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Deep breaths, buddy. I force myself to take a beat. I need to be calmer than a bobcat, but it’s hard when I’m as hungry as a freshly awoken bear from hibernation.
It’s time to be the man that one woman wants and needs. The man I am.
And never look back again.
PERI
Work is more of a stress outlet for me this week. There isn’t a person in this town, or the immediate area save for one or two— including the man who captured my heart, who doesn’t have a pet. I’m the only certified groomer within the county. I even help farmers sheer their sheep in the season.
To say the least, I keep busy. My books are full up. There’s a waiting list for cancellations. I charge extra on weekends to squeeze in last-minute beauty queens like the golden retriever of Mrs. Cubert on my table now.
The retriever bites at the wind of the blow dryer, bringing a smile to my lips. And for a moment, I forget about heartbreak and idiot men.
Then, in an instant, I’m reminded of idiot men as culprit Numero Uno walks into my shop. He’s in his suit. My heart feels heavy, but a part of me tingles, taking notice.
Stop it.He might look like aGQmodel now, but he’s still the same man who thinks he needs to change and impress others.
I’m afraid he’s going to ask me to go with him again and I will say no, and things will never be okay between us.
“You need to get out of here or you are going to look tarred-and-feathered for your reunion.”
His allergies are extreme and as much as I’m not happy with him, I’m also not heartless.
Orion stops just within the door, glancing at the dog, the blow dryer in my hand, and back to me. “I’m not going,” he states clearly over the noise.
I turn off the dryer and feed the dog a treat to distract it while the humans have a little chat. I close the gap between us but we’re still feet apart. I can already see his eyes turning pink from his allergies.
“Why not?” I ask.
“Because I don’t want to.” He phrases it too simply for my satisfaction.
“Oh? Why’s that? Something change? Did we forget to polish your shoes?”
His head tips and he smirks, those red lips beckoning to me. “Only thing that changed was you, Peri. You changed me in ways that I didn’t ask for.” He takes a step forward, and I watch his nose scrunch as he resists sneezing. He expects me to argue, and he charges on in his explanation before I can get a word in. “You changed me in thebestways. While I wanted the outside redone, you worked your mastery and fixed all the inside too.”
“Pfft, I still think nothing about you needed to change.”
“I know.” He’s almost to me. “And I was a fool for not seeing what you’ve seen in me all along.”
“You’re so cheesy,” I deflect, blushing.
“I love you, Peri Anne Welsh.” He wraps me into a hug, ignoring the fact that I am covered head to toe in dog hair.
“Like love-love?” I choke.
“Like bake me a pie every Sunday, my love.”
“EverySunday?”
“Until forever runs out of Sundays,” Orion declares, his face coming closer to mine. “Marry me, Peri, and I promise to only be the version of me you see,” he whispers only for us.
My jaw trembles and my eyes burn as tears blur my vision. “Oh, my,” I struggle to speak. “It’s about time. I love you too.” I realize I didn’t address his last sentiment. “And yes, I’ll marry you.”
There’s no thunder and lightning when he kisses me this time. But there are fireworks going off behind my eyelids as my mountain man has reached his peak and we are at the top together.
EPILOGUE
Orion
