Chapter 17

MARY ELIZABETH’S STORY

We’d gotten home from the hospital two days ago. Getting over the injuries and the surgery was hurting like hell, but with everyone’s help I was making it. Slowly but surely I was healing.

And Cody…Cody had been my rock, my angel, my everything. He was pampering and spoiling me like crazy. He took care of Tommy just like he was his own. I wasn’t sure I’d lifted a finger since we’d gotten home. Whatever the doctor had said I needed to do, he was making sure I was doing it.

Jake had managed to finish up the shoot while I’d been in the hospital. It was all up to editing now. I was proud of the work we had all done and was excited to show it to the world.

To the world…it felt weird after all the years of hiding to not have anything to hide from anymore. The threat was gone. The fear had left the moment Cody took over my heart. But now there was nothing out there hanging over my head at all. I felt…free.

Fall was settling in on the ranch and the weather was thankfully starting to cool off once more. Summers in Texas can be brutal and I was always glad when they moved on for the year.

Today Cody was out working in the barn with Chris. The two of them had really bonded since the shooting. I knew the two of them were up to something; I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I just figured when they wanted to tell me, they’d tell me.

I had been resting, at Cody’s insistence, for most of the morning. I was feeling much better, however, and decided to carefully make my way downstairs and try my hand at making us some lunch.

I was just about to set the last plate on the table when Cody and Chris came through the back door, kicking off their boots in the mudroom. Cody rushed over, taking the plate from me and ushering me into my chair.

“Hey there, beautiful,” he said, smiling as he kissed me softly and took his seat. “We weren’t expecting you to be up. We were going to make lunch for you.”

I raised my brow in amusement as I looked across the table at Chris, a soft giggle escaping my lips. “I’m not too sure about the we part of that, baby. But I’m fine. I wanted to get up and do something.”

Chris shook his head in amusement, his trademark wide, radiant smile on his face. “I’ll have you know, little girl, that I can actually make a sandwich by myself.”

“Uh-huh,” I said, holding my ribs as I laughed.

Cody chuckled as he held my hand in his. “Well, thank you, love. We hard working men appreciate it. And I’m glad to see you feeling so much better.”

I nodded quickly as I took a bite of my soup, my lips curling into a smile. “I really am. Y’all have taken such good care of how could I not?”

I saw Cody look across the table to Chris, who subtly nodded back to him. Cody shifted slightly in his seat and nervously cleared his throat.

“Do you…do you think you’d feel up to getting out for a while tomorrow? I kind of have something I wanted to show you.” He looked at me hopefully.

“Out?” I said, furrowing my brows a bit. “Like to town?”

He shook his head, a shy smile on his lips. “No. Just out here on the ranch. Do you think that would be okay?”

My lips curled into a smile once more as I nodded softly. “I don’t think I can ride or anything yet, but yes. I would love to.”

Cody’s lips curled into his trademark grin as he gobbled the last bit of his sandwich. He stood up, leaning down and kissing me quickly.

“It’s a date then!” he said with a wink.

And with that he and Chris dashed back out the door to work…leaving me to wonder just what it was that Cody planned to show me.

CODY’S STORY

I woke up the next morning more nervous than I’d ever been. More nervous than I even was the first day I’d come here to the ranch to find Mary Beth. Today was the day…the day I was going to give her the proposal of her dreams, so we could share the wedding of her dreams with everyone we loved.

The shooting had put everything in perspective for me. There was no reason to wait. I knew what I wanted, what was right and what was meant to be. And I wanted it to happen now. It was time to celebrate our life and celebrate our life together.

I’d told Mary Beth to be ready about an hour before sundown. At the moment I was standing, bouncing from one foot to the other at the foot of the stairs waiting for her. Exactly on time she floated down the stairs in a beautiful sundress and cowboy boots.

I slipped her sweater on for her, taking care not to hurt her shoulder, before leading us out to the truck. I helped her in, carefully buckling her. I slid in behind the wheel and leaned over, kissing her softly.

“It’s a surprise, so I’m going to blindfold you okay?”

She nodded softly, a shy smile on her face as I pulled the blindfold over her eyes. I took a deep breath and put the truck in gear, headed towards the pond.

The ride was quiet. I was too nervous to say too much; afraid I would spoil the surprise. Mary Beth seemed to just be excited about whatever lay ahead. My lady did love surprises.

Soon I brought the truck to a stop, putting it in park and bounding out to help Mary Beth down. I helped her out of the truck and led her to the water’s edge. Slowly I removed the blindfold, my eyes staying only on Mary Beth.

“Surprise, love,” I whispered.

A loud gasp fell from her lips as she grabbed my hand. “Oh Cody! It’s beautiful!”

Chris and I had set up camp for us along the edge of our pond. Lights and lanterns were hung everywhere. A campfire was roaring and crackling away.

Chris had built a platform and we had put a queen size mattress on it, covering it with blankets and pillows. A place for Mary Beth and me to just stretch out under the stars.

We’d also cut down one of bigger trees on the ranch and made a bench. I led Mary Beth over to the bench as it sat at the water’s edge. She ran her fingers over the engraving Chris had done on it. I knew she had to realize it was a monogram of our initials together, but it was the date that puzzled her.

“Today’s date?” she asked as I helped her sit down.

I just nodded softly, saying no more, but kneeling down in front of her on one knee. Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped softly. I reached out and took her other hand in mine, lifting it softly to my lips.

“Mary Elizabeth Matthews McAllister, from the moment you entered my dreams I knew you were going to be something special to me. From the moment I stepped through your door I knew I would be yours forever. You were made for me to love. You are my life, my love, my forever. Without you…well, my life just wouldn’t be a life. I want to spend forever making a life and a family with you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife once more, of marrying me and promising your life to me in front of all our friends and family?”

As the last word left my lips I pulled the small black velvet box from my pocket, holding it up towards her as I flipped it open, revealing the engagement ring I had designed just for her as a perfect complement to my grandmother’s ring that already resided on her finger. I held my breath a moment as I watched the look of complete surprise on Mary Beth’s face change to one of complete and utter adoration and bliss.

She nodded quickly before reaching for me, sliding her arms tight around my neck. Her voice was warm on my skin and her happy tears caressed my cheeks.

“Yes! Oh yes, Cody!” she exclaimed, pulling back slightly and pressing her lips tenderly to mine.

I couldn’t help mine curling into a full blown grin as I released her and slid the ring on her finger, holding her hand out and taking a good look at it. I had to admit it looked even better than I’d dreamed all those times.

I whooped loudly, causing a few birds to fly out of the trees. I couldn’t help it. I was so ridiculously happy. Mary Beth giggled as she pulled me onto the bench next to her. I gathered her carefully up and sat her in my lap, holding her close.

“I don’t think it’s possible to be happier than I am right now,” I chuckled, leaning in and kissing her once more.

She leaned back, softly cupping and caressing my cheeks, her thumbs brushing over the scruff of my beard, a playful grin on her soft lips.

“Just you wait, Cody McAllister. Just you wait and see.”