I look over my shoulder to see Chris on his horse, just a few yards behind me. The man who took my pain and filled the hole inside of me with everything I never knew I could have. His love, a family, a home—safety. The only man on earth who could kick down the fence I’d built around me, and then become the fence himself. I need nothing but him now. He’s my defender, my protector, my lifeline when I can’t do it alone. I didn’t know I could love anyone at all, let alone the way I love him—I still don’t believe there’s another man breathing that even comes close to being his equal.
He catches up to me and we race to the meadow side by side. There is no winner—I don’t think fate would allow such a thing with hearts as tangled up as ours. “What is this place?” I ask in awe as I gaze over the tall grass and wildflowers.
“This, blondie—this is my thinking place. This is the closest bit of heaven I’ve found.” He takes a deep breath as he looks out across the landscape. “If you’re lucky—a doe and her fawn will wander out for a while and you’ll get to add them to the picture perfect moment while you exist here. But…if you’rereallylucky, a buck will appear. I know they aren’t stags—but I think they’re close enough.”
He dismounts and offers me his hand. I swing my leg over the saddle and step down into the grass. “What’s so special about a buck?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“It’s a sign of hope, power, a promise that you’re on the right path.” He pulls me close to his chest. We take in the scene for a little longer. The mountains in the distance, the smell of it all as a soft breeze blows through. I don’t even notice that he’s reaching in his pocket until he’s dropping to one knee.
“Boss…” I say, my voice elevating in pitch. I can hardly comprehend what’s happening. I know he promised me a tree with a new initial on it… but somehow that felt far off in the future. Maybe something that would happen eventually—but right now?
“I’ve done this once before, and damnit this will be the last time. You and me, we’re going down together, cowgirl. I never wanted to find love again—didn’t need to. I thought I had everything. A love like the one I had, only comes around once in a lifetime… but I was wrong. I fought it, I thought I was just hard up and needed to get my head on straight. But that wasn’t the truth either. I fell inlove with you the moment I saw you. Iwantedyou the moment I saw you. And I want you forever, Dixie. I want you to be my wife, a mother to my daughters—hopefully a mother to a child of our own too.”
He opens his hand, no box, just a ring. I reach down and pick it up. A gasp escapes my throat, then it closes up with emotion. I know this crystal. I trace it with my fingers as tears fall on my cheeks. It’s placed in a white gold setting, raw, in its own shape, unaltered—the magenta looks even more vibrant than I remember. “How did you get this?” I look into his eyes as he stands, towering over me.
“Before we left, while you were packing… I didn’t even try to get it out. I tapped once and the perfect piece fell into my hand.” He takes the ring from me and slides it onto my left finger.Perfect fit.“I like to think Sarah was there when I took it. Or rather, when she gave it to me.” My knees buckle, but Chris pulls me to his chest again before I fall. I can’t believe he did this. I could’ve never thought of such a thing. Imagining myself with a diamond on my finger always felt funny, if he’d asked I probably would’ve said I wanted turquoise or something else simple. But now, this is all I can see. A gift from the man who saved me and the baby I never got to love, but who I can always remember now.
“Take my name, Dixie, take it the way you’ve taken my heart.”
I push his chest enough to lift my arms around his neck and run my fingers through his hair when I say, “Yes, boss. I’ll take your name, carry your baby and I’ll take your girls too.” His mouth captures mine, the way hekisses me is unlike any other high. The way his energy seeps into me, always mending another broken piece I didn’t even know I had. I kiss him back, gripping his shirt and taking every bit of passion he’s giving.
When our kiss finally breaks, I turn my head. I can’t say how far out it is, but close enough to take whatever breath I have left, away from me—a buck stands still, staring at us. Huge chest, tall neck, antlers big enough to stretch across a wall. Too majestic to even dream of encountering—but here it is.
“I told you.” He says, in a deep gentle tone. “This is forever.”
Epilogue
Six years later
December in Montana is damn cold. Freezing at best for most days. We’ve got the Christmas tree trimmed and ready for when Addie gets here. She’s been at the University of Montana in Bozeman. It’s her first year, and she’s bringing home a boyfriend. I never paid much attention to the few she dated in high school, I knew they’d come and go. But apparently this one is serious and I don’t know how I feel about it.
Dixie flew home yesterday. She went down to Texas, to interview a new employee for the bed-and-breakfast we turned her father’s estate into. It’s been up and running for about five years. Her friend Billie manages the day-to-day things, but now and then my wife goes down to do some housekeeping and make sure things don’t get too bogged down.
Our son Jameson is four now, we call him Jamie. Heand little Jake are like brothers. I never could’ve imagined how this family puzzle would piece together. Not in a million years. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. Evolette is in her Junior year of high school and a barrel racing champion. Well, as far as Yellowstone county is concerned. The older she’s gotten, the harder she’s been to tame. But you know what they say about wild horses, wild girls are the same.
Justin and Blythe have a two-year-old little girl, they named her Claire. She’s as cute as a button and would make her namesake so proud. They’re all coming for a big dinner tonight because we haven’t seen Adelaide since August. There’s a turkey in the oven and mashed potatoes and gravy on the stove. Lythie is bringing candied yams and Evie and Jamie are making some Holidaydrink, made of cranberry juice and sprite. But I just watched Jameson dump way too many solid cranberries into the punch bowl. I chuckle when he looks up at the roof and palms his forehead.
“It’s okay buddy. We can fish some out, it looks great!” Evie tells him, then pulls a slotted spoon from the drawer.
I stride over to my wife, who’s hanging a few extra ornaments on the tree. She still rode with me and the boys for a few years and worked on the ranch until she got pregnant with Jamie—then she hung her hat up. Well, not really, she still barely lets it out of her sight. But Jameson is her entire world, and she’s loved my girls like they were her own since the beginning.
I wrap my arms around her from behind and kiss her neck. “You look good enough to eat and I’m starving,Dixie Cole…” I continue to nuzzle her neck and she almost gives in to me, but laughs and pushes me off.
“Boss! You know you can’t just start doin’ things like that! Everyone is gonna walk through that door any minute and our daughter is bringing home a man. Now I’m going to have a red neck and flushed cheeks.”
She still calls me boss. I’ll never stop her from doing it either. “Fine, blondie… but later’s going to come quick, and I have plans.” I growl in her ear, then hear the screen door smack.
“Addie!” Jamie leaps from his spot on top of the table and runs to his big sister. “I love you! I missed you!”
Addie wraps him in a hug and lifts him off the ground, spinning them both around in circles. “Jamie you little stinker! I love and miss you too!” She plants a big kiss on both of his cheeks and sets him back down on the ground. Then Evolette is hugging her and they’re both laughing with tears in their eyes.
“Dad!” She calls, as I move toward her. Damn, I missed her sweet face so much. She looks older, if that’s possible in a matter of months. I know that’s how it works with toddlers, but adult children? I think it must be the same. I pick her up and squeeze her tight like I always have.
“What took you so long, princess?” I say with a grunt as I continue to squeeze her.
“The snowstorm had I-90 shut down for an hour. I’m so glad it let up.” She sighs with relief. “Where’s Mom?”
“Right here, darlin’.” Dixie chimes, jumping up the step into the kitchen and throwing her arms around Addie.
