Chapter 15

Bryson

I grinat Desi as I wait for the salesclerk to finish ringing up the engagement ring I just bought for Jory. She’s got her next appointment to finish her tattoo tomorrow, and I plan to ask her to marry me. Some may say it’s not been long enough, but I feel it’s a long time coming. Ever since the council voted five to one for Jory’s proposal, the shelter director has been working to gather all the numbers so that a new shelter can be built.

Jory’s been busy at work. A multi-car accident sent six people to the funeral home, so she and Desi have worked almost non-stop to take care of all the families, since a house fire also killed a family of four. Each night she comes home, she takes care of the chickens, Peaches, the barn cats, Mr. Whiskers and Cheeto, before she collapses in a dead sleep. On the days I’m off, I do what I can to carry that load so she can focus on work, but she’s still handling the lion’s share.

“She’s going to love it, Bryson,” Desi says as I sign the credit card slip.

I could’ve paid for it outright since I got my next trust fund installment, but it’s a cashback credit card, and I plan to use those rewards toward our honeymoon.

“I hope so,” I murmur, sliding my card and the receipt into my wallet. “Okay, gotta head into work for a mandatory meeting, but I appreciate you coming to help me.”

“Any time,” she replies. “Now to go grab two specials from the diner so she doesn’t suspect anything.”

“What excuse did you give?”

“I told her I overslept, which wasn’t too far from the truth, and that I’d pick up lunch,” she says, laughing.

“She’s going to know,” I warn.

“I’ll tell her after I’ve asked her to marry me,” I retort, smirking.

* * *

“I hate these meetings,” Doss murmurs. “We already know this stuff, man.”

“But the new guys don’t, and it never hurts to refresh on things that aren’t as common around here. Because it could happen,” I remind him.

I focus in on what the chief is saying, deciding to ignore Doss who’s been in a bear of a mood for the last few shifts. I don’t know what’s eating him, but right now, until he’s ready to tell me, there’s not much I can say or do.

“Finally,” he grumbles as we’re dismissed. “Sucks we had to come in on an off day for this, though.”

“Like either of us have a lot of stuff to do otherwise,” I state. “Hell, my garden’s growing well, the barn cats, Max and Benny, are adjusting to life on the farm, and Jory pretty much has Peaches housebroken now since she’s living there.”

“Lucky bastard,” he mutters.

“Look, don’t know what’s bugging you, man, but you need to get your head on straight before our next shift. People count on us to be in peak condition, not just physically, but mentally. If you keep this up, you’re going to start making mistakes,” I advise.

“Fuck, I know. I’m going through some shit, not ready to share it at all, but I realize I have to purge this and soon.”

I slap him on the shoulder then head out to my truck, my mind on one thing—Jory.

* * *

“Hey, I didn’t expect you so soon,” she says, climbing down from the hayloft where I know she just refilled Max and Benny’s food dish and water bowl. Both are auto feeders, but she checks them every day and often takes them cans of wet food, which they’ve come to expect, based on the way they follow her around.

“So, how do you feel about getting married?” I ask as she reaches me.

“What?”

Kneeling down, I take her hand in mine and start talking. “I’ve loved you for a long time now, Jory. Probably as long ago as that first fire, although I didn’t recognize what it was back then. I just know you’ve always been in my thoughts, as I wondered how you made out, how you were doing, what you were doing as you got older. Our chance encounter at the diner merely opened the door for us to truly begin. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, grow old alongside you, as we raise our menagerie and someday, our children. You’re everything to me, sweetheart, will you marry me?”

I didn’t plan to propose like this, but the ring’s been burning a hole in my pocket, and I felt like we’ve waited long enough. However, her reaction has me falling on my ass as she all but tackles me, shouting, “Yes!” as she peppers my face with kisses.

“I take it you’re good with marrying me?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” she murmurs before she kisses me, starting a different kind of fire between us.

We continue to kiss until I feel a wet nose against my cheek. Pulling back, I see Peaches standing there, tongue lolling out and her tail wagging. Jory’s giggles have me joining in, as I manage to untangle us and get us upright once again.

“How about we go get cleaned up then head out for something to eat to celebrate?” I question. “Because you’ve got a little bit of dirt right here,” I tease, swiping across her cheek.

“It’s from the garden. We’re going to have a lot of produce, Bryson,” she tells me as we walk toward the house, Peaches following behind us.

* * *

Later that night, as she sleeps in my arms, I marvel at how much life has changed. All for the better of course, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.