Chapter 5 #3
“You are not going to believe this. This fine fella here came to hang out in the gardens with me and led me straight to his pile of goodies. He’s been hiding all our stuff right outside the cottage door all this time.
I found everything we were missing. Not sure why or how he got it, but maybe the door was open, and he helped himself. Where’s Milo?”
“Well, he won the contest, and he had to go deal with that, help that person we were telling you about. He should be back soon.”
Unsure what to do with herself in the meantime, Delaney walked the dog along the crashing waves, struggling to find an answer as to how she was going to come back to the place that now felt more like home than anywhere else.
“My people are here. I’ve got nothing back there. I’ve got friends, love, a family, and maybe even a dog at this point, right here. All I need is some money to begin again, but how?”
No answers came, as she sat in the sand, her new buddy happy to join her and lie down, she thought. Inspiration was leaving her, as the worries of real life were taking over. Time was ticking, and she knew what her heart desired but had no clue how to get it.
Darkness was approaching as she returned to the tent, not a soul around but a few people cleaning up. A note sat under a salt shaker.
Delaney, I need to talk to you. Meet me at the place you fell in love with, it's important.
It looked like Nova’s handwriting, but she couldn’t be sure. Leash in hand, a quick sample of a leftover sandwich on the judge's table, and she was off, headed to the only place she could think of, the book and art store.
When she arrived, no one was there, but the door stood open. Confused, she held tight to the leash and leaned her head in. “You got me, buddy, we're together, right? Hello!”
“Come on in, I’m back here.”
The voice familiar, Milo’s, she followed the sound to find him in a chair in a corner of the shop, a painting she’d made in his hands. “Nice work. This would make a really good sign out front, to showcase your skills. I bet people will come from far and wide to buy your creations.”
Sighing, a bit confused, Delaney looked around as she’d done before. “Yes, that is if I can buy this place. How did you get in here, and where is that nice couple who are retiring?”
“Alana and Boris, they left me the key. I talked to them earlier; we know each other. They come in once a week when they are able; they’ve been busy the last few weeks. Nice couple.”
“Okay. I’m confused. What are we doing, Milo? I thought the note was written by Nova. Where is everyone?”
Too tired to argue, she found another nearby chair and sat, giving the dog a good rub down.
“I had her write the note because I was busy. They aren’t around, but soon they’ll all be back. I just wanted a couple of minutes alone with you.”
His pain weighed heavily on her heart as she had no clue when she’d return. She sighed. “I know this is…”
“Here, take this.” His hand held out an envelope. Shaking inside, she clutched it. “I can’t, I won’t let you give me money, Milo. I love you, but–”
His hand pressed hers closed. “It's not money, it's the deed to this place. I won the contest today, you were my good deed, you and Alana and Boris. They were never going to get their asking price for this place; it’s too run-down and old. You were never going to come up with the money, but this prize allowed me to help them retire, happily and easily knowing they’d be able to take care of themselves.
And I could help you get your heart's desire, a fresh start, and we can be together.’
Shocked, Delaney let go of the dog's leash, unable to control the tears or her emotions. “Oh my goodness, you did this for me and then Milo. I don’t know what to say.”
They both rose at the same time. Delaney, overcome with emotions, threw herself into his arms, gratitude and love so great she could barely breathe with it. “I love you so much. You're such an amazing man, you did this all for everyone, and I can never thank you enough.”
His laughter in her eyes was not surprising. “Well, I was a tiny bit selfish. I want you here with me, and you know you let go of the dog.”
“Goodness, I know, he’s probably back in your gardens digging a new hole.”
“Who cares, he can dig all the holes he wants as long as I have you. I love you, Delaney, forever. I love you now, and always. You're the love of my life, the only love.”
“I love you too, Milo.” Delaney kissed him with all the emotions she had deep inside her. For the first time in her life, she could just be, surrender, and feel. “Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart, my love, always my love, forever.”
She clung to him, feeling the return of passion he felt for her in his kiss. She surrendered to it, and a future so bright with happiness and love she’d never imagined.
Far off, out of her vision in the realm of nothingness that everything else had become, a door opened and closed behind her.
Quiet footsteps walked on old floorboards to the back room, where they clung to each other.
Maveryk’s voice broke through the haze of passion and love they shared. “Well, well, it looks like happily ever after does happen. Hey, when you’re done there, brother, I found this dog attached to a rope. I think you got a new buddy.”