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He looked over at her and smiled. “I think you’re right. Well, let’s get her in the truck and take her back and see if she has a chip.”
He untied the dog, lifted her into his truck and she laid down on the seat between them as they drove back to the property, stopping at the adoption center he’d built close to the barn. He took her out of the truck and carried her into the building to scan her.
“No chip. I would have been surprised if she had one, given her condition. Honey, how would you feel if we had our celebratory dinner another night? This poor girl needs a bath and a warm bed and some food, I think.”
“Daddy! Of course we can’t leave her to go to dinner.” She stroked the dog’s head. “We are gonna take such good care of you, pretty girl. Daddy Luca is the best Daddy ever, I promise.”
“Am I, baby?” he asked, gazing down at her.
“You sure are. I’m so lucky, Daddy.”
“So, what are we going to call her?” he asked, petting the dog’s dirty white fur.
“I get to name her?”
“Yep, you do.”
“How about Princess? Because I know you’ll treat her like a princess, just like you do me.”
“That’s perfect.”
Princess licked Frankie’s hand, then leaned her head against her leg.
“Daddy? I love her already. Can we…can we keep her, since she’s the first? I feel like the universe put her here tonight for a reason.”
“I think so, too, honey.” He moved closer, taking her hand and staring into her eyes. “I think it means we can really be a family, if you want to.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest, like a hundred butterflies flying around in there. “You mean…be together all the time?”
“That’s exactly what I mean. I know you have your own beautiful house, baby, but I’d love nothing more than for you to move in with me. What do you think? Is my house okay?”
“Oh, Daddy!” She launched into his arms, wrapping hers around his waist. “You want me to live with you? I’d live in the barn if it meant being with you, but you know I love your house. It feels more like a home than mine ever did. And you’re there, and that’s the important part. Yes, Daddy! I’m so happy!”
He hugged her tight, then kissed her hard while her heart beat so fast she could barely breathe.
Princess pushed her head between them, making them laugh.
“She already knows we’re a family,” Daddy Luca said, stroking the dog’s head.
“She’s going to have to learn the rules real fast,” Frankie said, squatting down next to the dog. “Princess, we’re only allowed two cups of coffee a day and no offense, but you are gonna need a bath, pronto!”
“Frankie, you are not giving this dog coffee,” Daddy Luca said, humor under his stern tone.
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “And what are you gonna do about it if I do?” she sassed.
He pulled her against him and held her tight. “I’m going to give you the spanking of your life. And then I’m going to keep on loving you. Forever.
Forever.
It was her new favorite word. Except for family. Especially the one they were creating together.
THE END
