Page 39 of Falling Inn Love
When we pull up the drive, Evan says, “The dogs are probably ready to go out again. Want to come over and help me with them?”
“Yeah,” I say. We park and walk across the grounds to his cottage.
He opens the front door to a surprisingly large space. It has wooden floors throughout and a small but bright kitchen with white cabinets and black granite countertops. There’s a big leather sectional sofa and an enormous TV mounted on the wall in the living room. It’s simple but nice.
I follow him over to the dining area where he keeps the kennel and hear the dogs whimpering.
“Hey, guys,” I say as we reach in and each grab a pup. We bring them out to his small back deck and let them do their business.
“They’re so cute,” I say, watching them. We settle into a pair of Adirondack chairs. I think about what life could be like here if I could be with him. Would we have kids? Would they have his dark hair and green eyes? Would they have his dimple when they smile? I shake these thoughts out of my head.
“Are you keeping the names Kase picked?”
“Are you going to tell him no?” He chuckles. “That kid loves these dogs.”
“Are you always this great?” I ask him.
“What do you mean?” He crinkles his brow.
“Who does all these things, saving puppies and people like you do? Surely you have some bad tendencies. So come on, out with it. What are they?”
“I’m pretty perfect,” he says coyly as he gathers me into his arms. He holds me snugly.
I lay my head on his chest and lean into him, pretending that this could be how it would always be.
“Allie will tell you all of my faults when you meet her,” he deadpans.
“Well, that’s what sisters are for, right?” I say into his chest. “You give really good hugs.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” he whispers into my hair.
“So what are the next steps? With Allie and Caleb?”
“I’m waiting to hear when they want me to do the transplant, but I’m hoping soon.” I think about Allie and Caleb, alone in California. “She’s struggling. She wants to move back here, but now she has to wait to get Caleb in a good place with his health before she can afford to give up the health benefits from her job.”
“That has to be so stressful being out there alone with him.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m relieved my mom is out there for now. And hey, do you think you can keep an extra eye on things when I’m out west?” He looks worried.
“Of course. I will do anything you need me to do,” I say softly, leaning into him.
“Want to help me do my nightly check over, then sit with me by the fire pit?”
“That’s a great idea. Show me what to do so that when you’re in San Diego, I can take care of things.” We pick up the puppies and put them inside.
After we walk the perimeter, checking windows and doors, we pour water on all the firepits that are still smoking. When Evan deems everything satisfactory, he walks me back to my room.
“What are we doing?” I ask.
“Get your stuff. You can stay with me in my cottage tonight if you want.”
My pulse quickens, and logically I want to say no, but I can’t even form the words. I want to spend as much time with him as I can. I want to know everything about him, but I’m scared that I’m getting in too deep. A night with him and I might get in deeper. I don’t want to leave him; I love being with him.
He must sense my worry because he says, “I have two bedrooms. Plenty of room. Come on, you know you don’t want to walk all the way back here tonight.”
Against my better judgment, I say, “Okay.”
He’s not wrong. We’re pretty much inseparable now and I don’t really want to not be near him. He’s wearing down these sixty days quick. And judging by his satisfactory smile, he knows it.
