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He laughs, knocking my shoulder back. “Anytime. You have my word.”
I nod, and a comfortable silence settles between us, both of us looking out over the parking lot and smiling at the happy faces. While the paperwork only dried on the sale of the clinic yesterday, it’s a relief to see how excited Marco is to take over. It’s not surprising, though. Not when he immediately said yes when I asked if he would be interested in buying it from me. It’s been an easy, quick process, and it’s made all of the upcoming changes in my life easier to grasp.
Flutters build in my belly when I think of the man who’s at the centre of all those plans. Maddox announced his decision to enter free agency shortly after our magical moment in the tree house—the same day I asked Marco about the clinic, actually—and everything has been moving so fast since then.
Dougie has been a busy man sorting through all of Dox’s potential offers, and while my man wants to stay in Canada, it hasn’t deterred the other teams from trying to snatch him up anyway. It’s been a little overwhelming, but he knows that wherever he chooses to go, I’ll be right there with him.
He’s been a total trooper while he watches his old team try to keep themselves in the Stanley Cup race, but they’re down by three games, and it isn’t looking good for them. While he might blame himself for his part in their approaching loss, playing without his heart in the game might have done more harm than good, anyway.
Speaking of Maddox, his sister calls my name from across the parking lot, and I search through the crowds until I find her at the edge beside her parents, hand flying through the air. I don’t spot Maddox with them, and I have to fight to keep from frowning.
Where is he?
Marco chuckles, following my gaze. “Looks like you’re wanted. I’ll catch you later, yeah?”
“Of course. Find me before you leave. Have fun,” I rush out, shooting him a smile before beelining it for the Huttons.
It’s a task maneuvering my way through the crowds, but I wouldn’t change how busy it is for anything. The only thing I wish I could change is Hades being out here with the other dogs. But I knew it would only overwhelm and possibly scare him, so he’s inside, in his own special spot in the clinic reception, still there waiting for a family.
“My beautiful Braxton,” Ava says, pulling me in for a bear hug when I finally reach them. I blink away the tears gathering in my eyes at the thought of Hades and soak up her love.
“This is an amazing turnout. Everything looks great,” Oakley notes, rubbing the portion of my back exposed between his wife’s arms.
“Thank you,” I murmur, stepping back when Ava releases me.
“I bought like ten of those calendars online, and holy shit, I have no idea how you handled being around all of those hot bods,” Addie says in awe, fanning herself.
I stifle a laugh at the way Oakley’s scowling at her. Ava simply grabs her hand and then reaches for mine.
“My favourite part of the calendar is the photo they used for September. I asked Maddox to order me that photo by itself so that I could frame it. You two are so beautiful together,” Ava says softly.
I flush all the way to my toes. “I might have done the same thing. It is beautiful.”
The first time I saw the photo of us that they chose for the calendar, I cried. With Maddox’s body at my side, turned toward me as much as possible—a detail I didn’t notice at the time—and our eyes meeting over Hades as he sits pretty between us, we look like a family. Even on paper, it’s impossible not to feel the adoration and love that lives between us.
“Maddox told us that the dog between you is your favourite,” Oakley says.
My heart swells at the fact they’ve talked about Hades.
“Yeah, he is. Hades is special. He’s been through so much.” I squeeze Ava’s hand, using my grip on her fingers and the cool feel of her wedding band as a way to keep from letting my thoughts wander off to what will happen if he doesn’t get adopted today. “Where is Maddox, anyway? He said he was coming with you guys.”
“He did! I think he wanted to say hi to Hades first,” Addie tells me.
“Oh.” My smile is instant as my worry evaporates.
“Do you think we could meet Hades too? I’ve never been a big pet person, but if he’s important to you, then I would like to meet him.” Ava smiles, eyes glittering as she waits for my answer.
“Of course. He’s just inside the clinic. His past is tragic, and he isn’t big on new people, though. Just a warning.”
Addie has already started pulling Ava toward the clinic before I’ve finished speaking, in turn pulling me behind them. A laugh slips from my mouth as Oakley follows and mutters something under his breath that sounds like,calm down, speed racer.
The crowds start to slim out the further we get from the animal pens in the parking lot and the closer we get to the clinic entrance. Actually, there isn’t a single person standing anywhere close to the entrance.
My brows tug together as Addie whips open the door, and Cooper appears on the other side, wearing a cheek-splitting grin.
“Cooper?” I mutter, suspicion thick in the single word.
“Hello, love.” He winks at me and then focuses on the other three bodies. “Hutton family.”
