“I can’t believe it. It’s a woman and her little boy. They’re new in town, and she was so excited. We’re already friends, but I’m not sure she knows it yet. You think she’ll like me? Oh, I almost forgot. Happy Thanksgiving!”
Zach answered all of her questions with another kiss. The light was back in her eyes, and somehow, that made him happier than ever. His entire life had changed when he hit his knees and gave his trust to the Lord. He saw things the way Lauren saw them now, and it made all the difference.
Still holding her, he whispered softly, “Happy Thanksgiving, angel.”
She pulled out of the embrace and grabbed his hand. “We’re going to be late. There are already a ton of vehicles at the mess hall.”
He followed her to the passenger side of the truckand kissed her sweetly once she was settled in. On his way to the other side of the truck, he shook out his tingling palms. There wasn’t anything to be nervous about, but his body hadn’t gotten the memo.
The new mess hall at Silver Falls Ranch was packed when they arrived. Many of their friends stood talking while kids chased each other around the big room. Travis was perched on his usual stool on the small stage with Ariana and a guitar on his lap. He strummed a few chords before spotting Zach and Lauren.
“They’re here. Does that mean we can eat now?” Travis said into the mic.
Tammy wiped her hands on her apron and whistled loudly enough to get everyone’s attention. “Matt is going to bless the food!”
Every head bowed and every eye closed as Matt began. “Lord, we praise You every day, but we’ve set aside today to remember our blessings. You have provided everything we need, and we humble ourselves before Your glory. Thank You for saving us from sin and giving us eternal life with You. Please bless this food to our bodies and the hands that prepared it. Help us to go into the world and spread the word about Your kingdom. All of these things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Zoe stood smiling at the end of the serving bar, wearing her usual light purple apron. She’d truly found her home at the ranch, and the same happiness that radiated from Lauren cast a glow around Zoe too.
Anthony gave Zoe’s shoulder a gentle shove as he grabbed a plate from the stack. “It smells amazing.”
Zoe clasped her hands at her chest. “I hope everyone loves it. Tammy showed mesomany cool things.”
Zach followed Anthony, Zoe, and Lauren through the line. Travis was behind him, carefully heaping food onto a plate with Ariana on his hip. Dawson and Olivia’s little dog, Betsy, sat obediently at the end of the serving line. They’d all been given strict orders not to feed her from the table, but it was tough to deny the sad puppy eyes.
Once everyone’s plates were scraped clean, Travis stepped onto the stage and slung his guitar strap over his head. “Let’s kick things off with a classic slow song.”
Zach wiped his hands on his jeans before reaching for Lauren’s. “Want to dance with me?”
Lauren’s brows lifted. “Youwant to dance?”
That was fair. He usually liked to hang around on the sidelines, but tonight, she was the star of the show. “Just one slow dance.”
She sprang up from her chair and tucked her body close to his side. “I thought you’d never ask.”
In the open space near the stage, Zach slid his arms around Lauren’s waist and pulled her close. His heart pounded in his chest as he slowly swayed to Travis’s rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Lauren’s hands slid up the sides of his neck to frame his face. “Are you okay? You seem tense.”
“I’m fine. Just…”
“Just what?”
So much for being subtle. He was going to pass out before he even started. Clasping her left hand in his, he lowered it and pulled the ring from his pocket. The simple golden band with three small diamonds was all he could afford, but it was anything but plain. Every time he looked at it, he saw a future with Lauren.
Lauren gasped and covered her mouth with a hand.
Zach lowered one shaky knee to the ground and held the ring between them. “Lauren, my life is so much better with you in it. I spend every day loving you. I want to build a home and raise a family with you by my side. Wherever you go, I’ll go.”
Lauren’s hand slowly lowered from her mouth. She finished the verses from the book of Ruth with a shaky voice. “Wherever you stay, I’ll stay.”
“Will you marry me?” he asked.
“Yes! Of course!”
Zach rose to his feet and sealed his lips to hers. He was floating on air. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but the friends around them were already cheering.
“She said yes!” Travis announced.
