Page 42 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

TWO MONTHS LATER

T here was a lot to celebrate.

With Shannon living alone in the big house, us living separately had lasted all of three days before she’d brought up me moving in with her.

She’d pointed out that my stuff was still in boxes since I’d yet to unpack, so it was easy enough to load everything up and bring it all out.

It made sense in a lot of ways and Josh had joked about the value of having a vet living at the ranch.

Within the first week, we’d managed to christen every flat surface in the house—and we were working our way around all the vertical ones too.

Going to sleep every night and waking up every morning next to her were some of the favorite parts of my days. Then there was holding her hand, kissing her, being inside her, spending time with her. I was so deeply in love with Shannon Cafferty and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

Six weeks ago, I signed the last document to take full ownership of the Poplar Springs Animal Medical Center, releasing Ruth into the retirement she’d been clamoring for and me into the second step of my new life, with Shannon as the first.

Then there was the joyous occasion we’d all been looking forward to, Josh and Zoe’s rehearsal dinner and wedding weekend. I was excited to stand by my best friend as he took his vows.

The wedding was going to be a formal affair at a recently opened local winery.

Zoe had been contracted to build their website and they were so happy with what she created, they’d offered her the space at no charge—Josh just had to pay for the catering and supplies.

Tonight, the rehearsal dinner was set to be a family style throw-down in one of Lost Valley’s repurposed barns.

I could hear the music and laughter as I made my way toward the soft party lights.

I was a little late due to running a last-minute errand, but I didn’t think anyone would notice my absence.

“Hey! Where were you?”

Shannon came out of nowhere, leaping onto my back and linking her arms around my neck.

“Hey yourself! I was taking care of some, uh, best man duties. You know how that goes,” I lied smoothly. “I’m sure you have a long list of maid of honor duties.”

She kissed my cheek and slid off my back. “Nope, not at all. Zoe is super low maintenance. It’s sort of annoying, but I do love that about her.”

I grabbed her hand, and we headed for the barn. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

“This old thing?” I laughed as she smoothed the front of her green sundress and slipped her hands in the pockets. “Wait till you see me tomorrow.”

“Gonna give Zoe a run for her money, huh?”

“Hardly. She’s a gorgeous bride. Josh is going to keel over when he sees her.” She paused. “Hey, do you think he’s going to cry?”

I considered it. “Well, he definitely plays up the tough guy act, but I know firsthand he’s a huge softie underneath. Yeah, he’s gonna cry for sure.”

We paused beneath the massive oak tree with the old tree swing. Shannon plopped down on it. “They won’t miss us for a few more minutes, right?”

I peered beyond her to the barn. “They look like they’re still trying to figure out who’s supposed to sit where. I think we’re fine.”

I got behind her, pulled her backward on the swing, then let her go. Shannon leaned back as the swing went up and grinned at me, upside down.

“Have I told you how ridiculously happy I am?” she asked, her dress fluttering in the wind as she soared.

“Not in about thirty minutes, so I think you’re due,” I said with a smile.

Shannon pumped her legs, making the swing go higher. “It’s wild. I mean, my breeding program is busier than ever, and there are some days when I can barely catch my breath, but yeah. I’m really, really happy.”

“Me too.”

I’d never thought it was in the cards for me, this passionate life that I was living with Shannon.

There was nothing levelheaded about the way she made me feel, but I knew now that surrendering to my feelings wouldn’t throw me off balance or destroy the equilibrium I’d worked so hard to achieve.

The same drive that lived within my parents was also driving me to balance what I needed with what I wanted.

I smiled to myself as I thought about my parents.

All it had taken was a visit to the new doctor and a recalibration of her cholesterol medication for the memory fog around my mother that had me so worried to disappear.

Within weeks she was back to normal, as sharp yet flighty as ever.

It felt like everything was finally falling into place.

Well, almost everything.

I cleared my throat and grabbed onto the ropes, easing the swing to a stop.

“Time to get in there, huh?” Shannon asked.

“Yeah, we probably should…” I trailed off as I looked over my shoulder.

She hopped off the swing. “Okay, but hold on a sec. I want to talk to you about something.”

There was a buzzy energy around Shannon, a giddiness that I didn’t recognize. I chalked it up to her excitement about the wedding. After all, I was the one who was supposed to feel nervous given the errand I’d just run.

She beamed up at me, then took my hands. “Dr. Declan Morris, do you have any idea how much I love you?”

I felt my heart swell at the question. “Yeah, I think I do. Because I love you that much.”

“When I think back to that nervous girl who kissed you under the mistletoe,” she went on, “I’m sure that she never could’ve imagined that she’d wind up right here, with you.”

I smiled at the memory and started to lean down to kiss her.

“Hold on,” she said abruptly, throwing her hand up in front of my face to stop me. “Every time you kiss me, I lose track of my brain and all I can think about is ripping your clothes off. Just gimme a minute here to say what I need to say.”

I cocked my head at her. “Not sure I follow what’s going on. Is this good or bad?”

“Good.” She paused. “At least I hope so.” Shannon looked down at our joined hands and took a deep breath. “I love you, Declan. Everything about you. Your stubborn streak, your dedication to your work, the way you can make everyone like you—human and animal. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever known.”

“Aw, shucks,” I answered, pulling her so that she tripped a step closer to me.

“It’s true,” Shannon answered, squeezing my big hands with surprising strength. “I feel like the luckiest woman alive every time I look at you. And that’s why I want to do something… different.”

