Page 6 of Wishing for the Lumbersnack (Lumbersnacks of Appleridge #1)

CHAPTER SIX

Serafina

How was this possible?

To meet someone and already know they must be the one for you? For some unexplainable reason, it all clicked into place.

But that didn’t stop my fear from creeping in.

We spent the night in bed, unable to get enough of each other.

Exhausted, we fell asleep in each other’s arms and the next morning, when my alarm rang early, Deke got up with me, brewed a pot of coffee and cooked breakfast while I showered, enjoyed the meal together, and came to work to help me out.

Saturdays were his day off and I insisted he didn’t need to come as this was something I’d been doing on my own for years. Besides, I scheduled Becca to help today.

Deke wouldn’t hear of it.

After bonding with Buggie, he helped feed and water the cats, clean litter boxes, and help Becca out, leaving me free to catch up on paperwork and get through adoption meetings without interruptions.

“You were great today. Thank you.” I told Deke as we closed the shelter for the night, making sure the cats were all set until the morning.

He tucked Buggie into the crook of his arm and patted her gently, all of his loving attention given to the little kitten in his arms. “Anytime, sweetheart. How about we grab some dinner, and you can help me get Buggie settled? I also might need a thing or two settled if you catch my drift.” Deke winked and wiggled his eyebrows.

My face flushed hot, and a giddy laugh escaped from my throat. “Oh, do you?”

“I do.”

“That sounds great, but first I need to stop by my place and check on my cats. You didn’t think I had no pets, did you?”

Deke laughed. “I should’ve known. Guess Buggie will meet her new brothers and sisters soon. Considering, you’re my girlfriend.”

“Oh, I am?” I teased. “Since when did that happen?”

He grinned his most handsome grin, and I was ready to fall to my knees and worship the ground he walked on. “Since I said so a second ago. But seriously, would you be?”

“Aw, Deke. Of course.” I kissed him long and hard, Buggie meowing in protest.

“Hey, you need to share, miss Buggie. Don’t get all spoiled yet.” I rubbed under the kitten’s chin, and she purred. “Maybe you can spend the night at my place soon.”

“I’d like that,” Deke said as we walked outside together after I locked the doors. “Please tell me your place is bigger than mine.”

“Yes. I live in my parent’s cabin they left to me. Three bedrooms, wrap-around porch, a large fenced-in yard, two of the sweetest little kitties, and one lonely woman.”

Deke wrapped his free arm around my waist and tugged me into his side. “Lonely? Not anymore.”

“It’s a huge place just for me. Plus, it needs some work. I’ve thought about selling it, but it’s hard when it’s all paid off. All I pay for is the property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and the utilities.”

“Are you telling me all of this for a reason?”

“Yes, Deke. I want you to come and live with me. Make a life with me.”

“Moving a little fast there, aren’t we?” He grinned as we reached his truck and he turned to face me, Buggie still curled up in the crook of his arm.

“It’s crazy, but I don’t want to spend another night without you. I spent enough alone.”

“I feel the same, sweetheart.”

“I don’t want to go back and forth between houses, either. If we know we want to be together, then we should, right?”

Deke looked at me with admiration. “Who are you right now?”

I laughed. “This is me. The real me. You get to see it all.”

“Good. I want to see every bit.”

“So why don’t we head to my place and get Buggie set up there? Might as well have her get used to being there.”

“I’ve never been happier that I have a month-to-month lease.

” Deke said as he opened the passenger door and placed Buggie down on the seat, where he made a little bed for her with a soft blanket.

He then turned and reached for me, pulling me over to him by my hips.

He wrapped his arms around me and held on tight, inhaling my hair and neck as I melted against him, the weight of the world gone when we’re in each other’s arms.

“How it’s true I don’t know, but I love you, Serafina. I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you.”

“I love you too, Deke.”

“You’re mine, baby girl. From now until forever. I only want you.” He brought his lips to mine and fused them together, kissing me like it was the first time he had the chance.

Ten minutes later, I parked my car in my driveway, his truck directly behind me. He got the grand tour like he gave to me of his place, including meeting Mr. Beans and Lady Beans, my two black kitties I’ve had since they were kittens.

“They’re beautiful, just like their mama.”

“Can you see yourself living here?” I asked cautiously.

“I’d live in the dirt if it meant I got to live there with you, Sera.”

“How’d I get so lucky?” I beamed. “Actually, I need to thank your sister. If she didn’t tell you to get a cat, you might never have and maybe our paths would’ve never crossed but thank God they did.”

“Nah, she’ll just brag at how great she is.” Deke laughed. “I kid, I kid. She’ll love it.”

The following week, Deke moved into my place, Buggie already settled in and happily adjusted with my two kitties.

We fell into an easy routine of work during the day, nights spent together, and weekends for side projects.

Sometimes Deke would help around the shelter, filling in where he could, which was always a huge help.

But most importantly, we found time for each other.

The days and weeks passed by, and we fell deeper in love with each other every day.

How we meshed together so well was still a mystery, but it was one I never wanted to solve.

And neither did he.