Page 160 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

“Fable Morris,” he murmured, “will you do me the honor of being mine . . . forever?”

My vision blurred as tears spilled down my cheeks.

“What?” I gasped, shaking my head.

This wasn’t what I was expecting. I wasn’t ready for this—I wasn’t even dressed for this. I was standing here in jeans and my favorite hot pink button-down work shirt, dust still on my boots.

“Now?” I choked out.

Beau laughed, his broad shoulders shaking as he squeezed my hand. “Baby, I’d marry you today if you’d let me.” His voice softened. “But whenever you’re ready.”

“Oh my God,” I whispered, more tears falling, my whole body trembling as I dropped to my knees in front of him, meeting him at his level.

“Of course I will, Beaudreau Banks.”

His breath hitched, his hand trembling slightly as he reached for me.

“I love you,” I murmured, cupping his cheek, my thumb brushing over his scruff before I kissed him—deep, slow, full of every emotion I didn’t have words for.

He kissed me back just as fiercely, his grip tightening, his body warm and solid against mine.

Slowly, he pulled away, pressing one last kiss to my forehead before slipping the ring onto my finger.

All I could do was stare at it.

Beau grinned, his eyes soft, filled with something so deep it made my chest ache.

“Now you’re mine, Cowgirl.”

The second Beau slid the ring onto my finger, a loud chorus of voices rang out⁠—

“Surprise!”

Wrigley neighed, shaking her head as our family and friends rounded the corner, filling the barn with cheers and laughter.

My eyes widened as I took them all in—Dalton, Gatlin, Harleigh, her dad, Kline, Maribel . . . everyone we loved was here. Even Nance from the coffee shop stood off to the side with Brooke from The Dive.

The first person to reach us was Beau’s dad. His rough, calloused hands gripped my shoulders as he pulled me in for a tight hug.

“I’m proud of both of you.”

Emotion clogged my throat as I hugged him back, Beau’s strong hand never leaving my waist.

Beau leaned in, his voice a soft command in my ear. “Come on, baby.”

He guided me out the barn doors and around the back, and my breath hitched at the sight before me.

A full-blown celebration.

Picnic tables covered in white and red checkered tablecloths stretched across the yard, fairy lights strung between the fence posts. A smoker sat in the corner, the scent of BBQ thick in the air. Beer coolers lined the tables, and the entire damn town looked like they had shown up.

My heart swelled, my fingers tightening around Beau’s.

“This is for us?” I whispered, still in shock.

Beau grinned, tugging me closer. “Of course.”

Before I could say another word, he kissed my cheek, his lips lingering as more people rushed forward to congratulate us, to hug us, to celebrate this moment right alongside us.