Page 67 of Quietly Falling
“Then move faster,” she teases as I pause with my hand on the doorknob.
“Dogs are gonna be excited to meet you,” I tell her as a final warning, thankful when a smile stretches across her pretty mouth as I open the door.
A flash of gold zips past us and out into the yard, the golden retriever running in circles before leaping back on the porch, her back end wagging, making it impossible to be stationary.
I love this damn dog.
“Oh my gosh, look atyou!” Ella coos at an octave that makes Birdie’s tail look like a cartoon it’s moving so fast, her tongue hanging out of her mouth as she leans into Ella’s leg. “Such a sweet girl, aren’t you? Yes, you are!”
Moose trots over and parks himself next to me, the senior rottweiler content to wait his turn to be fawned over. I give him a good scratch behind his ears, but I know it’ll pale in comparison to the love my girlfriend is doling out.
Girlfriend.
The sentiment is still new, but I can’t help the way a smile graces my lips at the thought. Sorren had stared pointedly at me when I mentioned Ella’s name this week—his version ofI told you so—but I’ll take it all and then some.
Because I never would have gotten out of my own way.
I needed them.
All of them.
Even if I fucking hated it in the moment.
“And who is this handsome boy?” Ella fusses as she crouches down next to the dog still sitting at my side.
“Moose.”
She giggles as he licks her cheek, her hands cupping his face as she peppers him with kisses all while his big brown eyes stare up at me.
I get it, man, she’s the best.
I’m just about to tell her that when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
ELLISON: I need your help with something
BODHI: Name it
ELLISON: I got a donkey
BODHI: I love it already
ELLISON: Right? I need you to pick it up and bring it to the farm later this weekend
BODHI: Just send me the details
ELLISON: You’re the best
ELLISON: And I can’t wait to OFFICIALLY meet your girl
BODHI: Not you too
ELLISON: What? I can be nice
I snortand Ella looks up at me with a confused smile. “What?”
“Montana’s wife needs me to pick up a donkey.”
She opens her mouth and then closes it before trying again. “Does that happen often?”
