Chapter 39
GEORGE
“ I can’t choose, I just can’t.”
“You have to, Rafe. We can’t take them all.”
“But there’re all so beautiful, how can I choose one and not the other?”
“It’s not ring shopping, my love, it’s a dog. We only have space for one animal. Maybe two. And think of being on the ship or when we travel.”
Rafe and I stood in the fenced yard of the Tortola Animal Rescue Center.
Or rather, Rafe stood with two dogs, one in each arm, and a third laying at his feet.
He was the animal whisperer. As soon as we’d entered the rescue facility, dogs, cats, and even a few birds, had all flocked to him.
The shelter manager, Yara, had taken a shine to Rafe too, and suddenly we had another person to invite to the wedding.
The wedding. We were engaged.
I looked at my left hand again, at the ring on my finger. I was still in shock but happily so. So happy, I was about to ignore my common sense and give Rafe everything he wanted.
I was so bloody fucked.
“But it’s Luna and Stella.” He held up his arms with two beige chihuahua-terrier mixes, their tiny bodies vibrating with excitement, giving Rafe alternating licks. The dogs were almost twins, with the only difference between them being a patch of brown fur over Stella’s right ear.
“They’re siblings, we can’t part them. And then there’s Ginger,” He looked down at his feet. “She’s been here for ten months, the longest of any animal. No one else has shown interest in adopting her because of her leg. She needs a loving home.”
I stared down at the red-furred terrier and my heart squeezed at the sight of her big brown eyes.
She was twice the size of the chihuahuas, but we could still easily pick her up.
Ginger was rescued after being found by the side of the road, injured and malnourished.
She’d had a bad leg injury for quite some time, a broken left femur that didn’t heal properly so her leg dragged behind her.
But it didn’t stop her playful spirit or her desire to engage with the other dogs.
I squatted down and reached my hand out, and she licked it then rubbed her wet nose into my palm.
My heart melted and so did my reasons for saying no.
“Okay, all right. But don’t be surprised if your brother kicks up a fuss when he sees that I’ve brought three dogs on board his yacht. And after this, we need to go shopping for all their supplies.”
“Did you hear that, lovelies, you’re coming home with us!” Rafe exclaimed as he hugged Luna and Stella. I picked up Ginger and did the same. We stared at each other for a moment, until I couldn’t resist any longer. I reached over and kissed him.
“Yara, ring the bell!” Rafe yelled out. “Three times. We’ve got adoptions to celebrate!”
After signing all the dogs’ paperwork, getting their vaccination certificates, and having our pictures taken with our new fur babies for the shelter’s newsletter, we headed to the one and only place on the island that carried pet supplies.
Rafe promptly bought out half the store.
I always thought my Jeep was a bit big for one person, but with Rafe, three dogs, and all the beds, toys, and God knows what else my love had bought, our vehicle was packed.
All three dogs sat in his lap, curled up tightly together as we drove home.
Rafe and I couldn’t stop smiling.
After unloading copious amounts of bags, we headed down to the private beach for our first walk with our dogs.
It was a typical Caribbean day, sunny and humid, with a warm breeze that carried the perfume of saltwater and tropical flowers.
There were a handful of residents on the beach, and they all stopped to meet the newest furry members of the community.
It was nice to finally get to know my neighbors.
I’d always found it difficult, with my introversion as well as my busy work schedule.
I knew a lot of the yachties on the island, but only casually.
But getting to know our condo neighbors was good - for me and for Rafe.
He needed that stimulation, being far more social than I.
We strolled along the water’s edge, and all three pups enjoyed a dip in the ocean. Ginger loved it the most. She refused to leave, and we had to coax her out of the water using treats. That told me that all three of our dogs were going to love the yachting life as much as we did.
Back at the condo, we set up their dog beds in the living area and got their food sorted. While they sniffed around the condo and investigated their new home, Rafe sent a group text to his family.
“Do you think your parents will be pleased that we’re engaged? They’re probably still getting used to the idea that we’re a couple,” I commented.
“I think they’ll be totally unsurprised given that it’s me we’re talking about. I’ve always been one to go my own way, and I know my own mind. And heart.”
Despite his reassurances, I had a nagging fear that they would not approve. It wouldn’t change anything, but I wanted their blessing.
“Ready?” Rafe asked as we sat on the sofa.
“Yes,” I replied and kissed him.
Luna and Stella jumped up next to us, snuggling in. I picked up Ginger and pulled her onto my lap. So much for the dog beds…
Rafe opened his laptop and clicked on the call link. His mum and dad popped up on one screen, followed by his sister Rebecca and Rowan last.
“Hello, darling. How are you? You look wonderful!” his mom exclaimed and waved at us. “You as well, George. You’re both looking so happy.”
Luna startled at the sound of Ruby’s voice and barked, which set off Stella and then Ginger. All three began to bark and howl in random bursts until Ginger leaned forward and licked the screen.
