Page 15 of Proof

“We were about to give Duke a tour,” Cullen said.

“Excellent. I’m going to attempt to learn a new software program. Enjoy!” Ellie walked over to the large staircase that led to the second floor of the gallery, with Ziggy and Marley wagging their tails behind her.

“Seems like a nice lady,” Duke remarked. “She single?”

Luna almost spit. Now that would be a very interesting matchup. “Sorry, Duke, she’s taken.”

“A lawyer,” Cullen added. “You don’t want to mess with those types,” he joked.

“You got that right, sonny boy.” Duke reinserted Chi-Chi’s arm through his. “And what about you, pretty lady?”

“She’s mine.” Cullen made the official announcement. Very much to his own surprise. Then his hands began to sweat as he worried what Chi-Chi might think of this little outburst.

“Well, lookie here.” Duke stopped and turned. “If anyone deserves someone as magnificent as this lady, I suppose it’s you, Cullen Bodman.”

“Glad you approve.” Cullen’s face was flushed. He looked over at Chi-Chi, who had the biggest smile on her face.

“It is true, Mr. Duke. We are together.” Chi-Chi gave Cullen a sideways glance and smile of approval.

“I guess that leaves you and me, Luna.” Duke was kidding, but his comment prompted Luna to add her own status.

“Sorry. I’m going steady.” She dangled the ring that hung around her neck. “To a U.S. Marshal.”

“Huh. A U.S. Marshal, eh?”

“Yep. Who woulda thunk it?” Luna cackled.

“Well, surely not me. You were always a bit of a rascal.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Cullen added. Luna elbowed him in the ribs. “See? She’s still a rascal.”

“Well maybe one of y’all can have those grandbabies for me.” Duke laughed. Chi-Chi, Luna, and Cullen froze.

Once they regained their composure, the quartet roamed past the patio and the grounds behind the center as Luna pointed out the highlights.

“A dog park? Whaddya know.” Duke was still in awe of everything he was experiencing. “This is kinda like Disney for grownups. And dogs.”

They meandered back to the interior of the center. “This is fan-tas-tic.” Duke enunciated each syllable. “I understand why you’d wanna work here.”

“That’s the best part. It doesn’t feel like work.” Cullen grinned. “Especially when you’re surrounded by special people.”

“Thank you, bro,” Luna chimed in.

“Yeah, you too, I guess,” he teased, and got another elbow in the ribs. “Keep it up and you will be on my no-fly list.”

“Ha.” She gave him a smack on the arm with the back of her hand.

“And this is what I have to put up with every single day.” Cullen pretended to be serious.

Luna jerked her thumb in Cullen’s direction. “Me, too.”

The group made their way to the workshop and the back entrance. Cullen put his hands over Luna’s eyes.

“What are you doing?” she protested.

“Just be quiet for a second. Can you do that?” Cullen clasped her forehead. He helped maneuver her to the door and then released his grip.

Luna looked down at the flatbed part of the truck. “Oh, my goodness!” she squealed. “My old dresser!” She jumped down from the loading dock and climbed into the back of the truck.

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