“Ha. Ha. I’m so glad rodeo season starts soon so I won’t have to be here.” She pokes the tip of her tongue out at him.
I’m glad Sawyer isn’t that bratty.
Then again, it would be fun to spank him.
“Hey, Dad?” Sawyer glances at me, squeezing my thigh under the table. “Do you think while the contractor is here, we could talk about him building out on my plot, too?”
Mason’s hand stops midway to his mouth. “For your house?” His amber eyes flick between us.
“Yep.” Sawyer’s grip on my leg tightens. “We’re getting married this spring.”
We are?
As if he could read my thoughts, his gaze meets mine. “I don’t want to wait,” he murmurs.
My head tilts as I stare at him.
He generally isn’t the one to take charge.
But this time, I like it.
“I don’t either,” I admit, leaning to press my lips to his.
“Congratulations, son.” Mason’s smile is genuine.
“Wild,” Sophia exhales. “Think you’ll be a dad and a grandpa in the same year?” Her laugh cackles over all of us.
“My dad left pretty big shoes to fill as Grandpa.” Mason’s grin fades as his jaw clenches. “But I can’t wait to try.” Then he nods to Sawyer. “Absolutely. We can break ground on it as soon as it thaws.”
As we’re walking back to the truck, Sawyer loops his arm through mine, then spins me to a stop.
Chewing on his lip, he looks over my head, blinking rapidly before dropping his gaze to me. “I’m sorry I put you on the spot.”
“We’ve already talked about it, baby.” I cup his cheek tenderly. “We both know it’s going to happen, we just hadn’t picked a date.”
But then he takes a step backwards, and falls to his knees in the icy mud in front of me.
When he pulls out the tiny black box from his pocket, tears flood my vision.
“I want to do this right,” he stammers. “I love you so fucking much. I don’t know if today was a good choice to do this, but you’re my light in the dark, my hope against the pain.”
He peels the lid open to reveal the cluster of small diamonds inset into a silver ring.
His words all begin to rush together. “I made sure they were set smooth enough so they won’t catch on anything. There’s twelve to show how many months of the year I’ll worship you. I just don’t want to go another day without—”
I press my finger to the bottom of his chin, tilting his face up. “Yes, Sawyer.”
Wrapping his arms around my waist, he tucks his cheek against my belly. “I just…I just don’t want to lose you. Uncle Dixon said that Grandma and Grandpa died peacefully in their sleep.” He raises his head to look at me. “That’s what I want with you. Surrounded by our kids and grandkids, happy and together.”
“I’ve never had death sound so romantic,” I laugh. “Come on and get up. We can celebrate later.” I’m antsy to get home to reveal my own surprise.
He jumps up, mud plastering his jeans, to kiss me fiercely before we climb in the truck.
When we pull in the parking lot of the bar, there’s already a car there waiting.
“Scotty?” Sawyer parks, then hops out.
Watching him embrace my brother with a broad smile makes my heart beat faster.
