Page 22 of Sweet Dreams at the Forever Home on Muddypuddle Lane (The Forever Home on Muddypuddle Lane #2)

Three Months Later

Nora stirred, coming to full wakefulness with a jolt as she realised she was alone in the bed. Her hand crept over to Elijah’s side and felt the sheet. It was cold, so he’d been gone a while, she guessed, sitting up.

Where was Biscuit? The dog slept in the bedroom, although he’d remained downstairs when certain activities had taken place last night. But after he’d been let out in the garden to have a wee, Nora had brought him up to bed.

She squinted at her phone, trying to make out the time, and groaned when she realised it was seven thirty-five.

She had to leave for the salon in an hour, and she was usually up and about well before now to take Biscuit for his morning walk.

Mind you, she and Elijah had been late getting to sleep, and she felt heat sweep up her neck and into her face when she thought of the reason why.

They’d been together three months now, and still couldn’t get enough of each other, much to Biscuit’s disgust. He usually made his displeasure known in the droop of his tail and the accusing look in his eyes whenever he was made to leave the bedroom because they were “busy”.

Wondering where the dog was, (Elijah would have left for the bakery hours ago) Nora slipped out of bed and trotted downstairs.

‘Biscuit?’ she called, before spying him sprawled on the kitchen floor. ‘Ah, there you are.’ She knelt to give him a cuddle, and he lifted his head and licked her on the nose. ‘Sorry, boy, but it’s too late to take you for a walk. I’ve got to go to work. You’ll have to make do with the garden.’

Feeling a little cross that Elijah hadn’t woken her before he left – he usually did, because he knew how she hated rushing in the morning – she got nimbly to her feet and wondered what she could have for breakfast. But as she flipped the switch on the kettle to make a cup of the herbal tea she’d come to love, a piece of paper lying beside it caught her eye.

Elijah had left a note. How quaint.

I’ve taken Biscuit for a walk. Breakfast is in the fridge. Yours, not Biscuit’s. Thought I’d let you sleep on.

PS. You look really cute when you’re asleep.

PPS. You look really cute when you’re awake.

PPS. See you later?

Nora hugged herself. He certainly would see her later. In fact, she’d be most disappointed if he didn’t. He’d seen her most evenings since the very first night they’d spent together when he’d brought her flowers after she’d nearly been squished by a car.

Delighted that he’d taken Biscuit out, and that he’d made her some savoury egg muffins for breakfast, Nora tucked into them with relish, thinking once a baker, always a baker, then she had a quick shower, dressed hastily and called Biscuit to her.

The dog rose slowly, yawned and stretched. He looked as languid as she felt, and she wondered how far Elijah had walked him this morning.

She took out her phone. Elijah answered on the third ring.

‘Dog walk, then dinner?’ she said. ‘I’ll cook.’

‘Do you want me to bring afters?’

‘No, I’m the afters. Exercise after food is good for my blood glucose,’ she told him primly, grinning wider than a Cheshire cat.

‘How much exercise are we talking about?’

‘That’s up to you.’ Nora ended the call with a naughty giggle. She was already looking forward to getting home from work and she hadn’t even left the house yet!

When Nora and Biscuit arrived home later that evening, Elijah was waiting for her in her kitchen with a bunch of flowers.

‘Do you have something to apologise for?’ she asked after he’d greeted the dog (she knew her place in the pecking order).

‘Not this time.’

‘Then why the flowers?’

‘Because I can’t bring you chocolates.’

‘I don’t need chocolates. I don’t need flowers, either. All I need is you.’

‘And Biscuit,’ he pointed out.

‘That goes without saying. But why do you feel the need to bring me flowers? I’m not complaining, mind you. Just curious.’

‘Because I want to butter you up.’

Elijah took her in his arms and she snuggled into him as he ran his hands down the curve of her waist and over her hips, which were considerably slimmer than when she’d first met him.

She’d reached her target weight, was eating healthily with the occasional treat (thanks to Elijah), and was exercising every day (thanks to Biscuit).

Her glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol were also all now within normal range – and she intended them to stay that way.

‘Why do you want to butter me up?’ she asked, nibbling his neck and giggling when he groaned in response.

Biscuit let out a disgruntled huff and turned his back on them. He guessed what was coming next. Nora, however, didn’t guess, because what Elijah said came as a complete surprise.

‘How do you feel about us moving in together?’ he asked.

Nora drew back to look him in the eye. ‘I rather like the idea,’ she replied, after giving herself a moment to think about it.

They were living in each other’s pockets most of the time anyway, between her house and his, so it was the sensible thing to do.

‘I’m sure can make room for some of your stuff, but not all of it though,’ she warned. Her house wasn’t all that big.

‘What do you mean, “make room for my stuff”? I assumed you would move in with me .’

‘Whatever gave you that idea?’ She grabbed his backside and pulled him closer.

‘Because I’ve got a bigger garden.’

‘My house is larger, and your garden is only a bit bigger than mine,’ she countered.

‘My kitchen is nicer than yours, and since I do most of the cooking…’

‘Only because you’re home from work before me. I’m quite happy to cook.’

‘You hate cooking!’

‘I don’t mind it,’ she argued.

‘Liar.’

He’d got her there; she really wasn’t that keen on cooking. ‘I’ve got a power shower,’ she pointed out.

‘We could have a new one installed in my house.’

‘I like my house.’

‘And I like mine.’

The dog whined and Nora said, ‘I’ve got an idea. We’ll ask Biscuit to decide. What do you say, Biscuit?’

Nora and Elijah turned to stare at the dog.

Biscuit had shuffled around to face them and was lying on the floor, his front paws outstretched, panting. He wore an exasperated look on his face, and very slowly he lowered his head and put one paw over his eyes, covering them.

‘See!’ Nora cried. ‘I told you he understands every word! God, I love that dog.’

‘And I love you .’

Nora froze. The air was suddenly thick, and she tried to catch her breath because his words had knocked the wind out of her.

‘You love me?’ she managed, her voice weak and shaking.

She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. Her heart was thudding, knocking on her ribs in a staccato rhythm, so loud that she was sure he must be able to hear it.

‘I do,’ he replied softly.

She bit her lip to stop her chin from trembling.

Never in a million years did she think she’d be this happy.

Elijah was her world; he’d come into her life when she’d been at her darkest and had lit her up from the inside and taught her how to love – with the help of a certain fluffy hound who was eyeing her with concern, and she realised she was keeping Elijah hanging.

‘I love you, too,’ Nora murmured. Then kissed him, and it might have gone on for some considerable time if it hadn’t been for Biscuit, who squirmed his way in between them and let out a volley of loud barks.

‘I think he’s telling us he approves,’ Elijah said.

Nora beamed. ‘How could he not, since it was he who brought us together? Biscuit, you don’t mind waiting for your walk, do you?’ she asked, and she wasn’t in the least bit surprised when he shook his head…