Page 78 of The Spotted Cottage By the Sea
“I do, but…” She hesitated before putting her hand in his. “Russell, what is this?”
The last notes of the song rang out and silence fell between them.
He tucked the microphone into his pocket. “I needed to make up for something.”
“For skipping singing lessons?”
He smiled and took her other hand. “No, but thanks for that.”
His hands were so warm. “You’re welcome.”
“I’m used to people writing my lines for me, you know? I’m not used to having to interpret and express my feelings all on my own. I’m a simple man.”
It was hard not to smile, but the least she could do was not laugh at him. “Yes, you’ve told me this.”
“That’s why I needed the song.” He pulled her closer, gently placing her hands on his chest. “There’s no excuse for what I did, for lashing out at you. For accusing you of lying and…” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ran away like a coward.”
“You’re not a coward,” she said softly.
He grinned. “Even Wolf 302 managed to turn his life around.”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed out loud. “Wolf who?”
“302! He was Wolf 21’s nephew. They called him the Casanova. He used to run from danger, nap during fights. He failed – miserably. But he changed. He found the courage to change.”
Sheila bit her lip. She didn’t know why, but these wolves were getting to her. Tears flooded her eyes. “I didn’t know you owned the park. I really didn’t, Russell.”
“I know.” He nodded. “Patty set my head straight.”
Her mouth popped open. “No. She didn’t!”
“She held me hostage in my own home,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I had to be very brave to get out of there alive.”
She looked up at him and his dazzling blue eyes, the stars emerging behind him like a scene from a movie, and her heart felt like it would swell too large for her ribcage. “I’m glad you found it in you to survive.”
Russell smiled. “I was wondering. Do you think you could find it in you to give me another shot?”
“A sequel?” She scrunched her nose, pretending to think for a moment. “I don’t normally like sequels but…I think, for you, I could go for it.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
He leaned down and she closed her eyes, their breath mingling just as his gentle lips settled on hers.
Cheers erupted behind them, and Sheila spun around to see Eliza and Patty standing there.
“Have you two been there the whole time?”
Patty threw her head back and cackled. “I wish! We only caught the end. Can you do it again?”
Sheila turned back to Russell and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“Take two!” Eliza clapped her hands. “Action!”
Sheila buried her head in his chest. “Are you sure about this?”
He leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead. “More sure than I’ve been about anything in my life.”
The crowd cheered again as he swooped her down for a movie-worthy kiss.
