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Chapter 15

I skip down the aisles of the pet store with the puppy in my arms. The worker helping me is having a bit of trouble keeping up with my hyperness. I can't help it though, I'm so excited! I stop at the collars and let out a hum. The attendant guy stops to my right and gives a relived sigh. "Okay she's very sweet but protective so I think her collar should be…"

"Black!"

"Red!"

"Spikes!"

I turn and try not to laugh as Dally, Steve, and Soda argue over the color. I shake my head and pull down a leather one with a plate on it. "Can I get out contact info in graved on this with her name?"

"Yes maam. Would there be anything else?"

I have to stop. "Let me see…we have food, bowels, toys, a bed, a collar, nail clippers, a brush, shampoo, flee and tick spray, conditioner, and dental chew sticks…Oh!" I grab a matching leather leash from the wall and smile at the attendant. He nods with a smile and takes the rest of my things to the counter where the others are waiting.

"Now what would you like engraved on the collar and leash?"

I give him our address and phone number and stop. My puppy doesn't have a name. I look down into her dark eyes and she licks my face. I laugh and hug her to me. "Annie. Her name is Annie."

Once home we set up her bed in the corner in the living room and her bowls by the back door. I hang her leash with our coats and place some of her toys in a basket by the couch. Darry sent the boys to go do something so we could have some alone time today. After making sure Annie had all she'd need, I lay on the couch with a sigh. Darry comes over with a laugh and leans over me. "Tired?"

"Uhhuh."

"Wanna go to bed or watch a movie in here?"

"Bed." I lift my arms and he picks me up with a laugh. We stayed in bed and talked, napped, and just got to know each other better all day. It was perfect. Even when the boys got back the day was perfect.

I'm cooking dinner when there is a knock at the door. "Esmeralda can you get that? I'm in the shower and the boys are out back."

I smile at Darry's voice as I open the door, whipping my hands on a dish rag. A woman is standing there in jeans and boots, her shirt tied up and her light hair down her back. "Hi can I help you?"

"Hi, yes I think you can. Are you Esmeralda Hayes?"

I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Something doesn't seem right. "And who would like to know?"

"Well I would. You see you took something of mine and I want it back."

I step back and pull the door closer to my shoulder, ready to slam it if I had too. "I don't believe I have anything of yours miss…"

"Just call me Beth. Oh you have something very valuable of mine miss Hayes."

"And what is it you think I have?"

She sneers. "You know what you have and I want it back!"

I can feel my skin tingling, crawling. My palms are sweating, the room shrinking, I feel a presence behind me and an arm come around my waist. "Is ever thing alright honey?"

Darry's warm lips place a small kiss on my temple, calming me instantly. I lean back into him and slowly takes my eyes from Beth to look up at him. If you didn't know him you'd think he just looked confused at a stranger on his doorstep. I know Darry better though. He wants to know why she's here and why she is raising her voice at me. "Yes dear, Beth here was just mistaken is all."

"I am NOT mistaken! You took something of mine."

I give a tired sigh, something that's become a habit here lately. "Listen Beth it sounds like you are implying I stole something. I have not stole anything in my entire life. What is it of yours you think I have?"

"My guitar!"

"Excuse me?"

She sighs heavily in frustration and taps her foot, arms crossed. "You stayed with my father before. He gave you a guitar. It's mine. He gave it to me when I was little and when skipped town I left it with him to remember me by, not give away to some homeless rat!"

I feel Darry stiffen behind me. "Lady you better watch what you say to my fiancé while on our doorstep. I suggest you calm down that mouth before I kick you off my property."

She takes a deep breath. "I just want my guitar back. It's the only thing he ever gave me. My father was a nice man, but a hard man. To his family at least. We had to earn everything. Our birthday and Christmas presents came from mom and other relatives. Our dad hardly gave us a hello. He wouldn't take pictures with us, never came to any of our sports events. Nothing. That guitar means a lot to me. I just want it back."

I smile at the older woman. "Excuse me please." I rush back and grab the guitar, case and all. Once back along side Darry I give it back. "Your father was very kind to me. Taught me how to play to let out my feelings. I owe him a lot. I hope one day you will see the man I got to see."

She snorts and takes the guitar, walking back to the taxi like nothing had happened. All the while I'm fighting back tears as one of the most important things in my life is carried away. Darry pulls me into the house and sits in his recliner with me on his lap, rubbing my back and placing random kisses here and there. "Fiancé huh? When'd that happen?"

I feel something cool touch my palm. I open my eyes and look down at see a beautiful silver band with a nice sized diamond. Not too big for me yet not tiny. "Darry?"

"I love you. No secret about it. You're so strong, loving, independent, smart, and so much more. There are no words, no amount of time I could use to explain just how much I love you. How much you mean to me. I want to spend the rest of our lives and beyond showing you. Esmeralda Elizabeth Hayes will you marry me?" He slips the ring on my finger while he looks up at me with a nervous and love filled face. I feel my face soften at the band on my finger, the sparkle of the stone. "You know Darry..I never would have thought I'd find someone for me. Someone who would love me. I've been on my own for so long, I'd just given up on finding a home." I look up at his saddening face. "But then I wound up in that DX Station and met Soda and Stevie. I found friends in them and everyone else. I found love in you, with you. For once Darry…I feel like I'm home. I love you, yes I'd love to marry you."

His face shine and he picks me up and spins me around with a holler before placing a long and loud kiss on my lips. I smile into the kiss as my arms wound around his neck. I'm no longer a drifter. No longer alone. No longer will I live all over. I am where I want to be. Where I belong. I am home.