CHAPTER FORTY
Piper checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before leaving her bedroom. She expected Liam to arrive any minute for another date.
Since they’d returned to Otter Creek four weeks earlier, Liam had ramped up his romance campaign. It wasn’t necessary. She loved him and wanted to spend the rest of her life showing him how much. Piper had met his mother and sister the previous weekend and had bonded with them instantly.
When she protested that he should be recovering, not coming up with a new date idea each night, Liam had insisted that he wanted to cram as many dates in as possible before he was deployed again.
The dates had been fun. Sometimes they stayed in to watch movies. Other times, he drove her to a nearby town for a unique dining experience. One Saturday when the weather had cooperated, Liam drove her to a walking trail in the Smoky Mountains and shared a picnic lunch he’d packed.
She smiled. Liam McCoy, world-class sniper, was a closet romantic. She couldn’t wait to see what he came up with for tonight. Although she’d begged him for a hint when he stopped by the shop to eat lunch with her, her stubborn future husband smiled and shook his head.
Her cell phone signaled an incoming call. She glanced at the screen. “How are you, Uncle Gino?”
“Holding my own for the moment. I’ve set a date for the first management team meeting and sent the information to the people you chose. The details are in your email.”
“I’ll look at it later tonight.”
“How is Liam? Still recovering?”
“He’s doing great. His rehab is right on schedule. If you didn’t know he’d been injured six weeks ago, you wouldn’t be able to tell. Frankly, I’m amazed at his quick recovery.”
“Excellent. I’d like to see you both again before he deploys.”
Her happiness dimmed. If Liam was sent on a long deployment, Gino could be gone by the time he returned. “I’ll talk to him and see what we can work out.”
“Good. I better go. I’m having dinner with friends tonight. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, my dear.”
“Love you, Uncle Gino.”
“I love you, too, Piper.”
A moment later, the doorbell rang. Piper hurried to the door, checked the peephole, and opened the door. She’d planned to greet him as she always did with a long, sizzling kiss until her gaze dropped to the gorgeous black and white dog sporting a red bandana tied around his neck, sitting beside Liam’s foot.
She smiled. “Who is this handsome fur baby?”
“His name is Radar. He’s a Texas Heeler.”
Piper’s brows knitted. “I’ve never heard of that breed.”
“Radar is part Australian Shepherd and part Blue Heeler. Is it all right to bring him inside?”
“Sorry. Of course it is. I was surprised to see you with a dog. Are you dog sitting for a friend?”
Liam closed the door behind himself and Radar. “As of two o’clock this afternoon, he’s mine. Well, he’s our dog.”
Piper sat on the couch and extended her hand to Radar and let him sniff. When he licked her fingers and nudged her hand with his head, she figured he’d decided she was a friend. “Where did you get him?”
“He’s a shelter dog. We’ve talked about getting a dog soon and I saw his picture on the shelter’s website. I went to see him after lunch and Radar bonded with me right off the bat. Texas Heelers are known as Velcro dogs. He’ll be our shadow and he’ll be great company for you when I’m deployed.”
Piper rubbed his soft black ears. Man, this was one sweet dog. She glanced up at Liam and caught the worry in his gaze. “He’s perfect, Liam. I love that he’s a rescue dog.”
He loosened his grip on Radar’s leash. “I know we were going to search for a pet together, but I just couldn’t leave him in that cage.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” She patted the cushion beside her and Radar leaped to the couch. He laid his head on her thigh and gave a great sigh.
Piper’s heart squeezed as she leaned down to cuddle with him. She got a series of licks on the jaw for her effort.
With a laugh, she eased back and noticed something tied to the bandana. “What do you have tied to your scarf, Radar?”
She glanced at Liam and was surprised to see him getting on one knee. “Liam?”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “I love you, Piper Reece. I never thought I would have you in my life. I know I don’t deserve you, but I’ll spend every day the rest of my life loving you.”
Liam untied the small velvet bag from Radar’s bandana. He pulled a diamond engagement ring from the pouch. “Will you marry me, Sunshine?”
Tears trickled down Piper’s cheeks. “I would be honored to be your wife, Liam McCoy. I love you.”
He slid the ring on her finger and leaned in to kiss her. A moment later, Radar licked both of them and tried to wriggle between them. Liam eased back with a chuckle. “We have to work on your timing, buddy.”
His response was an enthusiastic bark.
Piper laughed, joy exploding inside her. “Come on. Let’s take our fur baby for a walk. We have a wedding to plan.”
Life with Liam McCoy would be an adventure. Love, laughter, a family, and friends. Walking through life with this honorable man was a dream come true.