Silence.
“I guess they hung up,” she said.
Just as well, because the opportunity of a lifetime had just fallen into her lap, and nothing in Portland compared. She stuffed the phone in her pocket and resumed her snuggle position under his arm.
Elliott covered Rebel’s hand that was resting on his chest with his and brought it to his lips to feather sweet kisses across her knuckles. “Let’s go home, baby.”
Those words were like velvet, soft and soothing and so, so right. She nodded. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
#POSITIVEREINFORCEMENT
Elliott used an index finger to part the shade in the foyer of the Remington.
His heart softened as he watched Rebel line up the veterans and their healthy service dogs under the portico for graduation day. The vets were receiving their diplomas for completing the camp, and the dogs were getting IN TRAINING vests.
Mick and Collins emerged from the great room, where Elliott and his dad had just finished closing the deal. His dad had already joined the rest of the family under the activities pavilion, but Mick and Collins had stayed behind to finish talking business.
Collins shook Elliott’s hand. “Thanks for connecting us with your firm.”
“Former firm,” Elliott corrected.
Mick’s eyes flashed, telling Elliott his old mentor still didn’t agree with his career change, but he kept a thin smile pasted on anyway.
“They’re the best in the country,” Elliott added. “You won’t be disappointed.”
“We’ve set up a conference call with your hospitality manager,” Collins said. “My company has decided to make the service dog matching camp an annual event here at the Remington. It’s great PR.”
Elliott crossed his arms. “I’ll make sure our resident dog whisperer is on the call too. Our hospitality manager can take care of the bookings, but Rebel will be in charge of this particular event.”
Collins looked contrite for not thinking of Rebel himself. He might be good at public relations, but an administrator he was not.
“Yes, well, we’ll also be booking annual team-building events for each of our departments,” Collins said, taking a step toward the front door.
“Excellent, sir.” Elliott beat him to the door and held it open. “We’ll take good care of your employees. You have my word on that.”
As soon as the door closed, Elliott parted the shades again to watch Rebel.
Mick joined him. “You’re either the dumbest SOB on the planet or the smartest.”
“I’m not the one with three ex-wives.” Elliott didn’t plan to ever have an ex-wife. Why Rebel wanted him was a mystery, but he planned to spend his life making her happy. “Whether or not my decision was smart is a no-brainer.” He decided Mick needed to lighten up. “Where’s Candy, by the way?”
“You’re an asshole,” Mick groused.
Elliott laughed. Candy had dumped Mick right after her first visit to the island and had been back several times to see Jax. Unbeknownst to Jax, he’d likely saved Mick from a fourth monthly alimony payment. Candy and Jax seemed pretty infatuated with each other, so she’d obviously done herself a favor too.
“I hope you know we’re going to do a top-shelf job managing Down Home Dog Food’s pension fund, even without you at the firm.”
“I have no doubt you will,” Elliott said. “You can fill me in on the details when you take over the account, because I plan to stay in touch. You need someone to ride your ass as a reminder to have a little fun once in a while instead of working all the time.”
Mick nodded. “If you ever decide to build time-shares or condos on Angel Fire Falls, I’ll be first in line to buy one. This little island is a hidden gem for vacationing. The firm will be booking team-building events here too. I think we need them.”
Elliott finally tore his gaze from his hot new fiancée and her sexy mane of long red hair, and he held out a hand to his friend and former colleague. “Thanks, man. I appreciate your talking the other partners into paying me back. That took guts.”
Mick didn’t just shake Elliott’s hand. He pulled Elliott into a bear hug. “Not nearly as much courage as it took to give up the kind of financial security our firm offered. I admire what you’re doing. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.”
Elliott slapped Mick on the back and returned his attention to the window to watch Rebel. “Thanks, but not a chance.”
Finished with the lineup, she smoothed both palms over the back of her blush-colored sweater and down the black leggings that covered her incredible ass. Her toned legs disappeared into classy ankle boots. It was the dressiest thing she’d worn since the day she’d arrived.
She looked fabulous. He made a mental note to show her just how fabulous later when they were alone in the cottage they’d moved into across from Spence’s.
“I have everything I need right here.” And he wasn’t planning to ever let it go.
Rebel had the graduating matches lined up and ready to walk across the stage so they could get their well-deserved awards. When Mr. Collins walked through the front door and started congratulating each pair, Rebel took the opportunity to peek over an Oregon holly shrub.
