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Imagine all the dogs I can save. All the dogs that will have a chance to live out the rest of their lives in this house, on this property, not in a cage on a concrete floor.
“I know it’s fast, that I need to earn your trust back, but I was thinking you and your grandfather could move in when you’re ready.”
What?
He leads me by the hand to a small room off the laundry room with an en suite bathroom, perfect for Papa so he can have his personal space, but also be part of the house. I can imagine his memorabilia on the walls, a picture of my grandmother on a nightstand.
I’m still crying, but a huge smile is on my face.
He takes me out of the room and to another area, where our room would be. It’s larger and has a bathroom, and it overlooks the backyard with trees and a small hill.
He’s holding my hand in silence, as we look out the window, in this empty room that’s so full of possibilities.
“I talked to Priscilla, and she gave me some basic pointers for setting up the rescue. I did get the sign made, but we can change the name…”
“No, it’s perfect.” I imagine my soul dog Rory up in heaven, looking down on me, proud that I’ll be able to help dogs just like him. Dogs that wouldn’t get a second chance otherwise.
“I have one more surprise,” he says. We walk to the other bedroom, right next to the master. The door is closed, but when I open it, I let out a wail.
There, standing in the middle of the room, is a brown and white pit bull, my buddy.
Bubba.
The dog wiggles as he walks toward me, and I go to my knees. The dog licks my face, like he’s thanking me. Jackson looks down at me with a big smile, and there’s some mistiness in his eyes.
“I told Priscilla that I wanted to surprise you, and she told me to adopt this dog and I will be forgiven. So, if the house and the rescue didn’t work, I’m keeping him because we bonded on the way home.”
“You adopted Bubba?” I ask, standing up, as the dog leans against me, his little tail thumping.
I can’t hold back with Jackson; I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek, his eyelids, his nose. When our lips meet, calmness courses through my body. We just kiss as he holds me, squeezing a bit before he lets me go.
Bubba nudges my hip, and I laugh when he knocks me into Jackson.
Jackson holds me, kissing my throat, my ear, my head.
“I don’t want to leave Bubba now.” I point to him.
“Don’t worry. I got him a dog sitter.”
The doorbell rings, and my eyes widen. I walk to the door, and Priscilla is standing there with my grandpa on her arm.
“Are you going to give this boy another chance? Because this house is great and I want to live here. I’m tired of living in an apartment,” Papa says. I hug both of them.
“Were you in on this?” I ask Priscilla.
She nods. “I was. I had to make sure he properly apologized to you. However, I think you’ll just have to get back together with him because Bubba loves him.”
I turn around to find all eighty pounds of Bubba in Jackson’s arms.
My boys. Together.
A girl couldn’t dream up a better future.
* * *
The brewery is full of streamers and glitter, mimicking an early 2000s teen romantic comedy.
I walk into it, still dressed as Mandy Moore but without a stitch of makeup on. I cried it all off.
