“Boss Lady for my Cassie Boss,” he finished.
“Okay, honey,” I whispered, unable to make my voice louder.
The pup stopped licking him and started yapping.
Deacon straightened.
She stopped yapping. This was because she got what she wanted. I knew this when she started licking him again.
Deacon didn’t stop her.
And that soft, sweet cloud wrapped closer around me.
* * * * *
Two weeks later, I stood at the top of the steps of my porch, Bossy in my arms squirming, Deacon a step down, arms around both of us, making out with me.
I didn’t want it to end. Ever.
He ended it.
“Be back, soon’s I can,” he said gently.
“Okay, honey.”
“Okay.”
He touched his forehead to mine and moved one hand to my neck, fingertips back and in my hair, then he gave me a squeeze.
I drew in breath.
He let me go, scratched Bossy’s head, and she yapped.
He grinned.
I let my breath go.
His eyes came to mine and I smiled.
I kept smiling as he walked down the steps and got into his Suburban.
Bossy and I stood there as he started it up and drove down the lane, me waving, Bossy yapping.
Deacon turned right at the top of the lane.
Only then did my smile fade. I walked Bossy into the house, closing the door behind us.
I put my pup on the floor and Bossy yapped.
“He’ll be back, darlin’.”
She yapped again, unhappy.
She was not alone.
But he would be back.
And one day, one day I hoped was soon, he’d be back in a way he’d never leave.