Page 66 of Falling for the Maverick

He sat, hat in hand, waiting, then he popped up when Michelle walked in.

* * *

Michelle did not want to believe Lucas had come to her home to see her. It was apparent he hadn’t been sleeping well. His face was gaunt, and there were dark circles under his beautiful eyes.

“How are you?”

Lucas closed his eyes, as if he were savoring the timbre of her voice. “I’ve been better.”

Michelle passed by him, sat on a chair and gestured toward the sofa. “Please sit down.” A beat passed. “Why are you here?”

“I came because I need to tell you something.”

She nodded. “I’m listening.”

“I’m here to tell you that I haven’t been honest with you or myself. There’s nothing casual about my feelings for you, even though I know you may not feel the same about me.” Lucas paused. “I believed I was content to live out my life as a bachelor with dogs and horses until I saw you for the first time. I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. Seeing you made it difficult to breathe normally. Then when you opened your mouth to say hello, I knew I’d never forget the sound of your voice. I fell in love with you then, and I love you even more now. That was before we even slept together. Michelle, I want to stop hiding and be with you openly. Not just now but every year of your life. But only if you’re willing to share it with me.”

Michelle clapped a hand over her mouth. Were her dreams finally coming true? She lowered her hand. “Are you saying you’re not going to be a part-time boyfriend?”

“I know I must prioritize things in my life, and that’s going to take time. What I need is for you to have patience with me.”

“How much patience, Lucas?”

“A lot of patience. It’s only been my dog and horses, but now…they’re not enough. When I’m tied up with other things I don’t want you to think I’m not there for you. You have no idea how much I need you.”

“You need me?”

Lucas smiled, nodding. “Yes, because I can’t imagine my future without you in it. Not only am I committed to you, but I also love you, enough to want to make you my wife.”

“Are you proposing to me, Lucas?”

“Yes, I am, Michelle Corey. I’m asking you if you would consider marrying me.”

Michelle struggled not to cry. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Lucas was not only willing to commit to them being together, but he wanted them to marry. “Yes, Lucas. I do want that because I love you, too. And yes, I will marry you.” She was suddenly in his arms, unsure who initiated the kiss. “Please don’t move,” she said quietly. “I know this is going to come as a shock to my mother because she had no idea that we were seeing each other. Now I need to inform my mother about our relationship.”

“Before you go and say anything to her, I’d like to know if you would come home with me tonight.”

“I’ll come tonight, tomorrow and all the nights after that. Now I must let my mother know I’ll be spending a lot of days and nights at the Big Doggo. And she’ll get to claim another son when she becomes the mother of the bride.”

* * *

Lucas paced the length of the room, waiting for Michelle to return. She didn’t know he was willing to beg and even grovel for her to take him back. He loved her just that much.

He halted as Michelle entered with her mother, holding a large, quilted bag.

Patty smiled and held out her arms. “I can’t believe I’m going to get another son.”

Lucas hugged Patty and kissed her cheek. “You don’t have to worry about your daughter,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll protect her with my life. Not only do I love her, but I also want to marry her.”

Patty nodded. “I know you will protect her. Now take her home with you, so I can lock up and go to bed. At my age I need all the sleep I can get.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, Mom.”

“No, you won’t. It’s time for you to get up and practice making breakfast for your soon-to-be fiancé.”

“You’re mother’s right. After I finish doing chores, we have to go and get you a ring. And I know just the place where you can find something you’ll really like. It’s in Bronco Heights, where Daniel bought Brittany’s rings.”

“After I settle in, I’ll bring Marmalade to the ranch to live with us. You’ll never have to worry about mice again.”