doghouse and printed SHADOW over the door. A ribbon dangled from the peak of the roof with ONE DAY written across it. The rest of the items weren’t yet in position on the grate, but she’d shown him charms and embellishments of miniature sculpting tools and a motorcycle and truck that looked like his. She had pictures of him working in his studio. There was a tiny bottle with sand and shells in it, and a card from the Salty Hog to remind them of their long talk on the beach the night that had changed everything between them. She’d saved a napkin from the Taproom in Harborside and had laid out pictures from their rides. There was a selfie of them in bed taken last Saturday. In the picture, their hair was tousled, he was shirtless, and she was wearing one of his T-shirts. He was holding her from behind, kissing her neck, and she was making a funny face. They’d taken dozens of silly pictures that morning. But of all the moments she’d captured, of all the feelings she’d portrayed, there was one that had stolen his breath—a picture of their intertwined hands, his mother’s leather necklace resting on his wrist. Beside it was a picture of Reba’s hand in his, and a paper heart that had I want to hold your hand printed in Chloe’s handwriting.
She’d done him in. She saw the truth in his heart, and instead of running from his past, which represented all that she feared, she’d embraced it. He imagined years of memories seen through Chloe’s eyes hanging on their walls, framed on their bookshelves, and rooted in his heart.
He kissed her temple and said, “I love you,” for what was probably the hundredth time. He’d probably say it a hundred more before the night was through, and it still wouldn’t be enough to convey how much he adored her.
She snuggled deeper into his side and said, “I can’t stop thinking about Shadow and Sampson.”
“Me, either,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll be all right.”
They’d wanted to stop by the rescue before the fireworks, but after admiring Chloe’s artwork, they’d had just enough time to shower and get to the beach before all the good parking spots were taken. They’d called Gunner to check on the dogs, and he’d said that he, Steph, and Sidney were staying with the animals in case the noise from the fireworks scared them. The shelter was located around the corner from one of the firework celebrations.
“I keep thinking about Shadow having been chained outdoors during fireworks in the past, and now he’s locked inside. I know Dwayne, Steph, and Sid are there, but there are so many animals, and they can’t be everywhere. You have such a calming effect on Shadow, and I know Sampson is older and low key, but we don’t know how he’ll react. Would you be bummed if we went to be with them instead of watching the fireworks?”
“Man, Chloe. We really are meant for each other. I think that’s a great idea.” He kissed her and said, “I’ll make it up to you.”
“There’s nothing to make up for. We’ll still be together, and that’s all that matters.”
They packed their things, and twenty minutes later they were sitting on blankets in the visiting room of the rescue with Shadow lying between them. They’d checked on Sampson, and he’d been fine when the fireworks had started. Gunner was keeping an eye on him, and he’d texted to say Sampson was sleeping soundly. Fireworks rang out, muffled by the thick walls of the building and the soothing sounds of waves from the sound machine Justin had given Chloe the night he’d brought the beach to her back porch. On the way over, they’d stopped at the cottage to pick it up.
Chloe kissed Shadow’s head, and he rolled onto his side for belly pets. “We made the right decision,” she said as she loved him up. “Thank you.”
“I should be thanking you, hot stuff. Not many women would give up a front-row seat to fireworks to spend the evening with a dog.”
“A very special dog and his ruggedly handsome friend.”
Justin scooted closer and put his arm around her, leaving just enough room between them for Shadow. “Is it possible that I love you more now than I did half an hour ago?”
“Mm-hm,” she said with a sexy smile. “And in ten minutes, you’ll love me even more.”
Shadow made a whimpering sound and inched forward on his belly. He