CHAPTER EIGHT #2
I look at Ethan, struggling to find the words.
I know the cost is usually in the training and that people usually have to go to a training facility for several weeks to learn to work with their dog.
“I mean…them coming to us…that can’t be cheap at all, and to find one close and that’s already just about ready?
I know that has to add a lot to the cost. Neither she nor I have that kind of capital—” Ethan waves his hand and shakes his head to stop me.
“I’m not saying this to give you the opportunity to buy it.
I want to get it for her as payment, and a thank you for all her work and suggestions she’s given me.
With her help, I plan for the Axeman stadium to be the most accommodating sports arena in the league, hell, in the country.
I see it as a way to say thank you to someone who didn’t ask for thanks and would’ve kept helping me as long as I asked her with nothing in return.
It’s not often in my life that I’ve come across someone as kind and generous with her time like that.
This is my small way of saying thank you.
Plus, it gives her help when I send you out of town on road trips. ”
I look at him. “I don’t have words. That’s beyond generous of you.
I was looking into it since I know her sight is getting worse every day, but I was worried about the cost and about her having to be gone so long.
You…just…just thank you.” Ethan shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders as he moves off the wall.
“Money is easy to come by, and I can always make more. People like your girl, Hanna, that’s a rarity.
Someone so kind, funny, strong, and compassionate…
that’s something our world needs more of.
No matter what your future holds in this sport, I’d like to believe I’ve made a friend for life in her.
That’s something I hold dear to my heart.
This is just a small gesture of thanks. Now, off you go to coach the young folk or whatever it is you’ve got planned for today.
Tell my friend to pack her bags and get ready for Vegas.
I’ll let you know which day I’ll bring the puppy by. Mum's the word till then.”
Well then, I guess it’s Viva Las Vegas.
Hanna
We got to Vegas last night, and today we’ve watched three rugby matches with one more to go. I love watching them with Cade. He explains everything to me and sees things about the guys and the moves they make that I don’t think anyone else notices. He’s got a serious talent for it.
We’ve got plans tonight to go out to a fancy dinner.
Cade claims it will be almost our first real date at a fancy restaurant.
I think after we’ve moved in together you can hardly call it a first date, but it is the first time we’re gonna get all fancied up.
I got a pretty dress and everything. Emma and Amy claimed it was the perfect dress for a night out in Vegas.
Ethan got us a beautiful room with a magnificent view of the strip.
Well, the blurry, sparkly lights are pretty.
I’ll take Cade’s word for it that it’s stunning.
He leans into me and kisses my temple. “I think we can just watch the first half of this one. Both these teams are playing tomorrow, so we can get a good look at them between the two matches. I want us to have plenty of time to go back to the room and take our time to get ready for dinner.” I look up to him and smile.
“I’m along for the ride with you this weekend. Where you go, I go.”
We make it back to our room in plenty of time to get ready.
We both shower, and I’m in the bathroom doing my hair and using the lighted magnifying mirror that Mom found for travel to help as I put on my makeup.
I curl my hair into loose curls and let them cascade down my back, a very different look than my normal messy bun.
I slip into the dress, and it hugs my curves.
It’s not something I normally wear, but both Emma and Amy swear it looks great on me.
We might have made a last-minute shopping trip when Cade told me about this trip.
He mentioned going out for a nice dinner, and I realized I didn’t own a single fancy dress.
Well, unless you count my prom dress from high school.
I decided it’s likely I won’t get to Vegas again in my lifetime, so it was worth splurging on a dress.
I love that it’s a deep sapphire color. It’s my favorite color, mainly because I can still see it, but it also reminds me of the summer sky at dusk and watching the stars as a kid.
I can’t do that anymore, but the memories are clear.
The dress shows just a hint of cleavage, but the back is plunging, revealing my vine tattoo down my spine.
The dress goes to just below my knees, and I have strappy heels to slip on right before we head out.
Before I stepped out of the bathroom, I made sure the dress was adjusted correctly.
Cade’s got the curtains open and the lights on so I can see in the room, and what I see has my mouth watering.
Cade’s standing in the room, wearing a light gray button-up shirt.
He’s got the sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up slightly.
He’s got on black trousers and shoes, and he looks completely edible.
I must make a noise because Cade looks up from his phone, sees me, and growls. He actually makes a growl mixed with a whimper sound. When his eyes reach mine, his are full of a hunger I’ve never seen before.
“Holy hell. I’ve known since the day we met you were the most beautiful woman in any room you walked into, but tonight Vegas is going to know too.
” He moves toward me and leans forward, giving me a quick kiss, as if he’s afraid to kiss me deeply, knowing he wouldn’t be able to stop.
He pulls back from me and looks like he’s trying to read something on my face.
He bites his lip for just a second before speaking up.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a bit and was trying to decide on the right time, but I think just being the two of us here together is the right time.
” The man is speaking in riddles until he moves and gets down on one knee. Oh my gods. Is he?