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I know what I have to aim for. Shape the words, explain how I feel and pray she wants the same.
But it would shatter everything if she didn’t. It might even do that if she did.
From the yard below, dogs suddenly start yelping. It’s the high-pitched whine of dogs fighting.
I leap to my feet and go to the window when I hear Danni’s voice rising.
Candace is moving across the yard, but Danni’s closer.
“Enough,” she yells, as the Jack Russell terriers go at each other, a black-and-white one pinning the caramel-colored cross on his back, going for his neck.
But when I look closely, I can see the dogs aren’t trying to seriously hurt each other… yet.
Danni strides over with the no-bite stick in her hand.
“Enough,” she says again, firmer this time, without letting her voice rise and waver.
The dogs pause, just for a moment, responding to the confidence in my woman’s voice. I pick up Shelby as he stands on his hind legs, propping his forepaws on me, but I don’t take my eyes off Danni.
I’m captivated by the skill with which she handles it, deftly sliding the no-bite stick into the dog’s mouth and then leading him away.
Candace takes the other dog aside.
The whole time, I stare at my woman, my heart thudding.
A voice roars inside of me, telling me now, now, now.
There’s something about seeing her so in control…and something even sweeter about the way she beams when she returns, her hand covering her mouth like she’s trying to contain a yell of excitement.
She looks up, spots me watching her, then raises her hands as if to say, Can you believe that?
I turn away, carrying Shelby to the door, my heart pounding.
Maybe it’s trying to tell me to stop, to think this through more clearly, but I can’t.
I find Jerry at the front desk. He bolts to his feet when he sees me, standing with a military posture, avoiding my gaze.
It’s understandable, based on what happened last night.
This morning, I told him it’s not his fault his brother behaved that way...but if he ever does, especially around the dogs, he’s gone.
“Jerry, take Shelby for a couple of hours,” I say, placing the Corgi down and then tickling my hands behind his ears. “I won’t be long, boy.”
I know Shelby’s going to be safe since we have strict sign-in and sign-out policies. Shelby will be here when I get back.
I know I should stop – we haven’t even told Elizabeth yet – but my feet carry me into the yard. Candace is beaming, turning as she hears me approach.
“Did you see that? She just aced it.”
“I saw.” I can’t help but smile, my cheeks hurting with the force of it. “Where is she? I need to speak with her.”
Candace gestures to the entrance, which leads to the kennels. I walk down them with my shoulders squared, feeling like a man with a clear purpose, nothing able to stop me, nothing able to even try and stop me.
I find my woman kneeling next to the cage, talking gently to the dog who came out the worst in the scuffle.
Love and kindness emanate from Danni, her soft words making me think of when we have kids, of how she’ll talk to them, her speech gentle and full of affection.
“Danni,” I say after a few moments.
She turns and stands.
Wayward strands of hair have come loose from her ponytail. I step forward, reaching over and wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close and feeling her body against mine.
“You did so well,” I say, leaning down so my lips are close to hers, not caring if somebody might wander in here and catch us. “I’m so proud.”
“I can’t believe it,” she says, her voice trembling as excitement bubbles up. “It was so crazy. I didn’t think it was going to work at first. But they listened. I know it’s not like two Great Danes….”
“You did it, Danni,” I say firmly. “That’s all that matters. I saw the whole thing. It made me think….”
Something tries to stop me again, the fear which has paralyzed me each time we’ve come close to this.
“It made me think of what an incredible mother you’re going to make,” I say gruffly. “It made me so happy you belong to me…and you always will. It made me need to find you, Danni, and tell you…you’re mine. You’re only mine. You’ll only ever be mine.”
She leans back in my embrace like my words are physical objects.
“What?” she whispers.
“I felt it the second you walked into the living room. You appeared there like a….”
Dammit. I don’t care if this sounds cheesy.
“Like an angel, Danni,” I say huskily. “I didn’t recognize you. Or maybe I didn’t want to. But I knew, right then, I had to spend the rest of my life with you. I knew I had to have babies with you. I knew I’d lose my mind if any other man tried to touch you. You belong. To. Me.”
