job, nice house, friends who are like family.”
Softly, she covered one of his hands with her own. “I understand.”
He knew she did, because she understood him. “Now, with you, and Maybelline . . .”
Laylee said, “And me?”
He half laughed, reached out an arm, and dragged her close. “Yeah, you, too.”
She still held Tank but didn’t seem to mind when Maybelline pressed her way into the middle of them. “My house is more wrecked than it’s ever been,” he went on, “but now it feels like a real home.”
Skye’s smile wobbled. “Oh, Ford.”
“That’s my cue to mosey on,” Laylee whispered. She hugged her sister and kissed Ford on the cheek. “Love you both.” Moving up the hall, she called out, “Who wants treats?” and both dogs started barking, Tank from her arms, and Maybelline in a mad race to catch up.
“She’s getting a lot better.”
Skye nodded. “She offered to buy my house.”
His grin came slow and easy. “In that case, how would you feel about making things permanent?”
“Permanent?” Her gaze searched his.
“I love my house, so I’m glad we’ll be living there, but it was never a home, and now I know why. It was missing you.”
Her smile went crooked. “You’re deliberately confusing me.”
No, he was finally understanding. “A house is just a building. Different shapes, different sizes, but still, just structures. I could fill my house with nice furniture. Put on great music. Have the best entertainment center around.”
“An immaculate yard,” she added. “A trendy pool.”
Now she was getting it, he thought. “They were just things to complement the structure.”
“But a dog,” she said. “Living and breathing, sharing and caring, that brought meaning?”
“Not just any dog, but the best dog. Maybelline is an enormous love-mutt.” Her size was overshadowed only by her big heart and unending love. “She’s been hurt.”
Sad, Skye whispered, “It’s unbearable if I dwell on it.”
“Me, too. But she’ll still accept any friendly hand. Someone treated her badly, and she’s still so gentle.”
“I’m glad she has us.”
Us. The two of them together. “It’s not just Maybelline that makes my house feel like a home, now.
It’s you. In ways I never imagined, you’re my perfect counterpart.
Beautiful and intelligent, understanding, friendly.
” His heart felt too big for his chest. “You know things about me that I’ve never told another soul. ”
Her lips quivered into a smile. “I love you.”
He would never tire of hearing it. “We’re going to have the very best life together.”
“With Maybelline and Tank.”
“And your sister next door.”
She laughed.
“Will you marry me?” He touched his mouth to hers. “Today, or next month, or a year from now. Whenever you want, however you want.”
“I want you.” She hugged him. “When and where and how doesn’t matter to me either, as long as we’re together.”
From the kitchen, Laylee shouted, “Then leave it all to me! I’ll make it the best wedding ever!”
Together—all three of them, with barking dogs joining in—they laughed.
Two Months Later
“My sister is brilliant.”
Ford couldn’t disagree. For weeks, Laylee had grilled them both on things they liked so that she could put together an ideal wedding—for them. He had to say, it suited them perfectly.
Casual and relaxed—just as Skye had requested—the ceremony had taken place in the combined backyards where his friends, his family, could gather and all their animals could safely play.
And his wife . . . her guests included fifty or so of her and Laylee’s relatives, who were every bit as nice as his wife and sister-in-law. It took both properties to hold them all, but he couldn’t have been happier.
Skye was now his wife, and God, he loved her. “You’re stunning,” he whispered, carefully gathering her close again. The material of her dress seemed fragile to him, all white froth magically drifting around her ankles, but leaving her shoulders and back bare.
Laylee flitted by, going from one house to the next, seeing to their guests and the dogs with equal attention.
Knox, Bray and Marcus strode up, all of them smiling at him. While they chatted, Knox tracked Laylee’s every move.
Ford nudged him. “As the best man, you could offer the maid of honor some help.”
Without taking his gaze off Laylee, he said, “Already did, but she refused. Says she has everything in hand.”
Paul joined them, only to heckle Knox. “You’re hopeless.” He physically turned his friend, took his drink from his hand, and gave him a light shove. “Go, don’t ask, just start helping.”
Skeptical, Knox glared at him. “You’re sure that won’t irritate her?”
Skye whispered, “I’m pretty sure it will.”
“Shh,” Ford said, amused. Then louder, “Trust Paul. He’s her buddy now.”
With a roll of his eyes, Knox started forward, but growled to Paul, “If you’re wrong, I’m going to kick your ass.”
Paul grinned, then reassured everyone by saying, “He’s joking.”
Marcus and Bray just lifted their brows.
Frowning, Paul muttered, “He better be joking.” Then he took off to follow Knox.
Marcus pulled her into a hug. “In case I haven’t said it, welcome to the family.”
Bray got her next. “Ford is a brother, whether we’re blood related or not. So that makes you a sister.”
“Well,” she said, “I already adore you all. Plus my family loved Ford on sight.”
Ford glanced over to where her relatives lounged on lawn furniture beneath a shade tree, all of them fawning over Maybelline. His dog loved it. “I’m pretty damn happy with them, too.”
All around him, chaos reigned. Tank ran with the other dogs, and even Lucy’s cat was in attendance, sprawled on her lap while she talked with Skye’s cousins.
Dog fur clung to most of his furniture—and his black wedding slacks.
He and Skye constantly worked with the animals, reassuring them, loving them, teaching them better habits.
And every night, she slept in his arms.
Together, they’d created the perfect life for them.
Together, they had a home.