Never Expected You

by Jody Holford

  “We have a lot to talk about,” he said.

  She sat beside him, her hand still in his, their thighs pressed together. He was having a hard time not hauling her onto his lap just to have her closer.

  “You said you paid Andrew back? I’m really sorry he let you down, Zach.”

  Staring out at the yard, he unclenched his jaw. “I hate what he did and that I brought a piece of that to your home and clinic.”

  Squeezing his hand, she leaned her head on his shoulder. “I didn’t want you to sell the property though. Why didn’t you sell the rental?” She straightened and looked at him, her cheeks flushed. “Not that you had to sell either. I really hadn’t intended for you to do that.”

  Cupping her cheek, he placed a kiss on the bridge of her nose then leaned back. “Funny story, actually.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’ve been renting the place out through an agency, so I didn’t know who was in there. When I went by in person to give them notice that I’d be selling, guess who it turned out to be?”

  Stella shrugged.

  “Colton.”

  “Oh no.” Her lips pressed together, and he knew what she expected. His heart pounded with the eagerness of telling her he’d taken the high road. Because it didn’t matter what had happened ten, twenty years ago. What mattered was now.

  “He’s living there with his girlfriend and her kid. Cute kid. Little boy. Anyway, long story short, they’re settled. It’s not a rental to them. It’s their home. And like you, he was waiting for me to toss him out on his ass.”

  Stella’s smile widened. “Then he doesn’t know you at all, does he?”

  He grinned. “And you do?”

  She nudged her way under his arm so she was cuddled up to him, and it felt perfect.

  “You have some demons, Zach. But you aren’t a jerk. You’re fair and kind and make the best decisions you know how. Did you tell them they could stay?”

  He shook his head and tried not to smile when her mouth opened in surprise.

  “Nope. I’m still selling.”

  “Zach,” she whispered.

  “I worked out a long-term rent to own with Colton and his girlfriend.”

  The smile jumped back onto her face and she threw her arms around him.

  “I’m proud of you,” she whispered. When she pulled back, she lowered her chin, then looked up at him through her lashes. “You’re not the only one who’s found a way to put the past behind them.”

  “No?”

  Stella shook her head. “Mr. Henley purchased fifteen acres for his son to raise his own dairy cows.”

  His smile felt like it came up from the depths of his soul. They were on the same page. He’d been dreading telling her there was no way to move forward, even with the two of them and some help, without letting some of it go.

  “We’re going to be okay,” he said.

  She scooted closer. “We are. I kept hanging onto the past, like maybe that would keep my dad here with me. But I think the best way to do that is to honor him by pushing this place forward.”

  “I agree. Which is why I have a present for you, and I don’t want any arguments.”

  Stella laughed. “What makes you think I’d argue over a present?”

  Placing a noisy kiss on her lips, he stood up. “You have a bit of a stubborn, independent streak.”

  Stella stood stretching when he came back around the house to the porch. He’d been bringing the portable ultrasound machine down to the barn, but then he’d heard her and Megan. His eyes tracked the hem of her shirt and his mouth watered at the sliver of skin she exposed with her arms up in the air. Zach had missed everything about her, but fuck, he’d missed touching her. Kissing her. Holding her close.

  “That’s…” She stopped, looking up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. And gratitude. Fuck. Finally.

  “This is just the beginning. We need new equipment, Stell. You know we do.”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes, tweaking the muscles around his heart. “What is it?”

  “C.C.’s been acting weird. I think it’s a suspensory ligament injury. But I couldn’t be sure. I’ve been pricing these out all week.”

  He handed her the box, then thought better of it, and set it down on the porch. “Now you don’t have to. We’re in this together, Stella. I want an extension on the contract.”

  She sniffed. “Oh yeah?” She laughed. “What time frame were you thinking?”

  He stepped into her, took her hand and held it tight. She was his anchor. “I’d like to suggest forever but don’t want to scare you. I’ll start with twenty-five to fifty years and we’ll renegotiate at a later date.”

  She blinked the tears away and one slipped over. He caught it with his thumb, swiped her cheek gently. “I think that sounds doable.”

  Taking a step toward her, intending to kiss her until neither of them could breathe, he stopped when he heard the vehicle approach. Before he could turn, Stella stepped into him and put her hands on his biceps, beaming up at him.

  “One more thing. I have a present for you, too.”

  Zach straightened, unable to hide his surprise. “You didn’t even know I’d be here.”

  “I planned to come to you. I was just trying to gather my courage and get things settled.”

  The fact that she was going to seek him out, that she’d planned to fight for them, settled every niggling doubt he’d buried.

  Curious, he asked, “What is it?” What else could there be? They had money to move forward without sacrificing her desire to not go corporate. They were in love. The hottest girl in town was in love with him. He looked up at the sky and smiled. Who’d have thought, eh, Trav?

