Page 53 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Liam snuggled up to Stone. “I am.”

His world was finally right. He had Liam. Champ was getting better and growing. Stone could deal with the issues from Liam’s career. He couldn’t stop the momentum between them. Love had won.

* * * *

Liam finished cleaning the stall along the back of the blue room. He replaced the blanket and cot, then allowed Tank into the space.

“There you go, guy. All clean.” He petted the bulldog. “I have a feeling you’re going to be adopted today.” He’d spent the last two weeks dodging the media and keeping his head low. He’d read the scripts sent to him, but he preferred being at the shelter with Stone. They had a great working relationship and an even better romantic one. He didn’t miss the rental house or his place in California. Soon enough, he’d return to his home state to retrieve his things. Just not yet.

Why leave when he could spend his days at the shelter, his evenings writing and each night with Stone?

Life couldn’t be better.

“Excuse me?” A woman stood outside Tank’s enclosure. “Are you in charge?”

“I’m not, but my partner, Stone, is.” He loved saying ‘partner’. He wiped his hands on the towel, then left the enclosure. “I’d shake hands, but I’ve been cleaning.”

“No problem.” She knelt in front of the pen. “I’ve been drawn to this guy since I walked in. He’s so lumpy and adorable.”

“Why don’t you walk him in the fence? I’ll get a leash.” Liam grabbed one of the leashes. “I’ll go with you.” He couldn’t let her be alone with the dog because he didn’t know her.

“Thanks.” She walked Tank to the gated area. Once in the grass, she knelt with him. “You’re a handsome boy, aren’t you?”

“He’s great on the leash and house-trained. He knows the words ‘sit’ and ‘come’. He loves to ride in the car, too. Do you have children?” Liam asked. “He can be rambunctious, but he’s good with kids.”

“I want a dog to be my partner and my kid.” She stood and scratched Tank behind the ears. “Do I see Stone about the paperwork?”

“Yes. He’ll handle it.” He grinned because Tank was about to be adopted, but a twinge started in his chest because he hated to see the big guy leave.

“I’d like to talk to you, first. I’m guessing you don’t recognize me or you would’ve said something by now.” She tipped her head and smiled. “I’m Laurie Russell from Rainbow Films. The owner.”

He didn’t know her right off, but he knew the name of the company. “Hello. I’m Liam Blackwell. I’m glad to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” she said. “I heard you’d left Hollywood and since you didn’t return my emails since you signed the contracts, I thought I’d come to Cedarwood to find you. I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t have fallen in love with this handsome guy or realized the beauty of this state.”

“I needed a break.” The time away from the business wasn’t long, but it was working the way he wanted. “My last project fell through, so I’ve got extra time.” Like the rest of his life if he so chose. “I thought I’d stay here and live for a while.”

“I’m impressed. I never thought you’d have the patience to work in this capacity,” she said. “I’m also impressed you came out. I didn’t think you would.”

“Love was a good motivator.”

“I’m sure.” She held on to Tank’s leash. “I have to confess, you’re probably the only one in Hollywood who didn’t know you were gay before you came out.”

“So I’m told.” The tips of his ears burned. “But I’m fine with the outcome.”

“I heard you dumped your publicist.” She narrowed her eyes. “Mind if I ask why?”

He shrugged. “She wasn’t cool with how I came out and that I wanted to stay here in Ohio. She thought I should’ve kept quiet until the farmer movie wrapped, then come out and use it as publicity. I don’t play that way.”

“Fans tend to feel shafted when artists and actors use their private lives to promote an upcoming work. Like it’s a publicity stunt.” She nodded. “I can assume you wouldn’t do that kind of stuff to get attention.”

“I didn’t come out because it was in vogue.” He kicked at a clump of grass. “If you’d have asked me five years ago, I might have considered it. But this town brought out something in me that’s been there all along…just buried. I like this version of me because it feels more authentic.”

“Authenticity is good.” Laurie smiled and fiddled with the leash. “In the spirit of authenticity and honesty, I also have to confess I hadn’t come here looking for a pet. I thought I’d play with a dog and fulfill my reasoning for being in Cedarwood, then go.”

“Oh.”Well, shit.He’d thought he’d found a home for Tank. So much for his instincts with matching pets to people.

“But I’m enchanted with Tank. I can’t leave him behind,” Laurie said. “Is that nuts? I’ve known him all of ten minutes and I’m in love.”

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