Unexpected Love (28 page)

Seventy-seven

The next morning, she awoke to find Sean staring at her.  He smiled, “I can fix you some breakfast.”

“What are you to make?”

“How about some oatmeal?”

“Oh you can fix instant oatmeal, how impressive.”

He kissed her, “You would be amazed at my talents.”

She laughed, “I already am.   Can you feed Tango too?”

As he carried her downstairs, she nuzzled his neck and kissed him.  “Keep that up and we won’t make it downstairs.”

He put her on the couch.  “Hot tea or coffee?”

“Tea, please.”

As he was walking to the kitchen he said, “Hey, I get to cook for the chef a couple of days.”

She yelled, “Take out.”

John and Sara came by late morning.  Taylor looked at her wrists were still raw and turning colors.  Sara gave her a hug.  “It’s fine.  I’m so glad you are okay.  What would Sean do without you?”

Sean smiled, “Not very well.”

John came over and gave her a hug and whispered, “Thank you.”

They spend an hour chatting and then John told Sara he was taking her home. 

Taylor looked at Sean, “They seem to be doing well.”

“John is still a little shaken up over the incident.  He and Danny never got along.  They are going to have a graveside service for him.  John said it would be short since there wasn’t a lot that could be said.  I think we should go.”

“Of course we should, when?”

“Tomorrow.” 

Maggie and Walter showed up.  Tango gave them both a big greeting and then ran over to his bed and started in on his new bone.  “At least we rated a greeting.”  Walter said dryly and Taylor chuckled.

They went out to pick up some lunch and then ate with them.  Maggie exclaimed, “I have to admit I knew you both were meant for each other, but these events are making me gray.”

Walter laughed, “Honey, I already saw gray hairs before they met.”

Taylor giggled as Maggie said, “Thanks a lot.”  She smiled at her husband.

Later Sean carried her upstairs and put her into bed.  “Want me take your clothes off?”  He gave her a mock leer.

She said primly, “I’m just fine, thank you.”

When they were lying down he spoke.  “Taylor, I’ve been thinking.  How about we have your grandparents come here for a week or two?  We can pay for the home health aide to come.  We have three bedrooms.  You can move your stuff in here, your grandparents can use your old room, and the aide can use the other room.  It will give you a chance to spend time with them.  I’d like to meet them too.”

She was quiet for a moment.  “When?”

“When you feel up to it.  Maybe in a couple of weeks.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“And since they were here, maybe we could get married.  Unless you want a big wedding, which is fine with me.”

“No, that would be perfect.  My grandparents and Maggie and Walter and Sara and John and Sargent Mayfield and Allison. Oh, and Frank and Kathy.”

The next day Sara came over to spend the day with her while Sean went to work.  Taylor protested but Sara insisted.  “I’m sorry about your brother.”

“I’m the one who should be sorry.  I should have told John.  He wasn’t too happy about that.”

Sara’s wrist were bruised and raw but her ankles were worse.  “You saved my life twice and the baby.  John and I will be forever grateful for you.”

“I have to say that my life is so different than I could even imagine.”

“Good or bad different?”

“Very, very good.”

They spent the morning talking, playing cards, and watching TV until it was time for the service.  They went together since John and Sean were going to meet them there.

The service was brief but Sara and her parents looked sad.  Taylor held Sean’s hand and when she glanced at him, he gave her a little squeeze.

Sara’s parents went home with her, John and Sean went back to work.  Taylor went home and made dinner for Sara and her family and took it to her house for them to heat.

Sara said, “Taylor, you shouldn’t have.  But, thank you.  There’s enough here to feed an army.”

Taylor laughed, “No, just your family.  Let me know if Sean and I can do anything else.”

Sara hugged her, “You both have done so much.  We love you both.  I’ll call you later.”

The next day, Maggie showed up at the door.  She saw the puzzled look on Taylor’s face.

“I called Sean to check on you and he said he was at work so I thought I would come by and see you for myself.  How are you feeling?”

Taylor gave her a smile.  “Better.”

“Good.  I told Sean I would take you for your checkup but he said he was going to do it.  I had a hard time letting him let me take you.  Besides, I need to talk to you.  Can you go with me to Walter’s clinic after your appointment?”

She shrugged, “Sure.” 

As they drove, Maggie kept up a conversation.  The checkup was quick and easy, like last time.  She was not as nervous this time even though Sean was not there.  They were just walking out when her phone rang.

Sean was calling.  “Hey, Taylor.  What did the doctor say?”

“I’m doing fine.”

“I should have been there with you.”