  She gestured to the visitor even as the dogs headed for the drive. He and Stella gave them the stay command at the same time.

  He didn’t recognize the guy that got out of the aging truck, but obviously Stella did.

  The guy, probably a little older than Zach, was wearing a backward baseball cap and his clothes were covered with…wood?

  “Hey Stell!” The guy greeted, lifting an arm in the air and then walking to the back of the truck.

  “Hi Gary.” They walked closer, Stella squeezing his hand. “Gary, this is Zach Mason. Zach, this is Gary, he’s a local carpenter.”

  Gary came over to shake Zach’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Heard there was a new vet in town. Mason. Hmm, name sounds familiar.” Zach noted that there was no disdain in the man’s tone. It wasn’t a hey-I-knew-your-dad tone or hey, weren’t you the kid who hightailed it outta here ten years ago? Gary snapped his fingers. “Your mom. Sheila, right? She’s a riot on karaoke night.”

  Without realizing it, Zach smiled. Stella looked up at him. “We’ll have to check it out. Maybe do a duet.”

  Gary laughed and walked to the truck bed. Zach lowered his head so he could whisper in Stella’s ear. “Not a chance, babe.”

  She gave him a mock frown. “But you love me.”

  He laughed. Yeah, he did. “Damn right I do. But that makes me happy, not certifiably crazy.”

  She laughed, and his heart seemed to expand, putting pressure on his ribs. The kind of pressure he could definitely learn to live with.

  “Thought you’d want to see it before I install,” Gary said.

  He sensed Stella’s nervousness and was about to ask her about it, but she gave him a little push. Curious, he went to see what Gary was gesturing toward in his truck bed. His breath lodged so hard in his lungs, it felt like a bullet had whipped through him. He looked at the massive rectangular sign—beautifully carved—and then back at Stella. His eyes watered again and he couldn’t breathe.

  Stella rushed forward. “I talked to Travis’s mom. I told her I wanted to do something to help you honor him and I knew…no matter what happened between us that we’d find a way to still serve the town. That this,” she said, gesturing to the property with an outstretched arm, “would survive. Even if we didn’t. I also knew that both of us were struggling with the
same thing.”

  “What’s that?” he asked, his throat uncomfortably thick.

  Stella took his hands. “Learning how to let go of the past in a way we could still honor the people we loved and lost.”

  He shook his head, emotions swamping him. The sign read: Mackleby Lane Stables.

  “Stella,” he whispered.

  “I always thought it was weird that our farm didn’t really have a name and I thought it should. I figured, what better way to honor what we’re building than to pay tribute to two of the people who helped shape us. Are you mad?”

  Zach stepped away from the truck and took her face in his hands. He crushed her mouth under his and channeled everything he felt into kissing her. Jesus Christ, if he could swallow her whole, absorb her into his skin so she was a permanent part of him, he would. Instead, he held her tight and when he finally stopped kissing her, he looked her straight in the eyes and gave her everything.

  “Twenty-five to fifty isn’t enough. I changed my mind. I want it all, Stella. I want forever. I want everything. I know you’re scared and you’ve been hurt, but I want the same last name and to wake up every day with you and go to sleep every night beside you. I want the good and the bad and everything else in between. But I won’t push. You tell me when you’re ready. All you need to do is say the word. I’m ready.”

  Gary cleared his throat with a chuckle. “I’ll, uh, go get this hung up.”

  Stella bit her lip then smiled. “I like the sound of forever.”

  Pulling her close, Zach realized that he’d come home thinking he had it all together. Now, as he held the woman he loved in his arms, he knew he may not have been right at the time, but no matter what, as long as he had Stella, a woman he’d never expected or planned on, he didn’t just have it together. He had it all.

  Epilogue

  December 31st

  It was almost midnight and the twinkling lights were nearly as mesmerizing as the couple dancing under them. Adam said something into Megan’s ear, and she looked up at her new husband with such unadulterated adoration, Stella’s breath caught. The dress shimmered nearly as much as they did. With a full-bodied skirt and sweetheart bodice, it suited her friend completely. Adam looked every bit the charming prince in his black tuxedo. Stella felt like her heart actually sighed.

  She didn’t have to believe in miracles or fairy tales to know that magic was real. It was right there in front of her with Adam and Megan. As a hand snaked around her own stomach and she was pulled tight to Zach’s body, she acknowledged that it was right behind her as well. His lips touched the outer shell of her ear, which he had easy access to thanks to the fancy upswept hairstyle she was sporting.

  “We going to join them out there, Doc?”

  Stella shivered. “To dance?”

  Zach’s rumble of laughter traveled over every inch of her body. She’d laughed more, smiled more with him than she could remember doing in a long time.

  “I think we do anything more than that out there, we’d steal the spotlight.”

