Page 74 of Inherited Light
“As far as I’m concerned it does, but it’s up to you. She’s your dog. Foster hopes you’ll take the three-month course he’s going to offer with another shelter for service dog training. She won’t learn everything in those three months, but she’ll get a good start on how to behave, how to help you around the house and when we’re out. She’s already quick to pick up commands. I think she’ll be the perfect service dog for you.”
She had her hand on her chest again as the dog laid down on her belly. “I would love to. Would you love to go too, Mabel?” she asked the pup.
The little girl sat up and barked once, making us both laugh. Cat stopped laughing when she noticed Mabel’s collar for the first time. She lifted her chin and gasped, looking at me and then back to the dog. “Is that supposed to be there?” she asked slowly.
“You mean the diamond ring?” I asked and she nodded.
“No, it’s not supposed to be there,” I said, grasping the ribbon so the ring fell into my hand. Mabel lay down on the side of the bed, her head resting on Cat’s chest. “It’s supposed to be on your finger.”
Her hand shook as she held it over her mouth. “Ren?” she asked, her voice disbelieving.
I picked up her left hand and held it in mine. “There comes a point in every man’s life when he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt the woman he loves is the one he’s meant to be with. For me it was the day you wheeled toward me at the shelter. My life finally had purpose. Your eyes showed me the future I’d been searching for. The first time I made love to you, our souls connected in a way no outside force could ever change. When I couldn’t find you, but could feel your pain as if it were my own, I’ve never been as afraid of losing someone as I was then. It wasn’t only your fear I felt, but my own. Fear I might lose you forever. I told my heart once you were safe, the waiting was over. Cat, I want you in my life, by my side, holding my hand, and loving me for the rest of our lives. I’ve given you a lot of material things the last two weeks, but you have given me three gifts greater than anything I could ever buy you – your trust, your body, and your heart. Say you’ll be my wife, Cat. You’re all I’ll ever need, now and forever.”
She swiped a tear from her face, but the smile she wore told me my wish was about to come true.
“Yes, Ren. I want to be your wife,” she whispered. I slipped the ring on her finger and the last bit of fear drained from my shoulders.
She drew my face to hers and when our lips touched, the light in her eyes told me I had finally found my way home.
