A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson

Author:Myra Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-11-30T19:27:43+00:00

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A relaxing afternoon with Maddie? What more could Witt have asked for? He hadn’t expected to find himself on horseback, but that had turned out okay, too. Add a picnic beneath a towering cottonwood tree, an early-summer breeze humming through the branches and an expansive view of the greening countryside spread before them...the day had been just about perfect.

He only wished he knew what had diverted Maddie’s attention for most of the afternoon. Although he thought she’d enjoyed their outing as much as he had, ever since that message had come in on her phone, she’d been distracted. Not worried, exactly, but definitely preoccupied. And maybe a tiny bit giddy?

If it had been news about Joey’s lab results, she would have told him. She had to know he was equally anxious about the old dog’s prognosis. And she’d been so open with him about other aspects of her life. What was it she didn’t feel she could tell him now?

Or maybe you two aren’t getting as close as you’d like to hope?

He didn’t really believe that, either, not the way things had been between them lately. He just needed to trust that if it was something important, she’d tell him when she felt ready.

That evening, after they’d completed chores and were sitting down to supper, Maddie’s house phone rang. She crossed to the counter to pick up the extension. Reading the caller ID, she clutched her stomach. “It’s Julia.”

When she let the phone continue to ring, Witt got up and took it from her. “Let me,” he said gently, then answered.

“Witt?” The veterinarian sounded confused. “I was trying to reach Maddie. I have Joey’s results.”

“She’s right here. But she’s a little too shaky to talk.”

“Well, you can tell her Joey’s mass was benign. No further treatment necessary.”

When he squeezed Maddie’s hand and mouthed the word benign, she sank to the floor and tearfully called the big white dog into her arms.

“Thank you, Dr. Frasier. She’s relieved beyond words.” Witt laughed as Joey showered Maddie’s face with doggy kisses and Ranger tried to get in on the act. “We all are.”

“Me, too. Joey’s a very special dog. I’m headed home to put my feet up, so tell Maddie I’ll talk to her tomorrow. And by the way,” she added, her tone mellowing, “my friends call me Julia.”

Witt’s chest warmed. So he’d won over Maddie’s hypervigilant protector. That had to be a good sign.

As he returned the phone to its base, Maddie pushed to her feet and threw her arms around him. “Thank the Lord! Thank you!”

Gasping, he fought to regain his balance before they both toppled over. Maybe it was merely her spontaneous reaction to the good news, but nothing in recent memory compared to the physical and emotional delight of holding her in this moment of celebration. When she tilted her head to smile up at him, thoughts of Joey flew from his mind, and all he could think about was kissing her.

Heart thumping, he drew a breath and leaned closer.

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