“Who?”
“Jonas Richford. He’s my cowboy.” My forever.
“Okay.” She doesn’t sound enthusiastic, but I expected that. Out of all my sisters, Valentina was the one my mother lectured the most about the separation of classes. The haves versus the have-nots.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I put the call from my mind and putter around the shop making flower arrangements until it’s time to close for the day. After I lock up and step out, I’m surprised to find Jonas waiting for me.
He has a big smile on his handsome face. “Marshall and Raven came home early because they missed the kids.”
I grin back at him. “Well, isn’t that interesting?”
He nods. “I figure it’s only polite to let them have some time alone as a family before we go over there and get our things.”
“You’re right. That is polite. I suppose you and I will have to find something to do.”
“Way ahead of you, honey.” He swings open the truck door. “Get in.”
I climb in and he drives us to his ranch. “We’re not going inside?” I ask after he parks and strides toward the barn.
“Nope, not yet.”
A young ranch hand leads two saddled horses over to us. “They’re ready to go.”
Jonas nods at him, then helps me up onto the horse. I’ve ridden plenty of times but can’t say I’ve taken to being on horseback the way Raven has.
We ride out with me following his lead. The sky is kind of overcast, a hint at the storm the weather forecaster warned is on the way tomorrow.
The rhythmic sway of my horse is oddly comforting. Or maybe it’s because I’m spending time with Jonas.
As we ride, I catch the scent of freshly cut grass. March is my favorite time of the year because I feel that this month signifies new beginnings right before summer brings the heat and the endless hot nights.
We pass a pasture with wildflowers growing along the fence line. The land appears to stretch out forever.
Finally, Jonas stops his horse and dismounts. I swing down from mine, nearly falling when I accidentally trap my foot in the stirrup.
Jonas catches me before I faceplant. “Look at me being graceful,” I joke. “I’m always the clumsy one.”
“No, you’re perfect,” he corrects gently.
I look deep into the eyes of my rugged, kind cowboy and wonder how I ever thought of him as arrogant.
“I brought you out here.” He sweeps his hand wide to indicate the land. “Because it’s my favorite place. I stood here as a teenager about a year after I came to live with the Richfords. It’s where I first began to dream that my future could be different than my past.”
“It’s beautiful. Very peaceful.”
“The only thing this land needs is you. Just like I do. Am I crazy for wondering if I asked you to marry me if you’d accept?”
The significance of his question doesn’t register for a second. Then my heart pounds. I thought this man was my adversary but I was so wrong.
Jonas mistakes my silence and steps closer to take my hand in his. Vulnerability flashes in his eyes. “I understand your hesitation. I don’t know who my biological family is. I don’t know if they’re good people or not. I don’t know if health issues run in my family line. I’ll never know any of that I’m a man with unknown DNA.”
I shake my head. “Your DNA is this Texas land. It’s the Richfords. Nothing else matters.”
“Then…you’d say yes?”
“You didn’t ask.”