Her heart punched against her chest.
Even though the temperature had dropped substantially, every row of folding chairs under the covered pavilion was occupied. Elliott and Spence had built a makeshift stage that faced the resort so the campers could cross and receive their diplomas and vests in front of an audience.
Rem and Bogart loitered at her feet, so obviously happy to be reunited now that Bogart was fully recovered and healthy.
Her chest filled with gratitude. Against the odds and a week and a half late, the camp had still ended in success. At her insistence, Down Home Dog Food had even lined up refresher courses at the resort once a month for the next year so the campers could stay on track with their training.
The front row was reserved for the graduates, but the top brass from Down Home Dog Food filled the next two rows. Some of the graduates’ families were in attendance. The media coverage, courtesy of the reporters who were setting up on each side of the venue, had attracted a lot of attention to the resort and to her future training facility.
But what made her chest squeeze was Dan Morgan, who sat in the back row with his parents and the German shepherd–border collie mix he’d adopted from a shelter on the mainland. A week ago, she and Elliott had taken him to Cape Celeste and helped him pick out a dog. She’d made arrangements with his parents to train the new match at the resort once a week for as long as it took for them to function on their own.
Ben came thundering across the lawn with Charley’s little girl, Sophie, on his heels. “Can I help?” Even with his Asperger’s, he’d started to learn to dial down the volume around the veterans, because some of them were skittish when it came to loud noises.
“Of course.” Rebel chuckled and tugged on the community outreach badge that was pinned to his Frontier Scouts vest. The media had eaten it up that a Frontier Scout with high-functioning autism had earned a badge by helping disabled veterans at a service dog camp. “It wouldn’t be right if one of our best helpers wasn’t included. That’s why we scheduled the ceremony on the weekend instead of on a school day. You’re going to hand the diplomas to the veterans when their names are called, okay?” She bent to look Sophie in the eye. “And you, princess, are going to help me put the vests on the doggies.”
They both yipped and yayed all the way back across the lawn to rejoin the rest of the Remington family, who were greeting the guests.
Collins walked up behind her and cleared his throat, and she turned to face him.
Instantly, the crack in the shades snapped shut, and Elliott stepped outside. He hung back, but no doubt he was listening to make sure Collins behaved.
Rem darted to Elliott, Bogart hopping in his wake. When Elliott squatted to their level so they could nuzzle his neck, he lost h
is balance. He laughed and hugged them both.
Rebel’s heart doubled in size because of all the love that filled it.
Not the best behavior for trained service dogs, but that was okay. They were exactly what she and Elliott needed.
“Thank you for all you’ve done, Ms. Tate.” Collins looked uncomfortable eating crow.
She couldn’t blame him. Crow wasn’t exactly a tasty meal.
“You’ve done such an incredible job that we’d like you to head up next year’s camp as well.” Collins couldn’t meet her gaze. “Right here at the Remington.”
“Oh.” Her gaze shifted to Elliott, and he gave her an encouraging nod. “Thank you. I’d be honored.” But they needed to get a few things straight first. “We should start planning much sooner. It will help the event run smoother for the campers.”
“Understood.” Collins tried to sidestep her. “I’ll go take my seat.”
“Mr. Collins.” Rebel stopped him. “I’d like you to consider lengthening the camp and pairing the veterans with rescue dogs next time. It will be an even bigger outreach program if we’re helping both abandoned dogs and our servicemen and -women find a new purpose.”
“Excellent idea,” Collins said. “I’m ready to start planning whenever you are.”
She nodded, and Collins strolled back to the venue.
Before she could give the graduates the go-ahead to start their procession, Elliott grasped her elbow.
“Give us a second, guys,” he said to the matches as he led her inside.
Just as the door swung shut, he pulled her into his arms, consuming her mouth with a wonderful kiss that held a promise of more to come.
“What was that for?” she asked, breathless.
“It’s for being so gorgeous. So courageous.” He took her mouth with his again, kissing her senseless. “So fucking amazing,” he breathed against her lips.
Her body went up in flames. “You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
“Thank you.” His eyes softened with so much tenderness that Rebel went weak in the knees. “This event has opened up great opportunities for the resort. You’ve done a lot for our family, and that means the world to me.”
The way he referred to the Remingtons as their family and not just his made Rebel’s throat thicken.
She had a family. People who cared about her, even when she screwed up. People who would look out for her, even if she didn’t need it. People who would always be there for her no matter what.
