“Adam.” Phoebe stood, and hesitated yet again as he turned to leave. Leaps of faith could be so terribly hard.
He waited at the door, his back to her. “Take care, Phoebe.”
She grasped desperately for something to bridge the gap. “Don’t you want to name the puppy?”
“I don’t have practice at naming puppies.”
“So it’s time you started.” Grabbing his hand, she drew him around to face her. “Naming puppies gets you ready for naming—” her courage faltered “—other creatures.”
The smile returned to Adam’s eyes. “You mean cats?”
“Cats.” She nodded gratefully. “Horses.”
“Fish, maybe.”
“People do name fish.” She managed a grin and a decent breath. “No birds, though. I don’t like birds in the house.”
“Kids?” he asked, trying to look innocent.
“You mean goats? We could name goats.” He lifted an eyebrow and Phoebe closed the physical distance between them. “Or we could name those children you mentioned, once upon a time.”
His arms slipped around her waist. “Children mean marriage.”
“Yes.” He waited, and she clarified her words. “Yes, that’s what children mean. And, yes to your lovely proposal.”
Adam squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, trying to keep his balance in a world gone suddenly crazy with joy. He hadn’t expected this when he came to see her today. Hadn’t dared hope.
“We’ll make it work,” he promised, looking into her face, her sweet gray eyes. “I won’t demand you give up this for me.” He waved an arm to encompass the farm, the animals, the peace they both found here. “You don’t have to be Kellie Tate, or my mother. You don’t have to lead the community—that’s my job. I want you to be just what you are. Phoebe Moss, the love and light of my life.” Adam couldn’t repress a chuckle. “It’s a good thing you taught me how to manage those Ls.”
“Especially since I expect you to use the L-word frequently.”
“L-lust?” He mocked his own stutter.
“That’s one of them.
“Ah.” The teasing was fun, but he wanted…needed…to be sure. “I love you, Phoebe Moss.”
She nestled against his chest. “I wish there was a variation that meant as much or more. But it’s really very simple, isn’t it? I love you, too. And we will make it work. Together.” When she lifted her face to his, Adam was ready with his kiss.
In the corner of the couch, the puppy stirred, poked his head up and yipped. Adam parted his mouth slowly from Phoebe’s. “Sounds like he wants dinner.”
“Children are so demanding.” She kissed his chin, and the corner of his mouth…and they nearly forgot about the puppy again, who growled this time, reminding them of his presence.
“Okay. Okay.” Adam walked over and picked up the handful of fur. “He can’t be very old. Do you think he’ll get big?”
Phoebe put a finger under the puppy’s chin. “His face looks like a shepherd mix. We’ll have to get him fed and healthy to be sure.” She stared into the blue eyes, bright now with trust. “I’m going to name you…”
“Bo.”
“Bo?” She took the puppy out of his hands. “What kind of name is Bo?”
“Spot?”
“He doesn’t have any spots.”
“Fido.”
Phoebe shook her head in disgust. “You, sir, have no romance in your soul.”
Adam pulled her back into his arms, dog and all. “Yes, ma’am, I most certainly do.” He let his mouth hover a breath away from hers. “Because I have you.”
ISBN: 978-1-4592-3650-9
THE LAST HONEST MAN
Copyright © 2003 by Cheryl B. Bacon.
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