Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)

The honking of a horn has us pulling apart. When I look over my shoulder, I see Mike and Jamie pull into the drive.

“Hey, you two. Need some help?” Jamie asks.

“This is the last one,” Liv tells her as I set her back on her feet.

“You packed up your entire house in two days?” Mike asks.

“Well, technically it was three days if you count what we did on Sunday.”

“Determined,” Jamie laughs.

“You’re damn right,” I agree.

I hear a woof and notice Mike is holding their puppy, the one I went with him to pick up. “Hey, little guy,” I say, rubbing his head.

“Oh my God! He’s so cute. The picture you showed me doesn’t do him justice. What did you name him?” Liv asks Jamie.

“Ace.”

“Aww, Dave, we need a puppy,” she says, cooing at the little furball in her brother’s arms. “Can I hold him?” Mike hands him over. The puppy settles in her arms, closing his eyes.

“He likes to snuggle,” Jamie tells her.

She looks over at me and smiles. “He’s too cute.”

“You really want one?”

She seems to think about my question before her eyes meet mine. “We talked about a dog for the kids to play with,” she says, as if it’s just the two of us.

“Kids?” Mike and Jamie ask at the same time.

“Not yet.” She shakes her head and laughs. “We’re getting there.”

I want to drop to my knees and beg her to be mine. I can run in the house and get the ring and make it official. Then we can start on those babies. But I don’t. I need it to be her dream proposal, then wedding, and then the babies. However, the dog… we can make that happen now. “We did,” I say, agreeing with her earlier statement. “We can get a dog.”

“Where did you get him?” she asks Mike.

He points to me. “This guy found him for me. They have more.” He smiles.

“Can we go?” she asks.

“Now?”

“Yes, now.” Her eyes are bright with excitement.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I scroll through my contacts until I find the number for the lady Mike bought Ace from. “Hey, Susan, this is David Harris. I was wondering if you have any puppies left?” Liv’s eyes find mine as she waits for a signal from me. “Great, can we stop by in about thirty minutes or so? My future wife fell in love with the one her brother bought.” Liv’s eyes widen when I say ‘future wife.’ It’s the first time I’ve mentioned it since she told me she was ready. “Great. We’ll see you soon.” I end the call and slide my phone back in my pocket.

“Well?” she asks.

“She has three left. One male and two females. I’m sure you heard me tell her that we would see her tonight?”

She turns to her brother and Jamie. “Sorry, but we’ve gotta go.” She hands the puppy off to Jamie and grabs my hand, pulling me toward the truck, causing us all to burst out laughing.

“Let me get this last box in the house, and then we can go.”

“Fine,” she says, reaching for the passenger door. “Hurry up.” She climbs into the cab and shuts the door.

“You’ve got your hands full with her.” Mike laughs.