Kelly looked puzzled at Josie’s reaction. “Yes. I’ve had him since he was a foal, and I’m not moving without him.”
“I’ll start working on the paddock next week. You’re willing to move. I like the sound of that.”
“I think I was clear when I told you I want someone to share my life. I love you, and I want it to be you. Like I said, you’re here, and I want to be where you are. The doctor offered me a job today. It was an unexpected surprise. He’s been shorthanded for a while, and all the nurses coming to the island want to go work at the new facility. I kind of enjoy the idea of working nine-to-five and no weekends.”
Josie sat back on the bench, absorbing what Kelly was saying. “You’d said you were looking for a change. This sounds as if it’s an opportunity for something different. We have Pogo and your job taken care of. I want you in my life. I want to be in yours. I love you, and I want us to make a life together. I hope you’ll be happy living here with me at the resort, on Drummond Island. That’s what I want. What’s next?”
“I think that’s it, lover. I’ll give my boss, Janis, notice and go home to pack.” Kelly leaned against her as she spoke. “I’m not sure how long it’ll take to get things settled with my house.”
“When do you think you’ll leave?”
“In a few days. I want this arm to heal before I start packing.”
“I don’t want to spend a day without you in my life, but I’m willing to try to be patient to begin our forever. It’s getting chilly out here. Let’s go home and tell Nooko our plans.” She kissed Kelly and they walked hand in hand back to the car.
* * *
They went straight into Josie’s room via the back door to her bedroom, instead of going in through the main lodge the way they usually did.
“Oh, I like this entryway. It’s close to the bed.” Kelly pulled her toward the bed as she spoke.
“Kelly.” Josie sat on the edge of her bed holding Kelly at arm’s length. “If we get on this bed now, we’ll miss dinner and probably breakfast, and Nooko will be standing in the doorway tapping her foot.”
Kelly kissed her and groaned. “Okay.” Kelly stepped back but held on to her hands.
“I’ll miss you.” Josie kissed her hard, wanting to memorize the feel of her lips for the time they’d be apart.
“I’ll miss you, too. Maybe you can work on Pogo’s fence while I’m gone.”
“He’s first on my list.” Josie chuckled. “You come back safe to me, love.”
“Plan on it.” Kelly turned and pushed her back against the wall with her good arm and kissed her again.
Josie grabbed her ass and pulled her tight against her, needing to feel their combined heartbeats. She slid her hands under Kelly’s T-shirt to feel her warmth and the softness of her skin. She opened her eyes, took a breath, and absorbed her sight and scent. She memorized her soft murmurs and her taste as she gently nibbled her lower lip. She reluctantly moved away when she heard Nooko’s voice calling from the living room. “I guess we better get out there before she comes looking and finds us naked.” Josie released Kelly and went to find Nooko.
“Did Kelly get her stitches out?” Nooko stood in the middle of the room, leaning on her cane and looking puzzled.
“She did.”
“I wondered where you two went. Come sit. I want to talk. Where’s Kelly?”
“Right here.” Kelly came out of the bedroom and snaked her good arm around Josie’s waist to pull her close.
Nooko looked at them with narrowed eyes, then with a huge knowing grin. “It’s about time. I planned to sit you two down and talk some sense into you both.” She looked at Kelly, then turned to Josie. “The way I see it, you’ve been given a second chance from the Creator, and I’m glad you’ve decided to take advantage of it.”
“I think you’re right, Ruth. We’re going to take advantage of every day we’re given.” Kelly looked at Josie as she spoke.
“Kelly’s going to move in with me, Nooko. As soon as she takes care of things at her house.”
“When are you leaving?”
“In a couple of days. I have a job lined up, and Josie’s making room for my horse, so I don’t expect to be gone long.”
Nooko’s tears began as she and Kelly stepped close to give her a hug. “Today must be the day for tears of joy.” Nooko sniffled and returned the embrace.
Chapter Forty
Josie stepped back and reviewed the small barn and fenced area that would be Pogo’s new home. She’d researched the project extensively before tackling it, and it’d turned out better than she’d expected. She hoped Kelly would like it. Thoughts of Kelly never left her the closer it came to the day of her arrival. She’d be home in two days, and Josie wanted everything to be perfect. She put away all her tools and went to find Nooko.
“I’m in here rearranging, honey.”
Jose stood in her doorway to watch Nooko unpack a suitcase and hang clothes in the closet. “I’m glad you decided to stay the winter and you’re settling in. Like I told you, if you forgot anything, we can pop back to your house and get it.”
