Page 46 of Rescued Love

Could we make this work? What would that even look like? I know I won’t be moving, and I would never ask him to give up the life he’s built for himself. But, still, is there a way?

“I don’t know what it might mean or how to tell you to go about getting what you both clearly want, but what’s the other option? Walking away?”

“Hell no,” I bite out the words.

My best friend laughs. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“I’m just going to see how it goes for now. It’s not like we’ve spent a lot of time together. I’m not even sure when I’ll be seeing him again,” I admit, sadness coating the words.

“You’re buying the first round of drinks the next time at The Goose if Nathan is there at your place again when you get home tonight,” she challenges me.

I perk up, “You think he’ll be there?”

“I don’t doubt it,” her voice softens when she hears the vulnerable hope in mine.

“I guess we’ll see then,” I try and deflect and lock down any expectations about Nathan and his time.

I haven’t heard from him yet today, but that doesn’t mean much. The animals need to be taken care of and that comes first. It’s clear how serious he is about helping Mr. Jacobson out.

“Gotta go,” Hailey chirps, “my students will be back any minute.”

We say goodbye to each other, making plans to meet up again this weekend, and I’m left wondering if Nathan will be at my place when I get home. I hope he is. I want to see him.

The thought of heading home to someone has been a wish I’ve ignored for a long time, but it’s like I can’t try and deny it anymore. Not after getting a taste of what it could be like.

It’s not easy to concentrate the rest of the day and I find that I’m leaving the rescue later than I normally would because a family came in and was having a hard time choosing between two dogs. My heart felt full because it was clear to me that both dogs chose the family. It was going to be hard if only one got adopted, but the family saw and recognized the same thing I did and adopted both animals.

The way the kids fawned over the dogs who were so damn happy it looked like they were smiling. It was the perfect way to end the day.

When I look up from fishing my keys out of my purse, I find Nathan leaning against my door with his hands stuffed into his pockets and a smile on his face.

“You’re here,” I breathe out.

He opens his arms for me, and I walk right into them. My soul settles, the happiness from two dogs finding their forever homes magnifying in the comfort of this man’s arms.

He’s mine.

CHAPTER 14

KIMBALL

Have you ever felt like you’re floating through life, and not in a bad way? That’s what the last few days have felt like. It’s been a dream, one I hope I never wake up from, knowing it will happen. Eventually.

I’ve done a pretty good job of pushing that reality away. The only time I let it seep into my consciousness is when I’m alone. I certainly don’t want to waste any of the time I have with Nathan by dreading what comes next.

He hasn’t mentioned leaving. I haven’t brought it up.

It’s like a silent war we’re waging.

I know he sometimes thinks about it. He’ll get this contemplative look on his face as he stares at me, tilting his head like he’s working through all the problems of the universe. It’s kind of adorable in spite of it making my heart ache.

Even though I desperately want to know what he’s thinking about, I haven’t plucked up the courage to ask him.

What if he’s thinking about whatever is waiting for him when he goes home? He’s shared with me that the only thing filling his life there was his job, but I also know it matters to him. It should; he worked hard to get to where he is.

I tighten my grip around Nathan’s waist as he holds the door open to The Goose and we head inside. I can feel eyes on us, and I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. I’ve already heard the murmurs around town. It hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice that the newest arrival to Sweetwater Valley and I have been spending time together.

I’ve even had a few people stop in at the rescue, trying to get the inside scoop. Joke’s on them though because I was able to sweet talk more than one of them into adopting one of our animals. It’s fair to say there are a few more people on their way to being obsessed cat ladies and I’m here for it.