“Do you know what your problem is, Eloise?”
“I didn’t know I had a problem, Gran.” Eloise adjusted her cell phone against her ear as she reined Pixie off the country road and onto Main. Town was busy for a hot June Saturday afternoon. A couple of vehicles were parked in front of the diner, she recognized a Granger pickup, and a truck or two at the feed store. Yep, there was nothing like small-town living. Enjoying the peace, she lifted her face and let the temperate winds puff her bangs off her forehead. “My life is nothing but blue skies. Not a cloud in sight.”
“You spend way too much time helping in my garden instead of with that young man of yours. Next time you come over to weed, you bring along young Mr. Granger.”
“I might consider it.”
“I’ll make him some of my homemade lemonade. I’m pleased you found Mr. Right, but I’m bummed I didn’t find him for you.”
“Yes, sadly my blind-date fix-ups have come to an end. Forever.” Hallelujah. That wasn’t the greatest thing about being with Sean, but it was a definite perk. She’d found the best man, the very best. “Now that my blind-date days are over, whatever will you do to amuse yourself?”
“You need to ask? I’ve already got your wedding figured out. The minute he pops the question, you let me know. I’ve got a notebook started and the church hall booked.”
“Help me, Lord.” She sent the prayer heavenward. Was her grandmother ever going to stop meddling? Not that she minded, but it was the principle.
“I just want you to be happy, sweet pea.”
“I want that for you, too.” She so loved her grandmother. Pixie lifted her head, neighing in welcome at the sight of the black gelding standing in the drive-in lot where a car should be parked. Bandit lifted his nose in an answering welcome, and a cowboy moseyed into sight.
Handsome.
“Gran? I’ve got to go.”
“All right, dear. I’ll see you this evening. Don’t forget to bring that boyfriend of yours.”
“I’m making no promises.” She didn’t remember disconnecting the call or stuffing the cell into her pocket. The man beside his horse with a Stetson shading the splendor of his face commanded every shred of her attention.
“Hey there, pretty lady.” He tipped his hat, his deep baritone layered with warmth and humor. “How would you like to join me for an ice-cream cone?”
“I could be tempted.” The strong, lean lines of his cheekbones, his sparkling blue eyes and his chiseled jaw held her captive. Wow. “What is a handsome man like you doing here all alone?”
“Trying to pick up a gorgeous chick.” Humor flashed in his bright blue gaze. “Interested?”
“Very.” She slipped off the saddle and into his waiting arms, such strong arms. There was no place on earth she would rather be than enfolded against his chest, so near to him their souls felt as one.
His chin rested on the top of her head as she snuggled closer and cozy feelings left her smiling into his sun-warmed T-shirt. He smelled like summer and hay and leather. She never wanted to let go. If she could stay just like this cuddled in Sean’s strength, she would ask for nothing more.
“Guess what I did today?” His lips brushed her hair.
“Did you end up going to the sale with your uncle?”
“Sure did. I tagged along at the auction over in Sunshine. The ranch did real well selling off some of the cattle.” He paused, remembering. He was a permanent employee now and the excitement of the bidding, all the cows to check out and spending time with his uncle and cousins had been fun. But it wasn’t the highlight of his day. “Frank came on an errand with me to offer his opinion.”
“An errand? You didn’t say anything about that before.”
She leaned back in his arms, so lovely she knocked the air from his lungs, so beautiful his spirit ached with adoration. Spending time with her and opening his heart to her had been the greatest reward of his life. He was no lone wolf, never had been. He could admit it. He was a pack man, a family man, and he was proud of it. He thanked God daily for the blessing of Eloise in his life.
“It was a top-secret mission.” In the bold summer sunshine he saw another piece of his future. A little toddler clinging to her knee and a new baby in her arms. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries spent with her, years rolling by, each one better than the last. A sense of rightness filled him up until his vision blurred and all he could see was her, Eloise, the reason for his life.
“Ooh, sounds mysterious. Top secret.” She dazzled, from the inside out. “Don’t tell me you made a stop at your favorite pizza place and didn’t bring home any leftovers for me?”
“No pizza, no leftovers. It wasn’t that kind of mission.” Behind him he heard Bandit snort his opinion, as if he disapproved of the place and time, but Sean could not wait. Love overwhelmed him and his decision was made. Pixie nodded at him, as if she were saying to go for it. So, he did.
He tugged the ring out of his pocket. The gold band gleamed warmly in the light. The square-cut diamond framed by emeralds winked like a promise made to be kept. His entire spirit stilled with the importance of the moment.
“I was going to do this tonight at sunset in a field of wildflowers,” he confessed. “I hope you don’t mind we are in a parking lot, but where I am standing is where I first was bedazzled by you.”
“That’s an engagement ring.” She stared wide-eyed, surprise on her dear face. “That was your secret errand?”
“Yes. The diamond is forever, the emeralds are because they match your eyes, which are now my favorite color. You are my favorite gal.” He took in a shaky breath. Worry crinkled his forehead. Love warmed his voice, so much love. “Do you know what I see when I look at you? A porch.”
“A porch?” Fine, not what she was expecting but the adoration on his face made her pulse skip three beats. Anticipation left her breathless. “Why a porch?”
“Because on that porch I see a gray-haired couple sitting side by side on a porch swing, holding hands.”
“Are they watching the evening unfold?”
“Yes. They do that every warm summer evening, just as they’ve done every year of their married life. They are happy together.” He towered over her, stalwart and incredible and true. “You can tell how much the man adores his wife every time he looks at her.”
“That couple is us?” she asked, her eyes growing watery.
“Yes.” His eyes deepened with emotion as he cradled her hand in his. Such a gentle touch. “That is what I see when I look at you. I want to marry you. I want to raise a family with you. I want us to be that silver-haired couple happy with a life well spent adoring one another through thick and thin. With every day that passes, I promise to cherish you more. Please marry me, Eloise. I love you so much.”
“Not more than I love you.” How could she say no to that? It was every dream she’d lost, everything she’d ever wanted with the one man she treasured above all. The sun chose that moment to brighten, as if heaven were trying to spotlight the moment. She realized this is where God had been leading her all along, that He had given her more than the accident had taken away.
“Y-yes.” Happiness made the word stutter like a sob in her throat. Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked hard. Joy was too small of a word to describe her feelings. “I want to marry you more than anything and spend all my days loving you. It’s a fairy-tale ending.”
“This isn’t an ending. It’s a beginning.”
He slid the ring on her hand and his gaze locked with hers. She felt the impact all the way to her soul. She twined her hand with his, overwhelmed with emotion. Their hearts, now in synchrony, beat as one and always would. Their bond was unbreakable and everlasting.
“Hey, Eloise! Hey, Sean.” Chloe clumped up on her skates, carrying two ice-cream cones. “I was right! You guys were dating. Now you’re engaged. I so called it. Hey, a guy was just in for lunch. He’s from the next town over and he asked me if the inn was still taking in horses. Are you?”
“Absolutely.”
“I have an address. I’ll get it.” Chloe thumped off, her skates clumping on the blacktop.
Eloise saw the spark of happiness in Sean’s eyes as the sunlight caught the diamond on her left hand. Life was good, so very good. “Can you believe it? More horses to rescue.”
“Looks like our mission continues, gorgeous.” He knelt to boost her into the saddle. “Let’s go.”