Page 93 of Open Season

“I know. Todd called me.”

“Todd.” He growled the name. He liked Todd, even trusted him, but suddenly he felt the hot bite of jealousy. He didn’t like Daisy’s easy friendship with the man, because even if she still had doubts about Todd’s sexual orientation, he didn’t.

“Don’t just stand there, come in,” she said, taking Midas from him and setting the puppy on the floor, where he bounced off in search of recreation. “Go take a shower while I cook breakfast.”

That sounded like heaven. He was already pulling off his clothes as he left the room, though he still had enough wit about him to take everything with him and not leave it on the floor for sharp puppy teeth to shred. Something, a sudden sharp need to get everything in order and nailed down, stopped him in the doorway. He looked back at her. “Daisy.”

She paused at the kitchen door. “Yes?”

“Remember the deal we made?”

“Which deal?”

“That I’d marry you if you got pregnant.”

Her cheeks got pink. He loved it that she could still blush. “Of course I remember. I wouldn’t have begun this affair with you if you’d said no. People have to be responsible, and if you think you can weasel out of the deal now—”

“Let’s go to Gatlinburg this weekend and get married.”

Her eyes rounded and her lips parted in surprise. “But I’m not pregnant. At least, I don’t think . . . It was just that once, and—”

“So we try again,” he said, shrugging. “If you insist on being pregnant before we get married.”

“My goodness, of course not! You mean you actually want—”

“Oh, yeah,” he said softly. “I want.”

Midas pranced back into the living room, a dishcloth trailing from his mouth. Daisy stooped and caught him, and took the dishcloth away. “You don’t mind having children? Because I really do want at least a couple of kids, and you seemed horrified when I asked you if you had any.”

“I was horrified at the thought that I might have had any kids with my ex.”

“Oh. That’s good.”

But she didn’t give him a definite answer, just stood there looking preoccupied, and he began to get worried. He dropped his shirt to the floor and crossed the room to her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he pulled her against him and put his other hand on her throat, using his thumb to tilt her chin up. “I know I’m dirty and smelly,” he said, “but I’m not letting you go until I get the answer I want.”

“Not just an answer, but the answer you want, hmm?”

“You got it.”

“I have a question.”

“Ask it.”

“Do you love me?” She immediately blushed again. “I didn’t think you were my type at all, but it didn’t seem to matter. The more I was around you the more I wanted to be with you, and I’d love to marry you, but if you don’t feel the same way I feel, then I don’t think we should get married.”

“I love you,” he said clearly. “That’s as plain as I can make it. Now, will you marry me?”

She beamed at him, the million-watt smile he’d noticed the first time he’d ever spoken to her, when he’d gone to the library to sign up for the virtual library. That smile did more for him than blond hair and makeup ever could. “Yes, thank you.”

Then he had to kiss her, and when he stopped, he didn’t feel nearly as tired as he had when he’d arrived. He began dragging her toward the hall. “Forget about breakfast. Take a shower with me.”

“Midas—” she began, looking around for the little demon.

“We’ll take him with us.” Jack scooped him up and removed his shirt from the puppy’s mouth. “He needs a bath, too.”

“He does not, and besides, I don’t think I can do it with him in the tub with us, watching.”

“I’ll blindfold him.” He tugged her into the bathroom.

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