“It’s fine Sean.  Besides, it’s hard to argue with Maggie and win.”

“I’ll see you later.  Love you.”

“Love you too.”

When they got to the clinic, Maggie led Taylor into the back.

As they approached a kennel, Maggie looked at her, “These two puppies were left at the clinic this morning with a note taped on the door.”  She handed Taylor the note.

Please take these dogs.  Their owner died and the husband left town and left them in the house.  I cannot keep them but did not want to take them to starve or go to a shelter where they might get put down. 

Taylor gave her with a shocked look.  “I am going to take one and I thought maybe you would too.  There is a boy and a girl.  Both are puppies.  Walter thinks they are around 16 weeks old.”

Taylor bent down and looked at them.  They both stared at her with sad, worried eyes.  They were big puppies.  Maggie said Walter thought they were purebred Mastiff.  They were both a brindle color with big feet. 

Maggie opened the pen and picked up the closest one and handed him to Taylor.  “Walter said he can neuter him like he did Tango.  He already has shots.”

Taylor held him and he looked at her with wide eyes.  His coat was soft.  When he gave her a tentative kiss, her heart was lost.  She knew she was not going to be able to say no.  She just hoped Sean wouldn’t be upset.  She knew nothing about the breed.  She was going to have to look it up on the internet.

Seventy-eight

On the way home with the two dogs in the car, Taylor held her new boy in her arms.  She texted Sean.  Too late to worry if he would be upset.   

Sean, remember you love me.  Going home with cutest dog.  Tango will love him.  He was not wanted.  Can we keep him?

Taylor was worried when she got home and had not heard from Sean.  Maybe he was upset. 

She introduced him to Tango who licked him and led him over to his bed.  They both laid down together.  Not long after, they started playing and running around the living room together.  Well, at least Tango was happy having company.

She used her laptop and looked up the breed. 
Giant breed?  230 pounds or more?
  She logged off and closed the laptop.  Shaking her head, she muttered, “Better not tell Sean.  Ignorance can come in handy.”

Taylor was restless until she finally got a text back.  She picked it up and was almost afraid of what she might read.

Resistance is futile.  Love u

She smiled and went to figure out what to make for dinner.

Maggie called.  “How is the puppy doing?”

“Good.  He and Tango are friends already.  Do you know big these dogs can get?”

Maggie laughed, “Yes. “

“Well, I think I won’t tell Sean.”

“Good idea.  By the way, I called a woman who owns a pair of mastiffs and she said they only drool after drinking so she has them go outside to drink.  Then they get the drooling done and come back inside.  She says they are wonderful dogs, loyal, need socialization and attention but little exercise.  I was wondering if you wanted to go to dog obedience class with me?  The organization uses Walter’s clinic after hours for classes.”

“That would be great.  Let me know when.”

“I’ll find out when the next class is and call you later.”

When Sean came home, Taylor greeted him at the door.  She jumped into his arms and kissed him.  “Thank you, Sean.  Wait to you see him, he’s so cute.”

He kissed her and held her.  “I hope this is not going to be a habit.  You picking up stray and unwanted animals.  I have all I can handle right now.”

She laughed and led him into the living room.  The new puppy clumsily ran over when Sean bent down and said, hi. 

“He is big for a puppy, isn’t he?”  He scratched his neck and the puppy’s head tilted.  Sean laughed, “What’s his name?”

Taylor shrugged and said quietly, “I was waiting for you to come home.”

“Are we keeping with our theme?  Well, then how about Bolo?”

“Love it. And I know what Bolo means.  Be on the lookout.”

“I’m impressed.  The chef knows some police lingo.”

“Have I ever told you how smart you are?”

“Maybe you mean sucker.”

She giggled, “I promise I won’t bring any more home.”

“Sure.”  He gave her a doubting look.

“Really.  Three men in one house is all I can handle.”

After dinner, they sat to watch some TV and Bolo ran around the living room.  Tango got up and chased him.  Bolo was clumsily and lost his footing and skidded across the floor.  Taylor and Sean laughed at him.  He stopped and stared at them and then ran over as if to say ‘see what I did.’

Bolo went leaping into Sean’s lap, gave him a puppy kiss and hopped over and settled onto the couch to squeeze between them.

“See, he said thank you for keeping him.”  She was giggling at him.

“Right.  How are you feeling?”

“Better.”  He leaned over Bolo and kissed her. 

He looked at Bolo, “Don’t expect you can do this all the time.   There is no getting between me and my woman, understand?

Taylor laughed, “Your woman?”

He picked her up and carried her up the stairs.

