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“I know.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ve got a surprise for my wife, and I can’t wait to show you.”
She squeals and jumps in place, clapping her hands together as she follows me toward the chute. “Is it chocolate? I’ve been craving chocolate all day.”
“No, but we can get you some chocolate later.” I open the chute and guide her back behind the ring where a custom van is waiting. “I had James help me with this at his place. It’s old but it’ll get us by until we can get somethin’ more. I want you to have your dreams, little Dolly. All of ‘em.”
She turns toward me, her mouth open, tears rolling down her face. “You built me my own pet spa?”
I’ve worried for weeks she wouldn’t like it. “I’m sure it’s not the fancy spa you had in mind, but I built a special table just for the pet massage.” I open the back door and show her the inside.
“Oh my God.” She jumps into my arms. “Austin! What did you do?”
My heart fills with a warmth I’ve never felt before in my life.
“This is perfect. You even stocked the cupboards!”
“I got the fanciest stuff I could find, but we can change it out for whatever.”
“No, this is perfect. You’re perfect! How did I get so lucky?” She kisses my lips again and again, bounding into me with excitement. “I don’t have anything for you. I didn’t know we were doing gifts.”
I hold her tight. “You’re the only gift I need.”
Her gaze narrows. “No, I’ll think of something. Maybe something later… like a little rodeo of our own?”
I nod. “Yeah, I reckon that’ll do nicely. Though, now that you’ve brought it to the table, I’m thinking you might need a little—”
“Sorry to interrupt,” a woman’s voice breaks in from behind us.
“Mom?” Dolly says, turning back. I’m not sure if this is good or bad.
“Honey, I know I’m intruding, but I had to say how beautiful you are. The wedding was fitting for you two. It was wonderful.”
Dolly glances toward me and tucks her hand in mine. “Thank you. How are you?”
“I’m good. We’re heading to Paris next week for a vacation. I just wanted to stop by, say hi, and let you know I’m thinking of you.”
Dolly smiles and reaches toward her mom for a hug. “I appreciate it. Enjoy your trip.”
Her mother nods and manages a smile before walking away.
“You alright?” I wrap Dolly up in my arms.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m actually glad she saw me walk the aisle alone. It was empowering.”
“I’m glad she did too.” I lean in, kiss Dolly’s forehead, and breathe her in for the hundredth time today.
I don’t know what I did to deserve this light in my life, but I’ll be forever grateful for every bit of crazy this woman brings to the table.
“We need to try this out,” she grins, scanning the ring. “Jolene… where are you girl? Come on, Jolene.”
James, who’s been holding the leash, lets it go, and Jolene comes running like a bullet toward us.
Dolly scoops her into her arms and hops up into the back of the van, pretending to massage her playfully. “This is how it goes. First the ears, then the snout, a little on the back, and you finish with the paws. See… pet massage.”
I climb up into the van with them, ducking down to sit on the bench near the back. “Show me again. This time bend a little in this direction.”
She turns back and slaps me on the chest. “You’re crazy!”
“You keep sayin’ that.”
“And I will, forever and ever.” She kisses my chest as the dog jumps onto my lap.
I guess this is life. A sweet little Dolly I can’t wait to undo, and an unruly dog named Jolene.
