But my disagreement on that doesn’t faze him. If anything, it makes him more tenacious to give me everything. All I can do is love him, and lucky for me, that’s the easiest thing in my world. Supporting him. Cheering for him. We’re a team in every way that matters. Even on my mornings off, when he demands I stay in bed and sleep, but all I want to do is get my hands dirty with him. Feed the cattle, take Dutton for a ride through the back woods, and even something as unappealing as hauling feed and managing manure.
With Stetson, I’m up for anything. Reminds me a bit of the simple life he shared that his parents enjoyed together throughout their marriage.
I even managed to get Aunt Marge to help me find Stetson’s mom’s old recipe book. On the weekends I’m not flying, I destroy the kitchen and bake her blueberry muffinsfor Stetson and the crew while they work, along with her famous peach tea.
I love being a part of the home Stetson once shared with two people he loves. And as sad as I am to never have met them, I feel like they’re here, in a way. I get to hear stories and traditions, seeing their character shine through my fiancé.
I surprised myself more than I thought, taking a liking to the ranch tasks. My favorite mama cow, Nellie girl, and I have become quite the pair. Since she and little Millie were separated to create new bonds—although still at Coleson—Nellie shows up at the east pasture fence every morning around sunrise for a special treat.
We did need to revamp parts of my wardrobe with ranch-appropriate clothing and muck boots, but my Louboutins will see the light of day as often as possible. I know it, and Stetson sure as hell knows it, too.
“It’s officially official now, huh?”
“Yeah, baby. It is. I can’t help but hope my mom and pops are looking down on me now. I think they’d be proud of the man I’ve become. It only took turning fifty for me to figure my shit out.”
“I don’t think they would have trusted you with their legacy if they believed you couldn’t do it,” I tell him honestly.
I glance down at the diamond ring on my finger, my heart still not catching up to my beautiful reality. Stetson gave me no longer than two whole weeks to settle before proposing to me in the middle of the wildflower field. A field blooming in a way that represents so much of our love story. It’s healthy, strong, and founded on bones that were built to last.
To say I was shocked is an understatement. I’m not sure how I missed the wildflowers when I was here for hisbirthday, but evidently, he and Clay have been working endlessly to make Coleson Ranch homey and inviting for me to join him.
Much before Clay even knew about us, I’m sure. But little do they know, it felt like my home well before the flowers.
The Cartier engagement ring might be Stetson’s most expensive investment, but it represents a meaning much deeper to me than diamonds and appraisal value.
Originally, Stetson’s plan was to preserve his mother’s wedding ring entirely, but due to the age of the gold, it made more sense to remove Ms. Cole’s diamonds and add them directly to my set. The art deco marquise diamond is surrounded by the smaller diamonds that made up the band of Stetson’s mother’s in a halo style. Two large diamonds are set on each side of the halo, completing it perfectly. It represents family and the continuation of the Cole last name. A timeless gift from the woman who raised the man I love
It’s exquisite. And the physical reminder that I’m getting married.
I’m. Getting. Married.
“Stetson!” Mom’s voice calls from inside the house, lifting the kitchen window so we can see her. “When were you gonna tell me?”
He looks at me with a mischievous grin. “What is she talking about?” I mumble, noting my mom’s surprise.
“The butler’s pantry,” he says slyly, and I’m still not following.
“What about it?”
Stetson directs his attention to my mom, but not before kissing the side of my head almost as a silent ‘just wait and see.’
“Whatever do you mean, Camille?” he implores.
“Don’t play stupid with me, Stetson Cole. The tears hit me so fast, David thought I discovered a dead body.”
“Someone wanna stop using vague words and tell me what’s going on?” I ask, growing impatient.
“Your mother found Stetson’s hidden cabinet,” David, Mom’sboyfriendsays, exiting the house and joining us on the porch. He’s got a platter of well-decorated cannoli in one hand and a kettle of coffee in the other, Stetson’s focus homing in on them right away.
“Ah!” I quip, waving my hand in front of David as he approaches. “No treats until he spills the beans.”
David smirks. “I’m not sure he ever had any intention to spill them, darling. Who knew you could have a cabinet within a cabinet?”
My head jerks toward my fiancé. “I’ve never seen a cabinet in a cabinet. In the butler’s pantry?”
Stetson just smiles, not at all fazed by the fact that he was caught. “Never looked hard enough.”
Mom takes this moment to exit the house, flour smeared across her face from early morning baking. Speaking of baking, she’s making cacio e pepe for dinner, and I’m starving just thinking about it. When I think she’ll come outside carrying on the roll of hounding she started inside, she surprises me by walking in front of Stetson and stopping.