  Pressing her hand over Zach’s on her stomach, she bit her lip as he swayed softly side to side, his front glued to her back. A perfect fit. She hadn’t been thinking about dancing, but more, the idea of first dances and twinkling lights. The thought both excited and terrified her in equal measure.

  “Do you want to dance?” he asked, his breath tickling her skin.

  Declan walked onto the dance floor holding the hand of a tall blond Stella didn’t recognize. She smiled, thinking how not long ago, she’d been as adamant as Adam’s best friend about not needing love or promises. Now, she wanted both and she wanted to give them.

  Turning in Zach’s arms, she pushed her own up around his neck and stared into the eyes that had sucked her in from the moment she saw him.

  “I do. I want to dance with you. Tonight, and any other night we can. But mostly…” She went up on her tiptoes and Zach scooped her closer.

  “Mostly what, babe?”

  He’d taken so many chances on her and too many times, she’d pulled away, scared to want too much. It was her turn to take a chance and give him the truth. And she wasn’t even scared.

  He ran his nose along hers and she smiled, giving in to her heart. “Mostly, I want to dance with you at our own wedding.”

  Zach’s eyes widened, and his fingers tightened, digging into her skin through her dress. “Don’t mess with me, Doc.” His voice was husky and low.

  Stella laughed. “I wouldn’t.”

  His fingers loosened, but his hold didn’t. The music swelled around them, but everything fell away. All she could see was the hunger and happiness and love in his eyes.

  “Just to make sure I’m not misunderstanding, you’re asking me to marry you, Doc?”

  Her cheeks hurt from smiling. “You did say all I had to do was ask.”

  “I did, and I meant it. There’s nothing I want more.”

  “That’s a yes?” Her heart thundered in her chest.

  Zach’s forehead lowered to hers and his eyes closed just for a minute. “It’s an absolutely-as-soon-as-possible hell yes.”

  She went on tiptoe to kiss him, but he pulled back slightly. “I didn’t bring the ring.”

  “You have a ring?” A swarm of butterflies took flight in her stomach.

  “Damn right I do. I think I fell in love with you about two seconds after I entered the clinic. Even before we straightened things out, I knew I wanted you to be my wife, my partner, my forever.”

  Tears burned, and she didn’t try to stop them. Nodding as one slipped down her cheek, she whispered, “I love you. You’re everything I never knew I wanted or needed.”

  They stayed there, staring at each other, laughter and love surrounding them as they basked in their own happiness. Stella rested her head against his solid chest, listening to his heart for a few minutes, absorbing the feel of his arms around her waist. This was home. Pulling back, she looked up at him.

  “I thought of something I want more,” she said.

  His eyebrow arched. “More than marrying me?”

  She nodded, and he stared, kept staring while Stella smiled at him, wondering if he’d guess.

  “There’s only one thing I can think of that I want as badly as I want you to be my wife.”

  She grinned. Yeah. They were good partners. She might even say they were meant to be.

  His hand slid down her back, across her hip, and he swept the back of it along her belly and his eyes glanced up, full of tenderness, passion, and love. Flutters erupted and her heart spasmed so hard she was surprised she could breathe through it.

  “You want to have babies with me, Doc?” His words were whispered, but she heard him just fine.

  “I do.” She wanted it all. With him. Their very own version of happily ever after.

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  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, always, to my family who makes me so incredibly happy which makes it easier to write books. There are so many people that take part in helping a story work. People in my own private circle, friends and family, people who let me bounce ideas off of them without wondering why I’m asking such weird questions that I probably don’t even phrase properly. Then there’s my editors (one of whom I actually got to meet this summer and is every bit as wonderful and adorable in real life as she is online). Cover makers, editors who don’t send me angry faces because I still don’t know how to use a comma. Twitter pals, the Romance Chicks, new friends, old friends. Writing is solitary but I am definitely not alone.

  Thank you to LVD for giving me more information on cows than I wanted to need ;). To everyone at Entangled that helped make this book so much better, thank you. To anyone I forgot to list, I appreciate you: I just have a really bad memory. To my agent, Fran who answers my emails no matter how long they are. To Nicole who has s
aved me from having to post on social media so I could focus on this story.

  To readers—thank you for hanging out with Zach and Stella. Stacey, Cole, Tanya—you’re getting a direct shout out this time because no matter what, you’re right there encouraging me and stealing book boyfriends from one another. It matters and so do you. Thank you. And thanks to Helen Hoang for not minding that our characters have the same name. I wish our Stellas could spend time together ;)

  Thank you to Jennifer Probst for being so kind and approachable. Thank you for writing Write Naked. It’s made every book struggle I’ve hit since I read it a little easier to navigate.

  About the Author

  Jody Holford lives in British Columbia with her family. She’s unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything. She writes multiple genres, but her favorite is romance. Visit her online at http://www.jodyholfordauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter here to stay up to date on all of Jody’s new releases.

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