Page 278 of The Defiant Curse

He’d seen a big difference in Elizabeth in just a day, and if it meant having multiple dogs…oh, no.

Poor him.

Ethan just shook his head.

“I think I was just thrown over for a woman. I’m not sure, but I suspect my wife just tossed me for dogs.”

Gabby laughed.

“Well, it could be worse. It could be over a man.”

Well, she had a point there. That would have had a very different response.

Finn tapped his wife on the shoulder.

“Why did she just tell my sister that we were getting a dog, GABRIELLA?” he asked. “I know for a fact that you aren’t bringing those horses into the house.”

She smiled at him.

“What if I said this,” she asked, whispering in his ear. As she did, his eyes went huge.

“We’ll take one,” he said. “Maybe two.”

That made all the men laugh because they were, after all, simple creatures, and there was no doubt what Gabby had been whispering.

As Elizabeth and Catherine were talking, Ethan began looking at the other things in the shop. He wanted to bring a few things home for the family.

Oh, and also in case he found something for his wife. It didn’t take him long before he saw a gorgeous necklace. It was gold, and it had the same ruby stones that her rosary had.

They glinted in the case’s lights.

He believed he’d found a winner.

Elizabeth’s favorite colors were red and gold, for the Marines who protected her and Koda.

He was definitely buying that for her.

When he glanced over, Catherine was working on the necklace as Elizabeth hovered.

As they waited, Gabby shared what she was thinking.

“She looks better.”

Ethan was aware.

“She really needed this trip here. Thank you for taking care of her and making her feel whole again. While me coming helped, being with people she loved has too. We absolutely want to pet the puppies and have dinner with Fiona. At her farm, and at the castle. We’d love to host them there, too. I think that would also make her happy.”

Gabby could do that.

Fiona loved the castle, and with all the children and grandchildren, it would bring life back into the place.

Elizabeth wasn’t the only one who needed that injection of life.

When Elizabeth looked over at them, she smiled, and it was the smile of a whole new reenergized Elizabeth. There was a twinkle back in her eyes, and the worry lines were gone.

Here, she was finding herself again.

“She’s able to see it!” she said, excitedly.