Collared (Going to the Dogs) (31 page)

“That’s great,” she giggled. “I love that.”

Ian went off to talk to Callie and when she saw Caleb glance at her again, she mouthed,
I love you.

His eyes went soft, then he got pulled back into the heated conversation with the boys.

Callie sidled up to her. “You been ogling and staring. Haven’t you?”

“Do you blame me?”

“No, I don’t.”

They folded down onto the floor. Callie sighed as she took in all four of the men.

“Yeah, exactly.” Harper said.

#

When they got back home, Caleb took a shower and then went looking for Harper. He’d been thinking about what he was planning all day. When he found her on the balcony, he just took her in. She was dressed in a pair of white drawstring pants and a gauzy top, just gazing out over the City. Quinn was sitting at her feet.

His hands started to sweat, but he knew this was the right time.

He gently tugged her to the edge of the balcony as dusk settled over the city, the lights just beginning to wink on. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box.

“Harper, I’ve never been so happy in my life. I’m where I want to be every day—in your arms and in your heart. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes filled with tears and she gasped when he opened the ring box. Nestled in midnight blue velvet was a large, square-cut sapphire surrounded by diamonds. She just stared at it.

“Harper? I got the sapphire because it was different and you seemed to like them…your mother’s jewelry had a lot of them…so I thought….” She cupped the hand that was holding the ring box and he trailed off, his voice confident and full of love.

She raised her eyes to his. “I’m so overwhelmed. So happy, too. I’m exactly where I want to be—in your arms and your heart. I will definitely marry you.”

“You just made my life, princess. I love you.”

He reached for the ring and slipped it on her finger. “I love you, too, Caleb.”

Hauling in an unsteady breath, he pulled her against him and covered her mouth in a searing kiss that left them both breathing hard when he pulled away.

Then Blue trotted out onto the balcony with a bone, and when she dug into one of the planters, Caleb suddenly knew where the collar was. He walked over and dug around in her hole, felt leather, and pulled it out.

“Oh, my God!” Harper said. “She buried it.”

Later they were cuddled on the chaise. “Caleb I know exactly where I want to go on our honeymoon.”

“I don’t care as long as I’m with you.” It was true. She could go anywhere she wanted, he was just so thankful she wanted to go with him.

“Hawaii.”

“Because of Mak?” he said quietly.

She nodded. “Yes, I want to see where he came from.” Harper straddled him.

“You starting something, lady?”

“What if I am?”

“We can see what comes up.”

She laughed. “All I know,” she said, admiring her ring, “is I collared myself one hell of a detective.”

“Oh,” Caleb said softly, “I can beat that. I got me a bona fide warrior princess.” He pulled her down for a kiss and instantly was lost, but that was okay.

Harper was with him all the way.

If you’re interested in reading the other books in my romantic comedy/light mystery series Going to the Dogs they are available at all retailers:
Leashed, Book #1 Free
Groomed for Murder, Book #2
Hounded, Book #3
And my new adult contemporary mystery series A Perfect Secret is at all retailers:
A Perfect Mess #1

Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of multi-published, bestselling author Karen Anders. Karen started her career because her grandmother gave her a book to read. That book made her fall in love with romance and started her on the trek to get published. She achieved that goal in 1996 with the publication of Jennifer's Outlaw for Silhouette. Even with many books under her belt, she can't wait for that next idea, that next exquisite sentence and, of course, the next hero and heroine who fall in love.

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Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. It's been fabulous to write this book for your enjoyment.
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