Chapter 24

Megan

With Hunter’s dad back at work part-time, he’s been doing house calls again. I guess he’s been running around all day because he missed our lunch date but did have Jo deliver food for me. Everyone has been stopping in to see his dad at the clinic or taking turns swinging by to spend time with his mom, so she isn’t alone while his dad is at work.

While I take time to help reschedule appointments at the clinic and be there for Hunter and his dad, people finally warm up to Anna Mae, and she now has a steady stream of appointments. It has allowed me to work my chair part-time and concentrate on the business end of the shop.

I’ve looked into this hair show Anna Mae has talked about, and I think it will be good for her and Jill to do and get our name out there. I don’t think people will make the long drive out here from Dallas, but it will draw some attention with neighboring towns.

Anna Mae has fit right in at the shop and in the town. I’ve asked her if she has thought about staying, but she isn’t sure. Her husband isn’t fighting too hard on the divorce; since his secretary wound up pregnant, there’s no denying the cheating now. Another few months, and she’ll be done with him. She hasn’t opened up about any of her plans.

When I get home to the ranch, I see Hunter beat me home. I head in but only find Riley in the kitchen.

“Hey, where’s Hunter?” I ask her.

“Oh, Sage has him checking on a few cows in the pasture right here. They should be back any time.”

I get to set the table and a few minutes later, Sage and Hunter walk in.

“Hey, baby.” Hunter kisses me and takes my hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes,” I say, confused.

“We have a date tonight.” He pulls me out the door.

Hand in hand, we walk through the pasture toward our meadow where we pick wildflowers in the spring.

“Last time I took a walk this way, I found that cow in labor.”

“It was the day that started all this. You and me and that kiss. Damn, Megan, that kiss was hot as hell. I think about it every time I walk into the barn. It’s very awkward getting hard walking into the barn with your brothers around.” He laughs.

“Can’t say I’m sorry about that.” I laugh.

He smiles. “I’m not either.”

The sun is almost set, so Hunter turns the light on his phone as we cross through the trees to get to the clearing. I’m so concentrated on looking down at where I’m stepping, I don’t see the clearing right away.

When I look up, what I see takes my breath away. Along a section of trees on the side of the clearing, there are mason jars strung along the trees with candles inside, giving the whole area a mystical fairy light feeling. There’s a makeshift wood dance floor in front of the trees surrounded by rose petals. On the dance floor, the petals form a large heart.

“What did you do?” I ask in wonder as I stare at it. He takes my hand, and we walk to the middle of the dance floor, in the middle of the heart of rose petals. He pulls out his phone and a minute later, slow music starts playing.

“Dance with me?” he asks.

“Of course, I love dancing with you.”

He pulls me into his arms, and we dance through a few slow songs that seem to describe our relationship and how we feel about each other. Hunter sings each one to me as we dance. After the third song is over, he pulls back and looks into my eyes.

“Dad always said to put my money where my mouth is. Words are just words unless backed up with action. I watched him my whole life, showing Mom how he felt about her with little things. He always made time for her no matter if it was a night like this or just spending time cooking dinner together.”

He smiles and gives me a chaste kiss. “So here I am, putting my money where my mouth is. We’re amazing together, Megan. When I’m with you, I feel whole. When we’re apart, I feel like a part of me is missing. I love knowing I’m coming home to you, good or bad I don’t care. I just care that you’re there.”

He smiles then drops down on one knee. Knowing what’s coming, my eyes water. “I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how amazing we are together because there is no one I’d rather marry than my best friend. Megan, will you be my wife?”

I’m so choked up I can’t talk at first, so I just nod before croaking out, “Yes!”

The smile that crosses Hunter’s face is blinding, and he slips the perfect princess-cut ring on my finger and swoops me up into his arms for a panty-dropping kiss.

He pulls me over to a blanket laid on the ground with a picnic.

“I think I promised you dinner.”

We sit and plan the wedding and the future we’ve always wanted. Knowing I’ll get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend is a feeling beyond words.