Page 65 of Sensual Nights

"Oh, that's so sweet." Before they tapped their glasses together, she said, "Here's to your first day of work, Dr. Thompson."

He chuckled and they tapped their glasses and took a sip of their champagne. He kissed her lips, softly at first, then deeper. He'd have been happy to continue, but there were other things to shower her with.

He stepped back and took her hand. "Follow me."

She giggled. "I've been so excited all day."

He chuckled. "Me too."

He led her to the sofa. "Take a seat, please."

"Okay."

She settled into the sofa, still moving stiffly so as not to cause pain. She sat and stared up into his eyes, a huge smile on her face. He stared a moment. "I always want you as happy as you are right now."

"I want you happy too."

He grinned. "Stay right where you are. I'll be right back."

He exited the living room and stepped into the first bedroom to the right of the hallway. He opened the kennel door and a little fur ball bounded out of her kennel and out the door. Luckily, she turned in the right direction and Mason followed her as quickly as he could.

Carley stared at him a smile still on her face, not seeing the little bundle on the floor. He pointed down and her mouth fell open.

"A puppy!"

Mason grinned. "She's a purebred German Shepherd."

"Ohh...Mason." She slid from the sofa to the floor and the little ball of fur ran to her and climbed in her lap. Mason kneltdown in front of them, laughing as Carley laughed. The puppy jumped and licked at Carley's face, her hands, and her legs. She climbed in her lap and tried climbing up her torso. She was a bundle of energy. He hoped this wasn't a mistake.

"Oh, Mason this is fantastic. I'd thought about it, but...I had no idea you'd gotten one."

"Well, I have a friend who is a breeder. He brought her down today."

"Oh, my God. She's simply adorable."

Mason laughed. "She sure is."

Carley scratched the puppy's back and tried getting her to settle long enough to really look at her. Mason's stomach was a ball of knots as he waited for the perfect moment to finish his surprise.

Finally, the pup settled slightly, and Carley looked at the tag on her red collar. "Read it out loud," he said.

She started reading it. "Will you marry..." Her breath caught and her eyes darted to his. He was on bended knee as he stared at her. "Will you marry us?"

She swallowed and tears flowed instantly down her cheeks. "Mason..."

He held a ring in his hand and swallowed. "Will you marry me, Carley Page?"

"Yes." She sniffed. "Yes, I'll marry you. Absolutely, I'll marry you!"

EPILOGUE - CARLEY

Carley woke and smiled. Today she'd marry her man. She texted as she smiled. "

Good morning. It's the most exciting day today."

She got out of bed, opened Heidi's kennel, and followed her down the hall to the back door.

Heidi did her business as Carley poured herself a cup of coffee and then poured fresh food into Heidi's bowl. She opened the back door to let Heidi in and scratched her behind her ears. "You're such a good girl."

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