Page 68 of Finding Noah
Noah caught the leash.
The one man jogged up. “I’m so sorry about that. She caught me off-guard. She’s strong and stubborn.”
“No worries.” Noah handed over the leash. “I’m Noah, and this is my partner, Christian.”
Partner.I loved it.
I was so wrapped up in that thought, that I missed the rest of the introductions.
Stormy was tugging at the leash.
“You’re a dog trainer?” The taller man grinned. “I think we might just hire you.”
And just like that, all was right in the world.
Epilogue
Noah
The sun shone brightly on our wedding day.
Quite fitting we were marrying in the pasture of our property. Our home.
Dillon had volunteered to bring Miss Esmeralda, and she surveyed her former land with clear appreciation. We’d shown her pictures of the changes we made, and she would always grin. She’d decided to give the property before she passed—so she wasn’t making us wait to do what we wanted. We still paid her a monthly sum to help offset her expenses, although she still had quite a pile of money in the bank. Or so she’d shared with us. Mr. Sampson believed in complete honesty. He was a good man.
She was an even better woman.
Christian had found the courage to bring the photo of Miss Esmeralda and herbest friend, Lucinda.
Miss Esmeralda had teared up, then told us about the woman she’d loved more than life herself and how they’d beenroommatesuntil Lucinda died in 1988. Miss Esmeralda had been alone all this time, clinging to the belief she would one day join her true love.
That’s devotion.
The same as I have for Christian.
He and I held hands as we walked down the sort of makeshift aisle. We’d invited all my clients—numbering well over a hundred, as I’d been busy in the last eight months. Many had declined, but a good number were here today.
Malcolm, who was standing up for Christian, stood tall next to the celebrant—with a shit-eating grin on his face.
Soren was standing up for me, and he was grinning pretty hard as well.
No one from back home was here. Christian had sent a cable to his parents, letting them know.
Turned out, about six months ago, Laura had returned with her husband—pregnant with twins and desperately wanting her mother. The Frankstons, desirous of avoiding a scandal again, gifted twenty percent of the factory back to Christian’s parents. The split was sixty/forty. Which meant that no matter how irresponsible his parents might be in their personal lives, the factory would be protected. They’d made it clear they weren’t interested in acknowledging a gay son and would be just fine if he stayed in Foggy Basin and never returned home.
My mother had sent the silver set she’d inherited from her grandmother—more sentimentality than I expected. That gift marginally changed my opinion of her. Right until she said she couldn’t make the wedding because her new husband was taking her to Tallahassee.
Put her out of your mind.
I claimed to Christian that didn’t care. He didn’t appear convinced, but he’d have to trust me on that.
He handed Stormy’s leash to Malcolm while I handed Sable’s and River’s to Soren. His Tibby was being cared for by Janelle. Her Roxy was in training to be a therapy dog and showed great potential.
Christian took my hands and gazed into my eyes.
The service passed in a blur.
As we kissed, River barked excitedly—something he always did. A touch annoying at certain critical moments—but absolutely adorable today.