“Ginger, no,” I whispered softly as I pulled her back into my arms.
“Everyone, meet Luna, Stella, and Ginger. George and I adopted them this morning from the animal rescue.”
“They’re adorable,” Rebecca cooed. “Congratulations!”
“They’re so tiny and cute. You can get lovely carry bags and take them with you everywhere,” Ruby commented.
“Wait until I tell Andrew. He’s been after me for months about getting a dog. Congrats, you two,” Rowan chimed in with a big grin on his face.
“Thanks,” Rafe beamed.
“Who’s going to look after them when you’re traveling about and working?” Jamie asked in his usual brusque tone.
“Da, don’t worry. George will bring them along when he’s working on Now, Voyager .”
“They’ll have all the necessary training to be on board, Rowan. But the decision is still up to you,” I added.
“I’m all for it,” Rowan replied.
Rafe cleared his throat and looked at me. I nodded. Here we go.
“We have another big announcement to make. Last night, I asked George to be my husband. And he said yes.”
I held up my left hand.
Silence and shocked faces turned to screams and cheers from everyone. Except Jamie.
Rafe continued. “And we’d like to get married on Now, Voyager in February. A weeklong Valentine’s cruise.”
“That’s so romantic,” Rebecca exclaimed.
“I’m so happy,” Ruby said and started to cry.
“You’ve only been together for a few months. Shouldn’t you wait a bit longer before making such a commitment?” Jamie asked, his dark blue eyes concerned.
“Da, we love each other, and we know what we’re doing. It’s not like we just met two months ago, we’ve known each for a few years. I know you think I’m reckless about everything, including my career, but I’m not. I love George. I want to build my life with him. Please be happy for us.”
Jamie shook his head and gave a small smile. “I don’t think you’re reckless, son, and if I ever made you feel that way, I’m sorry. You’re a bright lad with a lot of energy and creativity, and I just want to see you reach your full potential.”
“I have. I’m very happy with my new business. And with George. He understands and supports me and my work, even if it means we’re sometimes apart. He loves me as I am.”
“Jamie,” I spoke up, as I took Rafe’s hand. “You know that I’m not a man who takes commitment lightly. And Rafe is the most important commitment of all. He is my heart, and I will do everything to protect, encourage, and love him. All I want is for his happiness.”
“Then I’m happy for both of you,” Jamie stated, then turned to his wife and she smiled at him, patting his cheek.
“Okay, enough emo stuff. Let’s get to the good part,” his sister commented. “The party planning.”
“Are you sure you still need me for the rest of this conversation?” I quipped and Rafe nudged my shoulder with his.
“No going back now, sweetheart. You said yes,” Rafe teased me.
“Show us the ring again!” Rowan shouted.
I held up my hand and everyone gasped.
“Gorgeous,” Ruby exclaimed.
“I’m going to have a similar one made for Rafe.”
“Similar but not the same?” Rafe asked.
“It’ll be a surprise,” I replied and turned to kiss him.
“My baby brother is getting married. I can’t believe it. We need to celebrate,” Rowan said.
“Why don’t you guys head down here to BVI?” Rafe suggested.
“I have a few meetings today and tomorrow, but Andrew and I can fly down to Grenada on the weekend.”
“That works for us as well. Becca?”
“I’m in,” his sister replied.
Rowan nodded. “ Now, Voyager is docked nearby, so we’ll travel to Virgin Gorda and celebrate at our house.”
“Perfect. Rafe and I, and the dogs, will take our boat over and meet you there.”
Once we made the arrangements for the weekend, we finished our call and took another with my best mates, Oscar and Simon, to tell them the happy news. They warmed to Rafe like I knew they would and were just as excited as Rafe’s family.
After an hour, I was talked out.
“How about a lie down?” Rafe asked me as he placed the dogs in their beds.
“Let’s test out the hammock; I want to be sure it fits both of us.”
I opened the patio door and the salty breeze enveloped me.
The pink hammock looked inviting, and I slid onto it carefully.
The gentle motion was soothing. Rafe stepped out onto the patio wearing only his blue briefs, pulling his hair out of the usual messy bun so it tumbled in wild waves around his face and shoulders.
“Come here, beautiful,” I whispered as I held out my hand.
Rafe smiled and drew closer. I slid my leg to the floor on one the side of the hammock to balance the weight while he maneuvered onto it from the other side.
Once he was safely lying down in my lap, and there was no danger of flipping over, I wrapped my arms and legs around him. We began to rock slowly, swaying in time to the gentle wind around us, the view nothing but blue sky and golden sand.
“This is paradise,” Rafe stated and squeezed my arms. I kissed his hair and let out my own deep sigh of contentment.
“Could you ever imagine that you and I would end up here?” I asked.
“Not hardly. But then, I’ve always believed that good things happen when you least expect them.”
“You and I are definitely a good thing.”
“No,” he replied as he turned his head to look up at me.
“No?”
“The best.”