Page 108 of Married With Malice

I’m still confused.

The name of Sadie’s best friend pops up frequently around here and I knew she was a veterinarian but this doesn’t explain why I’m a person of interest to her.

“Gus decided you are a kindred spirit,” Sadie explains. “Ever since I showed her your wedding photos.”

Oh. I think I get it now.

Gus believes my gothic wedding attire was chosen unironically.

Sadie, who clearly guesses the truth and didn’t have the heart to enlighten her best friend, struggles to keep a straight face as Gus raves about my bridal look. I just hope Gus isn’t too disappointed to find me clad in ordinary jeans and a chunky cardigan.

Anyone who stops by Peggy’s kitchen is required to ingest some food. The Halloween-centric veterinarian of Sleepy Rock is no exception.

Once Gus is fortified with slices of jam-slathered crusty bread and a cup of peppermint green tea, she invites me for a walk around the ranch while she conducts her rounds. Sadie tries to join us but Peggy objects and orders her to rest and put her feet up.

“I am a little tired.” Sadie stifles a yawn and rubs a loving hand over her belly, which appears to have grown even bigger in the last couple of days. “You two go ahead.”

Peggy opts to take the sweater blanket she’d previously pushed on Luca and wrap it around my shoulders before I’m allowed to leave.

“Thank you,” I say to Peggy without a shred of sarcasm. I really enjoy this feeling of being surrounded by people who care enough to make sure I’m comfortable.

Sadie looks up from her chair and smiles while scratching the ears of a loudly purring grey cat.

Gus switches to professional mode once it’s time to care for the residents of the ranch. She drafts me into the role of her assistant as we move from one area to the next. We run into Cale and Luca in the barn, where they are chatting with a couple of the ranch volunteers.

Luca doesn’t miss a beat when Gus congratulates him for possessing the wisdom to marry me. He moves to my side and slips his arm around my waist.

“I’m just lucky she said yes,” he says, conveniently leaving out a few key points that Gus is obviously unaware of.

“We’re both lucky.” I lean into him and squeeze his waist. “There was never any other choice we could have made. We simplyhadto marry each other.”

“Awww, baby,” Luca gushes and plants a kiss on my cheek.

Gus, mesmerized by the romance of it all, puts a hand on her heart.

Meanwhile, Cale obviously understands the joke and coughs to cover his chuckle.

I’d love to hang out and cuddle my husband all day but Gus needs help examining a pregnant horse.

“I’ll pick you up at six.” Luca winks as we part with reluctance. “Be ready.”

“The two of you aregoals,” Gus informs me as we walk to the stall containing her four-legged patient.

I can’t disagree.

By the time my veterinary assistant duties conclude for the day, I’ve been peed on by a nervous puppy and my clothes are covered in pet hair. I had a lot of fun but a shower is needed before I’m fit to be seen in public.

Nervous anticipation sends my heart pumping as I get ready to go out with Luca. There’s more excited first date energy than I’ve ever felt before.

Over-packing for the trip was a good choice but now I have too many options. I change my clothes three times before settling on a black pencil skirt, my nicest pair of heeled boots and a warm grey sweater that fits snugly enough to showcase my boobs. My makeup stays minimal and my hair swings loose. The final touches are my wedding ring and the bracelet Luca gave me.

Two minutes before six, there’s a knock on the door. Luca waits on the other side and he looks so insanely excellent that I need to conjure some serious willpower lest I tackle him, drag him over to the bed and mount him with abandon.

He’s now clean shaven and he wears a navy blue button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show off his impressive forearms. His shirt is tucked in, his dark jeans hug his hips and my eyes can’t avoid darting down briefly to skim over the bulge under his belt.

“You’re beautiful, Annalisa,” he says, holding my gaze with a level of intense heat that threatens to erase my self-control.

Rather than capitalize on my weak-kneed moment, Luca’s hand comes from behind his back. He’s holding a cluster of dark pink roses.

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