Seventy-nine

They went to Sara and John’s house the next evening.  Sean talked with John while Taylor helped Sara learn how to cook sirloin marsala.  Sara gave her a light hug.  “John and I are so happy you are doing well.  Sean looks relaxed.”

“Thanks, I’m really much better.  Have you and John gotten over it?”

“I think so but I feel a little guilty.  He was my brother.”

“Not your fault.  It sounds like me and my mother.  I felt so guilty but I am coping with it.”

Sean came into the kitchen with John, who remarked how good dinner smelled.  Sara kissed her husband.  “Taylor showed me how to make it.”

Sean wrapped his arms around Taylor’s waist and held her hand out.  He was looking at her ring finger.  “Definitely shows other guys checking you out that you are taken.”  They all laughed.   

John spoke up.  “So, Taylor, I’ve been wanting to ask how you manage to put up with this guy.”

She smiled at him, “Oh, it’s hard, but I’m good at working with strays and wild animals so I can handle him.”

“Strays?  Wild animals?  Is there a comparison there?”  Sean spoke up.

John ignored him, “I get it.  I was sure you’d be able to tame his wild ways and get him to stop his terrible habits.”

Sean gave him a weird look, “What terrible habits?”

John shook his head and looked at her, “He doesn’t get it does he?”

Taylor giggled, “Nope.  It’s hard to see your own shortcomings.”

Sean rolled his eyes, “I’m glad you both are having fun at my expense.”

Sean kissed Taylor thoroughly and John stared.  “I have never seen you kiss someone, Sean.”

“Of course not, I’m not going to kiss you or your wife.”

They all laughed.

As dinner was cooking, Brenda pulled Taylor into her room.  “Tell me all about it.  You and Sean are engaged.”

Taylor laughed, “Yes.  I never got a chance to ask how it went with that cute guy you liked?”

She shrugged, “When I really listened to him I decided I didn’t want to get to know him.  He isn’t very nice to the nerdy kids or to anyone who doesn’t meet his standards I think.  I decided he was cute on the outside but not on the inside.”

Taylor gave her a hug, “Good for you.  A pretty girl like you can find the perfect man for you one day.  Just like I did.”

“There is a nice guy who has asked me out, but he’s got a reputation of having sex with girls he dates.  At least, that’s what someone told me.  I’m not sure if I want to go out with him.”

Taylor made a face, “Definitely not worth it then.  I can tell you from experience about that.”

“Really?”

Taylor frowned, “Yes, he convinced me and when I said no for a second round he dropped me like a hot potato.  And by the way, the first round was awful.”

“Oh.  Does Sean know about him?”

“Yes.  If I had known then what I know now he would never had gotten to first base no matter how much he said he loved me.  Which he didn’t.   I think it is important to wait for the man you want to spend the rest of your life with, who is special.  You’ll know when it’s time and he’s the one.”

“But my friends have boyfriends.”

“It doesn’t matter.  They won’t remember them when they get older.  Don’t worry, love will find you.  I didn’t use to believe that, but I do now.”

They went out to the living room and John asked, “What, are you two keeping confidences or secrets?”

“Dad, if I told you it wouldn’t be a secret.  Taylor and I were just talking.”

John looked at Taylor who just smiled at him.  She went into the kitchen to help finish dinner.

When they were eating, John looked at Sara, “Did you cook this?”

“Yes.  Taylor showed me how and I did it all.  Do you like it?”

“Like It? I may not stop eating it.  It’s fabulous, honey.”

Sara beamed.  “I’m going to learn some other things to cook too.”

When they got home, Sean walked her to the door and then said he had to get something from the truck.  He came back in with a bag that he handed to her with a grin. 

She stared at him then she opened it and found a pasta rolling machine in it.

She smiled and hugged him, “Thank you.  This is perfect.”

“Now you have the right equipment, right?”

“Yes.  Well, as you may remember, I already have access to the right equipment.”

“Yeah, I’ll show you some equipment.”  He led her into the house.

Taylor gasped when they stepped in.  The living room was a shambles.  There was shredded paper towels, garbage strewn about, one of the couch decorative pillow lay on the floor.  Both dogs were looking innocent.

She looked over at Sean.  He was staring at the mess.  “Oh no.  Sean, I am so sorry.”

He looked over at her.  “You mean you did this?  Couldn’t control yourself?  You’ve made quite a mess.”

She jumped into his arms and kissed him.  “I’ll clean up and then you can take me upstairs and show me that equipment.”

He helped her clean up.  When they were done, he looked at Bolo, “You started this, didn’t you?  No more mess, buddy.”

He grabbed Taylor and carried her up the stairs.