“Yes.”
He barely made it to his feet before she reached him.
Mathew slid the ring onto her finger, then pulled her into him like he’d been waiting his whole life to do exactly that.
Their kiss was everything he needed, wanted, and more. She was his soul mate, the woman who had been saved just for him when he was finally ready to let love back into his heart.
“I love you, Mathew,” she whispered against his lips.
His forehead rested briefly against hers. “I love you too.”
Then he smiled and kissed her once more, softer this time. “But we really do need to get going, or Jason’s going to lose his mind.”
A laugh trembled out of her.
Mathew took her hand and looked down at the ring on her finger, still hardly believing it was there.
This was what true happiness felt like. Not perfection. Just the certainty of a life with River.
EPILOGUE
RIVER
River spun the ring around her finger with her thumb. She wasn’t exactly nervous. Not really.
Too full? Too happy? Like if she didn’t keep herself grounded, she might float right off the ranch?
She wanted to tell everyone.
She wanted to hold up her hand and let the diamond catch the light so the whole wedding could see that Mathew had chosen her.
And she’d chosen him right back.
But now wasn’t the time.
Jason and Isabelle had only just said their vows. People were still cheering, music drifting through the warm air as guests mingled across the ranch.
River leaned into Mathew’s side and whispered, “I like the whole big outdoor wedding thing, but maybe we should just elope.”
He lifted her left hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “If that’s what you want, I’m in.”
Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. “Really?”
Mathew’s expression softened into something so open and certain it nearly stole her breath. “Anything you want, River. You’ve made me happier than I knew a man could be. I want to do the same for you.”
Heat rushed into her cheeks. It was strange, the way life had changed since she’d first met the serious doctor who didn’t know how to loosen up.
And yet she wouldn’t have changed a single thing.
He kissed her temple. “I need to go talk to someone. You okay for a minute?”
River nodded and gave his hand a squeeze before letting him step away.
Not even two minutes later, Penny sidled up beside her.
“You’re practically glowing,” she said. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
River stiffened and glanced at her future sister-in-law. “What? No.”
