Page 68 of All of Me

He smirked. “Well, the whole lot is yours. We live in the house—not that I think you’d ever take it from us—while we breathe, and you get the rest.”

I gaped at Albert. Their land combined was worth nearly fifty-five million bucks to a developer.

“You’re the son I never had,” Albert carried on. “You both are. I’ve never seen Moira as happy, and that’s because of you two,and the little one. And it’s wrapped up legally, so don’t bother with it no more.”

“I don’t know what to say.” And I didn’t.

Albert turned to me. “Tell me what your first reaction was when I said that.”

I grinned because that was easy. “Seeing Shae’s face when he knows we have the money to build more bedrooms,” I said honestly. “Because you don’t think this social worker’s gonna stop at two, do you?”

He chuckled again. “Not any time soon. And I reckon all kids need a gran and a pops to show them how to sit on a donkey and look after a bushel of puppies.” He looked smug, but I saw the loving look he sent his wife, who was bustling about with the food.

I was barely able to swallow. The court cases for my dad might take years, but I didn’t care. I had my dream life. My dream husband, and my dream kids, even though I never knew I needed them.

And a donkey.

Because that was important.

Rawlings wandered over to us and I reckoned it was time. “You’ve got my back, soldier?”

He smirked. “Of course, sergeant. I can even get you up off your knee.”

I grunted because one of these days I was gonna annihilate Rawlings in hand to hand which was a long time coming, except at the moment he was probably right. I could get down on one knee but I might need help getting up. I met Paula’s eyes who was my partner-in-crime and she clapped and silenced everyone. Even Dolly stayed still.

I turned to Shae who was eight feet away and held out my arm. Lips parted in surprise he rushed to me, but before that I’d actually gotten down on one knee. I wasn’t sure whetherthe general gasp from the audience was in anticipation or admiration that at my age I could still get down there.

“Baby,” I said and took his arm, digging out a box from my pocket and suddenly doubting my choices. “I found a ring when I was cleaning the end room and I knew it was Ellie’s.” I could feel my face heat. “I know you’re not a woman.” I ignored the quiet laughter. “But I thought we could get the diamonds put on a band or something.” Now I felt ridiculous. What had I been thinking?

But suddenly Shae was on his knees in front of me and I said. “Fuck, I just want you to marry me.”

“Fuck!” Tammy repeated gleefully and everyone groaned.

Shae grinned and before everyone he put his arms around me and kissed me thoroughly.

“Is that a yes?” I asked.

His eyes twinkled. “Was there an actual question in there?”

I growled. Fuck those books. I could make that noise as well.

But the best thing was when my boyfriend pulled me to my feet so fast no one noticed a struggle. I decided to let him kiss me after that as much as he wanted.

Shae

Long after the party ended, when we’d finally gotten Tammy to sleep, settled the puppies down, and said goodbye to Jay and his team, we heard a scratching at Tammy’s door. I kissed Drake and got up from the sofa because I assumed that meant Maxie had decided he wanted to go out again, even if he’d just been. I walked to Tammy’s door and the second I opened it Maxie shot out and scampered through the kitchen to the front door and plopped his ass down, whining.

“What’s up, buddy?” Drake said, standing from the sofa and getting to the door at the same time I did. Drake stiffened a second when Maxie let out a single bark that he almost neverdid. In another moment, my Marine was shoving me behind his body and grabbing his gun before he opened the door.

I knew better than to object, even though I could racethroughthe door and check things out before he took a full breath. But Drake needed to protect me. It was in his DNA in exactly the same way my abilities were part of mine.

Drake made a sound of disbelief, then bent down. When he turned around, I choked out a laugh because he was holding a dog. “Baby,” I crooned, and held my arms out for the chubby bundle.

“I reckon she has some years on her,” Drake said after watching her practically inhale some food. I nodded, crouching down and taking in the black fur that was now gray on her nose and face. She’d limped a little as well.

“She doesn’t look like she’s been homeless a long time,” Drake said, and I agreed. “Maybe she ran away?”

I snorted, doubting with her belly she could run anywhere. God knew if she was just well-fed or expecting puppies. She didn’t have a collar on, though. “We can see if she’s microchipped tomorrow.”

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