Chapter 5 #2
“Me too, baby. You think you're the only one? I’ve never loved anyone as I love you, and I’ve never been married, never wanted that, but with you, I do. I love you, always.”
The kiss sealed their fate, and though she was scared, nothing felt more perfect or right than saying yes to him. Embraced in his arms, feeling his warmth, surrounded by him, the future looked brighter than she’d imagined.
Swept up in his arms as he carried her back to the festival, Nova clung to him, arms around his neck, feeling so much. “Put me down, Maveryk, you're going to embarrass everyone.”
“No, for the first time in my life, I want everyone to know I’m in love and happy to be here. We're getting married.” His voice carried through and around the tents, people smiling as he walked, stopping at Milo’s tent.
“Well, looks like she said yes. It’s about time, Nova. Now I can call you sister, as that’s what you always should have been.”
Delaney stood beside Milo, a warm smile on her face. “What a perfect ending to this adventure. Let me see that rock!”
Nova happily held out the pear-shaped engagement ring, the sparkle catching her eye. “It's beautiful, but again so was the first one.”
“I’m not going there, love. Just know I love you enough to buy two.”
“It's gorgeous, so beautiful.” Delaney held her fingers to take a closer look. “What a beauty. Now onto more humble things, I’m just sorry we never found out stuff.”
“Well, we’ve got plenty of good food, and I need to win this contest, friends. I’ve got something special planned.”
“Do you? I’d like to hear what you're doing with that money if you win Milo.” Nova kept her arms around Maveryk when he set her down.
“He’s giving it to someone who’s really in need of financial help if he wins. We have to make sure he gets the prize. I almost want to go over and eavesdrop on the judging table, but I think I’m going back to the cottage for a minute, excuse me.”
Confused, Nova watched her friend go, turning to Milo when she was gone. “What’s she up to?”
He shrugged. “Still determined to find your stuff. I think it's bothering her. She wouldn’t stop talking about the store she wants to buy in town. I’ve been there once or twice and know the owners. She wanted to figure out how to fund it.”
Nova smiled. “Well, if you win the prize, maybe you could help.”
“I was thinking about it. You're okay with her not joining your Inn project?”
Nova leaned her head on Maveryk’s chest, feeling she’d finally found the home she’d always wanted, not a place but people. “Yes, I’m okay with it. She will be in town and working not far, so we can spend time together. It would be perfect if someone could come up with the money and give it to her.”
Maveryk’s hand stroked her hair, gentle and easy.
Nova snuggled a little closer. “Wait, why does she have to get money gifted to her. I’m lost as to what the issue is.
I get it, she wants to do this on her own, but if you love her and she loves you, why not just take it from you? We’ve got more than enough to share.”
The event was winding down, vendors still showcasing their food, but the judges had made their decision. The event, set to continue through the evening with food, drinks, and music, would be a party to celebrate the success of whoever won.
A voice over the loudspeaker said something she didn’t register as she watched Milo mix another batch of his masterful creation.
Nova was tired, but there was still so much she needed to do, think about, and coordinate as a man in a grey suit with a bald head came up beside her.
“Well, Milo, that dish you created won it all. What a delicacy, I can’t tell you how delighted I was by the taste.
I want the recipe, just so you know. But here is your check. ”
Nova screamed, excited. “You won! Milo, you won!”
Delaney
Delaney wanted very much to stay in town, go home, gather her things, quickly cut ties, and come back. “Not going to be an easy task, you know this.” She sat on a bench in the garden, admiring the view.
Out of the corner of her eye, a grey dog with a scruffy tail came into view, stopping to regard her for a moment, then headed to a far corner of the garden and started digging.
“Oh no, buddy. What are you doing? You can’t bury a bone there, and if you’ve got one already buried, you are going to…”
Delaney moved fast, grabbing a hold of the dog's black collar and holding him in place. Moving up beside him, she gave him a soft scratch behind the ears, his hot dog breath fanning across her bare legs as she looked down.
“You are just the sweetest dog, I wonder who… Oh my!”
Stunned, Delaney reached around and down. “My purse, and Nova’s. You silly dog, you’ve taken all our stuff and buried it in the garden. Oh my!”
Laughter bubbled up inside her and out as she knelt to grab their things. Dirty but everything in place, she could barely hold it all and his collar. “Come here, boy.”
It took some doing, tears running down her face, and stumbling as she went, but Delaney was able to get back to the cottage, dump their stuff on the porch, and sit. “What’s your name?”
The dog sat, face breathing at her, as she examined his broken collar. “Oh, you poor boy, it looks broken. How am I going to find your owner? They probably miss you.”
She found some rope and tied it to his collar. “Come on, let's get you something to eat, until I can find your owner, I can’t let you go.”
The walk was easy, and the dog was more than happy to join the food festivities. Stopping at each station as things were winding down a bit, everyone was more than happy to share a sample with the dog.
It took a long time to get to Milo’s tent, and by the time she and the dog did, they were both stuffed, not a soul knew the dog or who might own it.
When they finally stopped at the stand, Milo was nowhere to be found, Fern in his place, Maveryk and Nova helping. “Looks like you found a new friend.”