Page 54 of For the Love of Animals

“What’s wrong? Did you leave something behind?”

He gave his head a little shake. “Yes—my sanity. I left it in Lympstone when I drove all the way over here, hoping a beautiful woman would agree to eat dinner with me even though she knows little more than my name.”

“Sorry, what?”

He held up a bag. “I’ve brought takeout. Chinese and ice cream.”

“Huh?” My words weren’t working. “But why? I mean, why me?”

He closed the gap between us and rested his hands on my hips.

“Because you’ve got a good heart. That much is obvious from the way you look after Picky.”

Picky had brought Matt back to me? I owed my pony a huge bag of carrots. “I want him to be happy.”

“And I like a girl who takes chances then fights to win, the way you have with this house. It’s a huge project, but you haven’t given up, and the place has so much character.”

He liked the house? Which parallel universe had I travelled to? I’d only taken a few leftover codeine tablets, for goodness’ sake.

Matt tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, and I leaned into his touch without thinking about it. Wherever I’d ended up, I wanted to stay there when he leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead.

“Sarah, will you have dinner with me?”

Even if I was dreaming, there was only one answer I could give.

“Yes, I’ll have dinner with you.”

“Thank goodness for that.” His lips curved into a smile as he pulled back, eyes twinkling. “Sorry I scared you yesterday, but maybe fate had some crazy plan for us. Do you believe in fate?”

“I’m tempted.”

“Glad to hear it.” This time, his lips met mine. “Because I’ve never been so tempted by anyone in my life.”

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