Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Beckett lifted his ball cap and scratched his head again, watching his mother study Julian. Maybe as much as a minute passed as he turned the bill around and settled the cap backward on his head.
Should he intervene?
Perhaps it had been a bad call to stop by the main house first.
Whatever his mother saw must have made her happy. She pulled Julian to her again, hugging him as tightly as she’d hugged Beckett.
“It took you long enough. Our guy’s been waiting on you. Welcome to the family. Call me Mom. You eventually will, so might as well start now.” His mother said the words so quietly Beckett only heard because he was inches away from Julian.
Julian’s gaze lifted to Beckett’s, his brows arching in astonishment, making his father bark out a laugh. “She’s good at what she does. I can never figure out how she does it, but I don’t need to, I guess.”
His mom pulled away, staying close to Julian’s side as she wrapped an arm around his, happy as Beckett had ever seen her. Woofer moved to glue himself against Julian’s side, his tail whipping Beckett’s legs as his father shook Julian’s hand.
“That’s Randy and his future wife, Marly.” Beckett directed Julian’s attention to the couple hanging back to let his mom and dad greet Julian.
Julian lifted a hand, giving a bright, charming smile.
Beckett couldn’t have been prouder, his heart soaring. He circled an arm around Julian, stepping in closer. Proud to have Julian there with him.
Man, Beckett was a lucky man.
“We have dinner in the oven at your place. We felt like you’d want to get home pretty quickly,” his mother said before looking directly into Julian’s eyes. “Happiness is coming. I promise.”
“Thank you,” Julian said with patience and kindness, probably because what else did you say to something like that?
Beckett let go of Julian to slap a hand on the back of his truck. Woofer immediately executed a jump maneuver, landing safely inside the bed of the truck as Beckett swung a handout to encourage Julian back into his seat.
“Randy, stop by tomorrow so we can talk about next week’s Coronado training class. Not too early and call before you come,” Beckett said as Julian hoisted himself into the truck only to have Woofer bound from the back. His paws landed on the gravel only long enough for him to launch forward into the front seat with Julian. They all laughed, including Julian, who had a hundred-pound German shepherd sitting awkwardly in his lap.
“Down, Woofer.” Beckett’s command fell short with all the humor flowing through him. Julian stopped Woofer from complying by circling his arm around the dog to keep him in place, sitting right beside Julian in his seat.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever had anyone miss me so much. Can he ride up here? I’ll take the middle seat.” Maybe Woofer wasn’t alone in how much he missed Julian. Julian looked pretty taken with the dog. Beckett nodded, not sure his heart could hold any more love for Julian than it did right then. Once Julian and the dog got settled, Beckett shut the door, checking to ensure the latch held. He had precious cargo to protect.
Beckett mouthed a quick thank-you to his parents who nodded with big grins on their faces. Then he made eye contact with Randy as his mother reached up, stopping Beckett’s retreat to give him one of her great hugs.
“Tell him soon. He’s insecure,” she whispered.
He had no idea how she did it, but she always did. He nodded to her and started for the driver’s side of the truck.
Dusk edged out daylight quickly as Beckett pulled away from the main lodge, driving on a trail Julian swore wasn’t there. Julian stared out the front window, not seeing anything more than miles and miles of dark nothingness. No, that wasn’t true. This was Beckett’s world. The magic of the way Beckett had lovingly spoken of his home drew Julian into the mystique of this vast wilderness. He just wished he could see it a little better, but that would come soon enough.
Beckett reached an arm around his shoulders, drawing Julian closer to his side. Julian grinned, casting his gaze toward Beckett who kept his eyes focused out the windshield. Woofer readjusted his big body too, laying his head on Julian’s thigh. A glance down showed the dog looking up at Beckett too.
His family. He riffled his fingers through Woofer fur and rested his other hand on Beckett’s thigh.
The rightness of such a thought settled Julian, relaxed him into the drive. Julian was exactly where he wanted to be. Every fiber of his being rang ready to welcome the commitment he wanted to give. For the first time he could ever remember, he wanted to put down roots. Have someone to always be his plus one. And this dog waiting for them to come home. If a heart could smile, it did just then.