Halley couldn't believe it. "You bought tickets for tonight's performance?" she asked, her voice squeaky and nervous.
"Damn straight!" he said and turned onto the road leading towards her parent's house. They'd already stopped by her cottage to get her animal family, all three of her pets were now at his house permanently. He wanted to move her stuff out, but she was resisting for some reason. The woman would be at his place every night. Why wouldn't she just move in?
"We need to get the animals," she said when she realized where he was heading.
Halley had anticipated an argument, but smiled when Mike simply turned his SUV around and headed to his house. Ten minutes later, she whistled and both Midget and Elf were bounding down the stairs through the open doorway, racing to Mike's truck and leaping into the backseat.
Halley was just about to close Mike's door when Bozo stepped primly through the opening, her tail flicking as if to say that she wasn't amused by being left out.
"Did you want to come too?" Halley asked, bending down to scratch the pretty kitty's back. In response, Bozo plopped her fanny down onto the steps, staring up at Halley.
"Okay, then you can come. But you have to come now," she said and stepped over the cat. Immediately, Bozo meowed, stopping Halley in her tracks. "Well, come on, honey."
Bozo once again flicked her tail, then bent to lick her paws. Obviously, Bozo wasn't ready to move into the vehicle just yet.
Halley sighed. "Bozo, you're being … !"
Whatever she was going to say was stopped when strong arms lifted her up. A moment later, Bozo was plunked down onto her stomach, both females being carried to Mike's truck. "Stubborn females," he said with a chuckle since both were looking unamused by his expeditious handling of the situation.
Mike just slammed the passenger door shut and walked around to the driver's side.
"You're going to have to stop doing that," Halley said, petting Bozo to soothe her ruffled fur.
Mike chuckled again. "Yeah? Think you're big enough to stop me?" he asked, but didn't wait for an answer. He started up the engine and headed out again.
Halley looked over at the man she was in love with. Yeah, he was a good guy. She loved him. A lot!
Smiling, she settled back into the soft, leather seat. "That's okay. If there's one thing I'm good at," she said, "it is training obnoxious beasts."
Mike threw back his head, laughing because, yes, many people were amazed by Halley's ability to tame wild horses. One moment, they would be bucking around, kicking fences and throwing fits. The next moment, they would be eating out of her hand, nuzzling her shoulder as if needing her gentle touch.
He felt the same way. There was just something about the woman that soothed him. He loved her. It was just that simple.
"You think you can tame me?" he asked, knowing that she'd already accomplished that miracle.
She smiled over at him and his gut tightened with that look. "I hope not," she said with a voice that … .
He ignored the dogs barking as he swerved off of the road, gravel and dust kicking up around him as he pulled her onto his lap. "Damn, I love you woman," he said, then kissed her.
When he finally allowed her to breathe, she smiled, her arms around his neck and her fingers tangled in his hair. "I love you too, Mike," she said softly, still amazed by how much she loved him.