Page 14 of Rescued By the Major

I’m rewarded with another laugh and that last little bit of worry in my chest slips away.

“Speaking of Max and Livvy,” she says as I lead her over to the couch and pull her down beside me. “They offered me a job. Working in Livvy's clinic and helping her run the animal shelter. They’re training service animals for veterans, now, and need more help managing everything.”

I nod and wait, feeling sure there’s more she wants to tell me.

“I'm going to accept their offer… starting in the New Year.”

Silence stretches between us. She shoots a hopeful glance at me, before looking down to where her fingers are twisted together in her lap. I take hold of her hands and wrap mine around them.

“I think that sounds like an amazing opportunity for you. It’s a job you’ll be amazing at. I have no doubt about that.”

Eva nods, but there’s a sadness in her eyes I don't like. I tell her what I need her to understand most. “I love you, Gracie. If this is what you want to do, I will support it any way I can. Even come with you, if that’s what you want.”

The smile that curves across her lips as I say that fills me with joy. “Are you sure?” she asks, her voice hesitant.

“If you want me there, I’ll be there.” I kiss her quickly, a fleeting peek at what I plan to do more of later. “Having you here made me see I was hiding from the world. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

“I don't want that, either. You’re amazing, Anders. People need the chance to know you.” She snuggles in closer to me, and I scoop her up, draping her over my lap so I can kiss her easier.

“Promise me one thing,” I whisper, and she smiles wider, waiting for me to continue. “That we’ll still come up here every once in a while. To remember how we met.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, and leans in, her lips hovering over mine. “I promise.”

We seal that with a kiss.

EPILOGUE

EVA

Six months later

Livvy looksover at me with a wink. “How are things in the house? Feeling settled finally?”

I think back to last night and exactly how Anders and I celebrated the new bed that had been delivered. He had me screaming his name in pleasure more than once.

“It feels like home.” I have to blink a few times at the sudden tingle of tears as the truth of that washes over me. Because this placefeelslike home. The small town we live in, the people we work with, and of course, having Livvy and Max so close by.

We all do whatever it takes to help each other out. We take care of our own here.

I don’t have to explain that to Livvy. She understands me like the best friend she is. We’ve both lost a lot in our lives, but we’ve also gained so much.

“Good, I'm glad.” She grins and looks over her shoulder as she heads toward the office door. “Still on for dinner tonight?”

I nod. “Looking forward to it.”

She waves and steps out into the hall. I return my attention to the calendar of events I’m trying to plan, but the door opening again, makes me shake my head.

“Forget something?” I ask, expecting it to be Livvy.

“I could never forget you, sweetheart,” says the voice that still makes my stomach clench with excitement. “In fact, I’m here to take you to lunch.”

“Lunch? But we're having dinner with Livvy and Max tonight.”

“We are. But I need you all to myself for a bit first.”

I save the changes I’ve made and push back my chair. “Let me grab my purse and we'll go. But I can't be gone long. I’ve got to finish this planning for Livvy.”

“Whatever you want,” he says, hands in his pockets as he waits for me. The man is every bit as muscled now as he was living up on the mountain, and it’s still all hard earned. The man is always moving, working, building something we need. And I benefit every time he takes his clothes off.

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