AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Most cats aren’t. Unless they’re wild.” Zander rubbed the kitten’s back.
She stroked its head and scratched its ears. “What its name?” She turned the ribbon collar looking for a tag. It spun a shiny gold ring right into her hand. “What’s this?” She looked at Zander. He was down on one knee in front of her.
“Heather Olsen, I know we’ve only known each other for weeks. You’ve taught me so much about myself, and about setting boundaries. I’ve learned that my family is more than capable of looking after themselves, thanks to you. I couldn’t imagine having time to date until you came along.”
She wrinkled her nose at him, and he tapped it with his finger.
“I’m not finished. You asked for friendship, I offered fake dating. I thought it would keep my heart safe. I was wrong. So very, very wrong. I fell in love with you. No, I fell deeper in love with you. I’m certain I fell for you the moment I saw you serving horsd'oeuvres at the inn’s opening. The sun was glinting off your hair and you looked like an angel. I love you, more than I ever imagined I could love another person. Heather, will you marry me?”
With every word he spoke, her heartbeat accelerated until it pounded in her ears. Her chest grew tight. She gasped. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” She wanted to fling her arms around him, but the cat had dozed off on her lap.
“Um, I want to hug you, but the cat ….”
He slipped his hand under the kitten and passed it to Ella who placed it back into the basket. “I’ll take that kiss now,” he teased.
She flung herself into his arms and pressed her lips against his. Electricity danced over her skin making her feel alive. She poured all her love into the kiss and felt his in his embrace. They kissed until the cheering crowd penetrated.
“Oh.” She giggled.
“Are you going to keep the kitten?” Ella intruded.
Heather looked from the kitten to Zander and back. “I think maybe I will. He doesn’t seem so scary.”
“It’s a girl,” Ella declared.
“Well then, I think I’ll keep her.
“You should call her Narwhal,” Ella exclaimed.
“You can’t name a cat Narwhal,” Zander declared.
Heather took the kitten back and cuddled it to her cheek and neck. “I’m living in an ocean town; she needs an ocean name. She’s mine, I’ll call her whatever I want, and I want to call her Narwhal.”
Ella giggled.
Zander laughed and slipped his arm around her waist. She leaned into him as a sense of perfect peace and contentment washed over her. This was exactly where she was meant to be.
♥♥♥
Did you enjoy Zander and Heather’s story?
Please leave a review at your favorite retailer.
The Bellamie Brothers of Half Moon Bay is a four-book sweet small-town romance series comprised of connected but standalone stories written by Katie O’Connor and Audrey Carnes.
Watch for the rest of this heartwarming series.
Book 3:Second Chance Romance in Half Moon Bay
Derrick and Sammi’s story in the summer of 2023.
Book 4:Playing for Keeps in Half Moon Bay
Tyson and Quinn will follow in the fall of 2023.
If you haven’t already, check out Book1:
The Billionaire Innkeeper of Half Moon Bay