She let go of my hands and reached into her pocket, then pulled out a slim wooden box about the size of a lighter.

Time slowed as I realized what Shannon was doing as she fiddled with the box, opening it to reveal the carved gold band inside.

“Shannon… no…”

She stopped abruptly, her hands frozen with the box outstretched in front of her.

“ No ?”

My heart was nearly hammering out of my chest as I fumbled to reach into my own pocket.

“No.”

I pulled out a box and dropped to my knee in front of her as she squealed in recognition.

“You were literally about to take the words out of my mouth, but I’m not going to let you do it,” I said, looking up at her as her face screwed up. “Shannon Cafferty, will you marry me ?”

The tears were flowing before I even finished asking the question. She nodded silently, hiccupping and crying as she dropped to her knees in front of me and threw her arms around my neck.

Our lips touched and I could taste her tears.

“Hey, you okay?” I asked, smoothing her hair back.

She sniffled loudly and nodded. “I was so damn nervous about asking you that I didn’t even notice that you were acting weird too! You caught me totally off guard.”

I laughed. “I could’ve sworn you could feel my hand shaking.

I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to do it tonight, or tomorrow after the reception was over, or God knows when.

I bought the ring a while ago, and I’d been carrying it around with me looking for the right opportunity.

You sort of gave me the perfect excuse to go for it tonight. ”

I took the diamond engagement ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger. Thanks to a few calculations based on her glove size, the simple one-carat ring fit.

“I love it,” she breathed, holding her hand up in the fading light. “Oh, Dec, it’s perfect!”

“You’re perfect,” I whispered, pulling her closer so I could kiss her again.

“So, are you going to wear the ring I bought?” Shannon asked against my lips.

I grinned, kissing her on the nose before holding my left hand out to her. “Ring me, babe,” I said, and she snorted with laughter before placing the ring on my finger. I was surprised at how well it fit and suspected she’d been making her own ring size calculations.

She pulled away reluctantly. “I guess we need to get in there. Kind of rude for the best man and maid of honor to miss the rehearsal dinner.”

I sighed and looked at the barn as the sound of happy chatter and music drifted out. “You’re right. Besides, I have the rest of my life to kiss you.”

“Better be more than just kissing, mister,” Shannon grumbled as she stood up.

“Oh, don’t you worry,” I said, brushing off my knees. “I’m going to drag you back up to the hay loft before this night ends.”

“Or we could just go to our bed,” she offered.

“Nah, what’s the fun in that?”

We joined hands and started for the barn again. I stopped walking abruptly.

“Maybe we shouldn’t say anything? I don’t want to steal Josh and Zoe’s thunder, you know?”

“You’re right.” She nodded, frowning a little. “It’ll be our secret until after their wedding.”

We walked into the barn and everyone turned to cheer for us.

“Sorry,” Shannon hollered over the noise, waving. “We hate to be late.”

“Someone check her hair for hay,” Fiona yelled. “Bet they were in the loft again.”

Everyone laughed and razzed us more as we found our seats next to Josh, Zoe, Fiona, and Eli.

The caterers quickly filled our glasses with champagne and Josh stood up to make a thank you toast celebrating his love for his wife-to-be and thanking his sisters for their support. By the time he reached the end of it, he had everyone misty-eyed.

“To family,” Josh said in closing.

Everyone murmured in agreement and the sound of clinking glasses filled the room until a shriek pierced the cocktail noises.

“What is that ?” Fiona asked, loudly enough to attract everyone’s attention.

She was pointing at Shannon’s finger with her mouth hanging open.

“Oh, uh, it’s… surprise?” Shannon stuttered, blushing and smiling as she clutched her left hand to her chest and covered it with her other hand.

I looked around the room and realized that everyone had gone silent while they waited for an explanation. I stood up slowly.

“I’m sorry for stealing the spotlight, that was not our intention, but I asked Shannon to marry me tonight. Actually, we asked each other.” I couldn’t stop the grin. “And we both said yes.” I lifted up my left hand, showing off the ring I was wearing.

The barn exploded in noise and before I knew what was happening, Josh had jumped out of his chair and pulled me into a bear hug. I could see Fiona and Zoe trapping Shannon in a three-way hug.

“Sorry, bro,” I said in a low voice when Josh pulled away.

“Why in the hell are you sorry?” He whooped. “You’ve always been my brother, now it’s going to be official!” He threw his arm over my shoulder. “Raise a glass, friends, and let’s toast to my little sister and my brother-to-be!”

Everyone at the main table paused the joyful hugging for long enough to clink glasses and drain the rest of the champagne.

“Hey, waiter,” Josh shouted with his hand cupped around his mouth. “Pour another round for everyone. We’ve got a lot to celebrate tonight!”

When all the hugs were finished and we were settled back into our seats, I leaned over to Shannon.

“Whoops,” I whispered into her ear. “Do you think they mind?”

Shannon glanced over her shoulder at her brother and Zoe, who were feeding each other small pieces of cheese and kissing.

She laughed. “I don’t think they even remember at this point.”

“Well, I can’t stop thinking about it,” I said softly. “I can’t wait for you to make me the happiest man alive.”

“I doubt I can get much happier than I am right now,” Shannon murmured, reaching out to cup my cheek.

“Try me,” I said. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making each of your days happier than the last.”

I leaned over and kissed her and knew in my heart that it was true.