‘That’s our first paying customer,’ he says, washing his hands before drinking his coffee.
‘You see, it is going to work out,’ I say, sitting on the table and swinging my legs.
‘You’re right.’ He gives me a long searching look that makes my heart lurch. ‘We make a good team.’
‘I know, but I’ve been thinking – there’s something missing.’
‘I can guess what you’re going to say.’ The expression in his dark eyes is soft and gently teasing. ‘Aren’t I enough for you?’
‘You’re more than man enough,’ I say, ‘but—’
‘You’re keen to hear the patter of tiny paws . . .’ he finishes for me. ‘I think we should pay a visit to the Sanctuary to see if we can find a suitable practice manager.’
‘Canine or feline?’ I ask, unable to disguise my excitement.
‘I’d prefer a dog that we can take on long walks together.’
‘I’ll go for that,’ I say, picturing us strolling hand in hand along the river or across the escarpment while our canine companion runs free, playing with the other dogs that we meet on our way.
‘What else will you go for, Shannon?’ He walks over to me and puts his mug down next to mine. I hear the chink as they touch. I feel his hands on my waist and his hair brushing against my cheek as he stands in front of me.
‘You, I suppose,’ I say, confused.
‘I suppose? What’s that supposed to mean?’
I look into his eyes. ‘I love you,’ I murmur.
‘And . . . ?’
‘I can’t imagine life without you . . .’
‘How about kids? You’re great with George and the twins.’
‘I’d like to be a mum one day.’
‘I want a family too, not straight away, but in a couple of years when this place is up and running and we’ve had some fun together.’ He pauses and I reach up and stroke his curls because, suddenly, he looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights, as if he’s scared himself.
‘Go on,’ I say.
‘Are you sure?’
I nod. My chest is tight with emotion. I can hardly breathe, let alone speak.
‘Okay, here goes.’ He touches his forehead to mine. ‘I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. Since the very first time we met, when you mistook me for the courier, I’ve been falling in love with you a little more each day, apart from when you gave me hassle with Maz for being rude to Mrs Wall, and had a go at me for fixing the bike indoors, and on many other occasions I could mention.’ I can tell from the tone of his voice that he’s more relaxed now, almost smiling. ‘I adore you and want to give you lots of babies, but I want to do it right. Shannon, darling, will you marry me?’ He blunders on, not giving me a chance to respond. ‘I’ll prove that I can be patient. I can wait for as long as it takes for your answer.’
‘I’m not going to keep you waiting,’ I say, throwing my arms around his neck. ‘The answer is yes.’
‘Really?’ He wipes a tear from my cheek. ‘Are you absolutely sure?’
‘Yes, yes, yes!’ I slide from the table into his embrace, and we’re both laughing and crying at the same time.
‘You are so beautiful,’ Ross says. ‘I love you more them anyone in the world.’
‘I love you too.’ My heart is bursting with happiness as I press my cheek to his. I love him for his patience and loyalty. I love him for not giving up on me when I kept knocking him back. ‘I will always love you.’
‘I bet Mrs Wall didn’t see this in her crystal ball,’ he adds softly, but I reckon he’s mistaken.
‘She predicted it when she read my palm at the Country Show,’ I say, recalling what she said this morning about ‘for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse’. ‘She made a bet with you, remember?’ I smile. ‘I think you owe her a tenner.’
Also by Cathy Woodman
Follow Me Home
ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE
Pegasus Books Ltd
148 West 37th Street, 13th Fl.
New York, NY 10018
Copyright 2016 © by Cathy Woodman
First Pegasus Books hardcover edition November 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts in connection with a review in a newspaper, magazine, or electronic publication; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other, without written permission from the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-68177-238-7
ISBN: 978-1-68177-282-0 (e-book)
Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Vets of the Heart Page 38
