Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 382

"That's a pretty accurate comparison," Lawrence noted, shifting his grip beneath her knees to adjust her weight. "But you won't find a carrying pole as handsome as me anywhere else in the world."

Bonnie rolled her eyes and deliberately angled the umbrella down to block his view. Forced to look only at the path directly beneath his feet, Lawrence walked a few steps before calling out helplessly, "Candie."

"What?"

"If we fall, whether forward or backward, I won't be the one getting hurt," he teased.

Bonnie thought about it. It was true—she'd either crush her dog or end up acting as a human cushion for Lawrence. Neither option sounded appealing.

She raised the umbrella again, giving him a clear view so he could walk more steadily. Lawrence wanted to slow down and savor the moment, but he was worried the trail would become too treacherous if the downpour worsened, so he kept a brisk pace.

Noticing his steady breathing and surefooted strides, Bonnie felt a twinge of envy at his physical stamina.

Then again, if he hadn't been in peak physical condition, he probably wouldn't have survived that car crash.

Unconsciously, she wrapped her arms a little tighter around his neck. The umbrella shielded her from behind, but stray raindrops still hit Lawrence's glasses and June's little head.

With a small smile, she adjusted the umbrella to cover him better.

The rainy mountain was both peaceful and noisy. Neither of them spoke. By the time they reached the halfway point, the rain was coming down in sheets. Lawrence quickened his pace, his grip never slackening as he carried her safely down the trail.

Once they reached an easier stretch of the path, he finally set Bonnie down. He took the umbrella from her, naturally grabbed her hand, and led her toward the parking lot.

Keeping the umbrella angled to protect Bonnie and June as much as possible, Lawrence ended up soaking half his own body.

Aside from a few damp spots on her sleeves, Bonnie was practically dry. The moment they got into the car, she pulled a few tissues from the console and leaned over to dry his damp bangs.

Her lips were pursed in soft concentration.

Having her so close turned Lawrence's heart into a puddle of mush. He reached up, gently ruffling her hair. "Candie."

Her tone lifted slightly in a questioning hum.

Lawrence dipped his head, pressing the softest, lightest kiss to the crown of her hair. His lips barely made contact before he nuzzled her gently with his nose.

Since returning to Oasinia, he hadn't been staying at his parents' place. Aside from the occasional dinner with them, he lived at The Observatory. After getting home, he unpacked, grabbed a quick bite, and connected his phone to the photo printer.

He had taken a lot of pictures today. From the moment they started their hike, he had been snapping away—Bonnie admiring the view, Bonnie laughing, Bonnie snacking to regain her energy, Bonnie squatting on the trail trying to catch her breath, Bonnie playing with June. He had captured it all.

There were a few she had insisted on deleting, but he had quietly restored them from the trash folder.

They were gorgeous, after all.

The printer whirred continuously. Lawrence picked out a few of their best photos together and placed them in frames, slipping the rest into an album.

He set the framed pictures on the TV console alongside the older ones.

So many of their shared memories had been erased, leaving only these precious treasures that Bonnie had once thrown away and he had luckily managed to recover.

That made these new ones all the more precious.

Lawrence picked June up, holding her front paws as he pointed at the framed photo of a radiant Bonnie shrinking away from his kiss with a laugh. "June," he said softly, "that's Mommy. Let's work together to win her back, okay?"