Page 113 of Devoted Enough

“I’m going to marry you someday, Haven Larson. And I promise to love you with my entire heart, forever. Merry Christmas.”

Chapter Twenty-One

HAVEN

“Haven, we’re going to be late!” Nate called.

I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror and exhaled. “This is it. This is the moment.”

“Haven? We’re going to be late,” Nate said as he walked into the bathroom. “What’s wrong?”

My eyes met his in the mirror. “What if no one shows up?”

He laughed. “What are you talking about? You’ve already sold how many memberships?”

“A lot.”

“Yes, a lot. People are going to be there. Besides, it’s open for all the public today, so that means even more people will be there to see what it’s all about.”

Turning, I nodded my head. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’m just nervous.”

He took my hands in his. “I would be worried if you weren’t nervous.”

I forced myself to smile. “It feels like it’s taken forever to get here, and at the same time, it feels like the last seven months have flown by.”

Nate returned my smile. “A lot has happened, hasn’t it? Rose had Milly. Mackenzie had Tyson, and Lily is pregnant again and due in a few weeks.”

“Josh and Sophia are getting married in a few months. My mother and Doug got engaged,” I said with a slight laugh. “Lots of things have happened. I’m so happy Doug could get this done as quickly as he did with the winter we had.”

“Told you he was the best.”

I placed my hand on his chest. “Yes, you did.”

“We really should get going if we want to be there before everyone starts showing up. Josh texted and said they were there.”

Nodding, I drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “You’re right, let’s go.”

Nate took my hand as we walked through the house and to the garage. My nerves settled a bit once I was in the truck, but I was still worried. The drive into town was quiet except for the radio that played softly in the background.

When Nate turned the corner and I saw the dog park come into view, I couldn’t help but smile. There were a number of cars in the parking lot, but I could tell who most of them belonged to.

“Your parents are here?” I asked.

“Of course they are. Everyone is here for the big day.”

Over the last seven months, Nate’s family had quickly become my family. With each dinner and game night, I felt more and more like I was part of something beautiful. Never once did I feel anything other than love coming from everyone. Being part of a family that truly loved and cared for each other was such a beautiful feeling. And now, my mother was experiencing that with Doug.

Nate parked next to Josh’s truck, and I turned to look at him. “Ready?”

“So ready!”

“Then let’s do this!”

As I walked toward the main building, I felt my heart racing. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen it, of course, but now that itwas finished, it was more than I could have ever expected. The sidewalk led you up to a gate that all visitors walked through. The main building, which housed the main office, the bar, and the snack bar for dogs was the first thing you encountered when you walked in. There was also a self-serve machine to buy a day pass or a membership. Once you purchased it, you got a code that unlocked the gates for both the small andlarge dog parks.

Sophia was behind the counter, along with Lenny, the bartender we had hired. To purchase drinks, you had to show your ID and get a bracelet that allowed you to do so. There was also a strict limit on how many drinks you could purchase. Outside the park in the parking lot was a food trailer that would be here Thursday through Sunday,and a groomer who would be at the park every Friday and Saturday. They were both here for opening weekend.

“How is it going so far?” I asked as I stepped up to the counter.

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