Page 90 of Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village

‘Oh, yes. Did you really think she’d leave them standing empty for even a day or two?’ Percy closed the door behind them before wrapping his arm around Flora’s waist.

Megan laughed and shook her head. ‘No, I don’t suppose I did.’

Flora glanced back at the new kennel block. ‘It just feels so wonderful to be able to rescue four more dogs than we could before. This is really going to make a difference.’

‘You bet it will.’ Jay pointed ahead and nudged Megan’s arm. ‘It looks as though someone’s eager to see you.’

Looking towards the window of Wagging Tails, Megan grinned. Cindy was jumping up and down at the window. ‘Aw, I miss her when I’m at work.’

‘I know you do, lovely. She misses you too.’ Flora touched her on the forearm. ‘She waits at that door, usually lying across the doormat, waiting for you.’

‘She’s such a gorgeous soul.’ Megan smiled. ‘And I can’t believe what a difference Sally’s training is making to her separation anxiety. You wouldn’t have been able to leave her alone in the reception area like this a few months ago.’

‘No, you wouldn’t.’ Flora nodded. ‘She’ll be ready to be rehomed in no time.’

Megan nodded and swallowed, a lump forming in her throat. That’s all she’d ever wanted for Cindy, a loving home, but she sure would miss her. When she was volunteering here or whenever she was over at the cottage, Cindy was glued to her side. It would feel strange her not being there.

Jay glanced from Megan to Cindy at the window and back again. ‘Flora, we’ll catch you up in just a moment, if that’s okay?’

‘Of course it is, lovely.’

‘We will?’ Megan paused and waited until Flora and Percy had walked a few metres ahead before turning to him. ‘Is everything all right?’

‘Yes, it is.’ Jay looked at the ground and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I was going to wait until tomorrow at dinner, after your exam, to talk to you about this, but this feels like the right time.’

‘Oh.’ She frowned. What was it he wanted to talk about now? Him telling her he loved her had been surprise enough, what else did he want to say? She took his hands in hers. ‘I’m listening.’

‘Now I know this probably sounds rash, but I’ve been thinking about it for a while now and I’ve been waiting for the right time to talk to you about it.’

‘Go on…’ Megan ran the pad of her thumb across the back of his hand.

‘Okay, I will.’ He glanced away from her before catching her eye again. ‘I’m just going to come out with it and if you think it’s a crazy idea, then that’s fine. I won’t be offended.’

‘Jay, what is it?’

He took a deep breath in, his gaze unwavering. ‘Will you move in with me?’

Opening and closing her mouth, Megan felt her stomach flip. ‘Move in with you?’

‘Yes, we’ve been seeing each other a while now, and although I know it’s not been that long in the great scheme of things, I think we know each other by now, really know each other.’ He shrugged. ‘I think it would be great.’

She grinned. She didn’t even need a moment to think about it, moving in with Jay felt like the most natural step to take in the world. ‘I’d love to.’

‘Great, great. Which leads me to the next suggestion I’d like to make.’ He looked across at Wagging Tails as Flora and Percy reached the door. ‘Why don’t we adopt Cindy? She loves you so much, and as you said, her separation anxiety is improving all the time.’

‘Really?’ Dropping his hands, she reached around his neck.

‘Yes, really. You’ll be working from home soon enough and we can get a dog walker until then, so she’s not at home alone for any length of time.’ He shrugged. ‘I think it could work.’

Megan shook her head. ‘I don’t know what to say. You’ve thought of everything. That would be perfect.’

Jay smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘You moving in will be perfect, adopting Cindy will be the icing on the cake, so to speak.’

‘I love you.’ Cupping his cheeks in her hands, she leaned forward and kissed him.

As he kissed her back, he began to chuckle and moved away slightly. ‘I think she likes the idea.’

Following Jay’s gaze, Megan watched as Cindy came charging out of the door and sped across the courtyard towards them.

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