And she had a man who loved her exactly the way she was.
She glanced toward the closed door. “Soooo.” She fiddled with a button of his dress shirt. He wasn’t wearing a suit jacket, but he’d pulled a pair of dress pants and dress shoes from his packed suitcase that was full of tailored suits, then shoved it back under their bed. “Can we pick up this conversation right after the ceremony? In our cottage?”
“Damn straight we will,” he promised. “I’ve got a few other locations where we can converse too.”
Lawrence had offered to go to Cape Celeste and get her car out of long-term parking, but Elliott had insisted he and Rebel go get it themselves. Best car ride ever, because they’d christened it while crossing the channel on the ferry.
“But I can’t keep you up too late because Trace is flying us to Portland tomorrow to pack up your apartment.” Elliott squeezed her butt cheek.
She frowned. “You said you’d be busy for weeks catching up on the stacks of work on your desk. And didn’t you say you were meeting with a few of the island’s business owners to discuss forming a coalition soon? If you’re too busy, I can go to Portland on my own.”
“Not a chance, baby.” He squeezed her ass harder. “I’m not letting you get on that ferry without me ever again,” he teased.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What if I promise to always come back?”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Then I’d reconsider.” He cupped her butt cheek again and pulled her against that rock-hard package of his. “And this would be waiting for you every time you return.”
A shiver lanced through her. “Are you trying to train me with positive reinforcement?” she asked suspiciously.
“Hell yes,” he said shamelessly.
She let her eyelashes flit downward. “Well, it’s working. I haven’t even left the island, and I’m already looking forward to coming back.”
He kissed her hard once more. Someone walked through the lobby, but they didn’t break apart because there was no place she’d rather be than right there, wrapped in his arms.
“Dudes,” Jax said. “Get a room.” He snorted. “We’re at a hotel, and you own it. Get it?”
Elliott stared at her and chuckled.
“Seriously, dudes,” Jax said. “We’re ready to roll out there.” He hooked a thumb toward the pavilion.
“Hey, Jax,” Rebel said, glancing at Elliott to read his reaction. “I was wondering if you’d like a permanent job here on the island?”
Elliott’s eyes sparkled with approval.
“Instead of being an assistant, I think you’d make a great trainer. When my new facility opens, two trainers will be even better than one.” She shrugged. “Maybe we can eventually hire a staff and an entire arsenal of trainers.”
“Whoa,” he said. “I love it here. You got a deal.” He fist-bumped her and Elliott, and then he joined the veterans outside.
The sound of graduation marching music filtered into the entryway from outside.
“That’s our cue,” she murmured against his lips. “It’s the sound of success.”
“You did that.” He tucked her hair behind one ear.
She shook her head. “We did it together. I love you, Elliott Remington.” Her voice grew croaky.
“I love you too, Future Mrs. Remington.”
Her throat closed.
The music coming from the venue might’ve been the sound of success. But Elliott’s words were the sweetest melody of all because, for her, they were the sound of forever.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, I owe my critique partner and friend, Shelly Chalmers, a debt of gratitude for helping me polish this book. I also owe my super-agent, Jill Marsal, a shout-out for her input and for helping me work through my Achilles’ heel, the all-is-lost moment, once again.
A few key people helped plot this book with me, and they are angels in my eyes: Skye Jordan, Marina Adair, Michael Hague, and my husband, Blair Alexander. Without you, this book would’ve likely been about gerbils instead of life-changing service dogs.
And of course, I’m eternally grateful to the entire Montlake Romance publishing team: my editors Megan Mulder and Melody Guy, the cover designers, the marketing department, and so many, many more. Thank you for helping make my dreams come true and for putting my stories out there for my wonderful readers to enjoy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2014 Frank Frost Photography
Shelly Alexander’s first published novel was a 2014 Golden Heart® finalist. She is an Amazon #1 bestselling author in numerous categories, including contemporary romance, contemporary women’s fiction, and romantic comedy. Shelly grew up traveling the world, earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and worked in business for twenty-five years. With four older brothers and three sons of her own, she decided to escape her male-dominated world by reading romance novels . . . and has been hooked ever since. The author of Dare Me Once, the first book in her Angel Fire Falls series, Shelly spends her days writing novels that are sometimes sweet, sometimes sizzling, and always sassy. She lives in the beautiful Southwest with her husband and toy poodle named Mozart. Visit her at www.shellyalexander.net.
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