Page 167 of Chasing Shelter

Quiet moments like these had always been our thing. She never pushed or pried; she simply let me know she was there.

As I crouched and put the pot back in its spot, I looked up at her. “Love you, Mom.”

Nora looked down at me, her face softening. “Love you, too. Love that you’ve found the happiness you’ve always deserved.”

I straightened and turned to face her, ready to give her everything. “Ellie made me truly see what has been around me all along. She made me believe I could accept it. That I could really be a Colson. Could be who you taught me to be.”

“Baby,” Nora said, lifting a hand to pat my cheek. “You’vealwaysbeen a Colson. You’re the best of what our family is. Loyal and caring. Giving and protective. You make our family better by being a part of it.”

Pressure pulsed behind my eyes as I pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for giving me a place to belong.”

“Thanks for letting me.” After a long moment, she pulled back, wiping at her eyes. “How dare you make me blubber when I made it all day without losing it.”

I chuckled. “I’m sorry.”

“You should be. Now, you put these last mugs away and then getin there and get that girl up to bed. She needs to rest on a soft mattress. I’m gonna get on.”

I kissed Nora’s cheek. “Text me when you make it home, please.”

“Always looking out for his people,” Nora said with a smile as she headed for the door.

I dried the two mugs we’d used for coffee as we cleaned, but when I opened the cabinet, I stilled. Then I scowled. There were no longer mugs in perfect, precise order in there, but a mix of bowls and plates with a note.

Chief,

Three guesses where I put the mugs. You’re welcome for keeping you on your toes.

xx Ellie

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. Opting to leave the mugs on the damn counter, I moved toward the living room. Ellie’s eyes fluttered as I entered. “Hi…”

She was a little loopy but so damn adorable. I sat on the edge of the couch and gently brushed the hair out of her eyes. “Want to tell me where you put the mugs?”

Ellie’s beautiful mouth curved. “Just try to get it out of me.”

My lips twitched. “Blaze?”

“Yeah?” she asked sleepily.

“I want you messing with my cabinets every day.”

A look of confusion swept over Ellie’s face. “Okay?”

“Move in. Move in with me and Keels now and then into the farmhouse when it’s done. You can help me finalize the plans with Shep. We can make it something that’s truly ours.”

Ellie blinked up at me, her eyes turning glassy. “This is a big step. Keely?—”

“Loves you,” I said, cutting her off. “Nothing would make her happier than having you with us all the time. But if it’s too soon?—”

It was Ellie’s turn to cut me off. She pushed up and kissed me,stealing any additional words from my lips. When she pulled back, mischief danced in her eyes. “Can I have a goat friend for Bumper?”

I laughed. “You can have a whole damn goat sanctuary if you want.”

Ellie’s mouth hovered over mine. “I’m reminding you of this moment when I bring home a whole herd.”

EPILOGUE

ELLIE

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