Reaching into the bed of my truck, I grab the last box Olivia just shoved my way. “This is it,” I tell her, even though she already knows.
“I can’t believe we got my entire house packed up and moved in two days.”
“Well, you’re donating most of your furniture,” I remind her.
“I know but still… you’re one determined man, David Harris.”
“You’re damn right,” I agree with her. She gave me the green light I’ve been waiting for.
“Let me get this in the house, and then we can go back and do one final walk-through. Make sure there’s nothing you missed or decide you want to keep.”
“Not a bad idea, although I’m pretty positive we got everything.”
“The Salvation Army is coming by tomorrow to pick up what’s left.”
“They are?”
“That’s what you wanted, right?” That’s what she said, but it’s a possibility she’s changed her mind.
“Yes, that’s what I wanted. I just didn’t realize that you called them already.”
“I did it this morning. After the progress we made yesterday, I knew we would be finished today.”
“Two days.” She laughs. “You are one determined man.”
Leaving the box on the open tailgate, I reach up and place my hands on her hips, lifting her from the back of the truck. Instead of letting me set her feet on the ground, she wraps her legs around my waist. “You, my love, were just as focused as I was.”
“Mmm-hmm,” she murmurs, kissing my neck.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her to marry me; it’s something I would have done a week ago. Now, everything is different. I know she’s ready, and no way am I willing to risk her thinking me saying the words is her true proposal. My girl deserves the fairy-tale proposal she’s always wanted.
What she doesn’t realize is that I know her better than she thinks I do. I’ve known for years that she wants the fairy tale. The romantic proposal and the country wedding. I think her fears stem from worrying that her dream proposal and wedding would not live up to her reality and she’d be disappointed. My girl loves her Disney movies. She thinks it’s because of the job at the bar, but I know better. She’s worried she’s not going to get her dream. I’m just a small-town boy. I work on the ranch with both Aaron and Evan. When they teamed up, they brought me on board. I work hard for what I have, and that includes Olivia. I’ll never stop showing her what she means to me and will make certain she gets her dream proposal and wedding. Besides, all I’ve ever dreamed of is her. She’s given me my dream; the least I can do is give her hers.
“You’re my dream,” I tell her.
Her eyes shimmer with tears. “I love you.” She buries her face in my neck, and I hold her tightly.
The honking of a horn has us pulling apart. When I look over my shoulder, I see Mike and Jamie pull into the drive.
“Hey, you two. Need some help?” Jamie asks.
“This is the last one,” Liv tells her as I set her back on her feet.
“You packed up your entire house in two days?” Mike asks.
“Well, technically it was three days if you count what we did on Sunday.”
“Determined,” Jamie laughs.
“You’re damn right,” I agree.
I hear a woof and notice Mike is holding their puppy, the one I went with him to pick up. “Hey, little guy,” I say, rubbing his head.
“Oh my God! He’s so cute. The picture you showed me doesn’t do him justice. What did you name him?” Liv asks Jamie.
“Ace.”
“Aww, Dave, we need a puppy,” she says, cooing at the little furball in her brother’s arms. “Can I hold him?” Mike hands him over. The puppy settles in her arms, closing his eyes.
“He likes to snuggle,” Jamie tells her.
She looks over at me and smiles. “He’s too cute.”
“You really want one?”
She seems to think about my question before her eyes meet mine. “We talked about a dog for the kids to play with,” she says, as if it’s just the two of us.
“Kids?” Mike and Jamie ask at the same time.
“Not yet.” She shakes her head and laughs. “We’re getting there.”
I want to drop to my knees and beg her to be mine. I can run in the house and get the ring and make it official. Then we can start on those babies. But I don’t. I need it to be her dream proposal, then wedding, and then the babies. However, the dog… we can make that happen now. “We did,” I say, agreeing with her earlier statement. “We can get a dog.”
“Where did you get him?” she asks Mike.
He points to me. “This guy found him for me. They have more.” He smiles.
“Now?”
“Yes, now.” Her eyes are bright with excitement.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I scroll through my contacts until I find the number for the lady Mike bought Ace from. “Hey, Susan, this is David Harris. I was wondering if you have any puppies left?” Liv’s eyes find mine as she waits for a signal from me. “Great, can we stop by in about thirty minutes or so? My future wife fell in love with the one her brother bought.” Liv’s eyes widen when I say ‘future wife.’ It’s the first time I’ve mentioned it since she told me she was ready. “Great. We’ll see you soon.” I end the call and slide my phone back in my pocket.
“Well?” she asks.
“She has three left. One male and two females. I’m sure you heard me tell her that we would see her tonight?”
She turns to her brother and Jamie. “Sorry, but we’ve gotta go.” She hands the puppy off to Jamie and grabs my hand, pulling me toward the truck, causing us all to burst out laughing.
“Let me get this last box in the house, and then we can go.”
“Fine,” she says, reaching for the passenger door. “Hurry up.” She climbs into the cab and shuts the door.
“You’ve got your hands full with her.” Mike laughs.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
We say a quick goodbye before I grab the last box and carry it to the attached garage. I set it with the others, and my lips tilt with a smile. She’s here. All of her stuff is here. Now I need to focus on the proposal. I want her with my last name sooner rather than later. We’ve waited long enough to start the next phase of our lives together.