“Thank you, dear. I think I’ll be fine. Thank you again for taking me back to check on my house. I feel settled knowing everything is okay there.” She sat on the edge of her bed. “Kelly’s coming home soon, isn’t she?”
“Yes. She’ll be here the day after tomorrow, and she’s having her horse trailered right behind her.”
“I can’t wait to see her. She’s only been gone a few weeks, but it seems like forever.”
Josie understood what Nooko meant. She’d taken her back to her house to pick up clothes and personal items, and she’d closed everything up for the winter. Then she’d finished Pogo’s new lodging. Now, as she paced the lodge and longed for Kelly’s touch and her kisses, the time seemed to drag. She built a fire, settled on the couch, and called Barb.
“Hi, stranger. How’s everything going?”
“Good, Barb. Nooko’s unpacking and settling in, and I just finished Kelly’s horse’s area. Any word on that strongbox?”
“I don’t think there’s any way you’ll get to keep the gold coins, but maybe some of the rest of the stuff. The police sent it to the FBI and they’ll decide what will happen to it. Anyway, they’ll let you know.”
“Thanks. Do we know when Abe goes to trial yet?” Josie squelched the bubbling anger that hadn’t stopped simmering.
“Not yet. I’m sure he’ll go away for at least twenty years. I’m hoping he gets a life sentence. When’s Kelly arriving?”
“Day after tomorrow.” Josie shifted the phone to her other ear and stretched her legs out on the couch and tried to relax. “I can’t wait.”
“I’m really happy for you, Josie. Give Kelly a hug for me when she gets there.”
“Thanks, Barb. I will. Maybe next week we can get together. We’ll let Kelly get settled in a little first.”
“Sounds good. Take care.”
Josie disconnected the call and stoked the fire before heading to her studio.
She attached the final row of beads on their dream catcher. She held it to the light and watched the beads sparkle tiny reflections lighting the way for good dreams. She swung it gently, happy with the slight sway of the smaller hoops and the fluttering of the willowy feathers suspended from them. One for her and one for Kelly. Two together forever. Like their love. She carefully carried it out of her studio to their bedroom and hung it on the wall at the head of their bed. Soon, love. We’ll be together soon.
* * *
“She’s here.” Nooko beamed as she rose from her seat by the lodge window.
“I see her. I’ll go help her unload.” Josie rushed out the door.
“Hi, lover. I’ve missed you.” Kelly stepped out of her car with her arms open wide.
“Me, too. Phone calls just didn’t cut it.” Josie pulled her into her arms and kissed her.
Her passion flared as their kiss deepened. She wanted to feel Kelly everywhere. She’d already claimed
her heart, and now she craved to claim her body and soul. Realizing they were standing in the middle of the parking lot, she slowly moved away.
“Let’s get Pogo unloaded. The rest can wait for the moving van to arrive.”
Josie led Kelly to the new barn and helped her get Pogo settled, amazed at how well trained he was. “He’s a good boy, isn’t he?”
“Oh, yes. He’s my baby. Thanks for making him such a comfortable home.” Kelly kissed her and pushed her against the wall of his stall.
Josie was certain they’d have made love right there in the cold barn if they hadn’t both been wearing coats. “Let’s take this in where it’s warm.” She nuzzled Kelly’s neck as she spoke and took her hand to lead her inside.
“I thought you two got lost,” Nooko teased them.
“I’ve missed you, Ruth.” Kelly released her grip on Josie’s hand to hug Nooko.
Josie poked the fire to distract her from her need to immediately drag Kelly to bed. “I picked up a few pasties in honor of your homecoming. We can eat before the movers get here if you’d like. Then I have something I want to show you.”
“Ah. No. May I see it now?” Kelly stood with her hands on her hips.
Josie laughed. “Come on.” She reached out her hand.
Kelly grasped her hand and allowed herself to be led to the bedroom. She gently touched the new dream catcher over the bed. “Beautiful.”
“One hoop for you and one for me, and a big one for us together, for our shared dreams. You like it?”
“I love it. And I love you. Thank you for making it. We are going to have wonderful dreams.”
“Yep. Dreams of our forever.” She wrapped Kelly in her arms and kissed her.
About the Author
C. A. Popovich (capopovichfiction.weebly.com) is a hopeless romantic. She writes sweet, sensual romances that usually include horses, dogs, and cats. Her main characters—and their loving pets—don’t get killed and always end up with happily-ever-after love. She is a Michigan native, writes full-time, and tries to get to as many Bold Strokes Books events as she can. She loves feedback from readers.
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