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It was fitting. It was time. Everyone was gussied up and trying to behave—everyone except Zee and little Tom who couldn’t help but resist this. We’d taken turns trying to distract him, but he hated wearing a jacket in this cool October weather.

“Did you get it?” I asked the photographer. “Are we good? I think Zee is out of fucks.”

“We did,” the photographer confirmed.

And just as I turned to leave, Cole cleared his throat. I turned back, realizing he was there in the grass. It took a moment more for me to realize he was on one knee, a ring box in hand. I stared in disbelief.

“Cole, what are you doing?” I gasped.

“The thing I’ve been wanting to do for a few months,” Cole said. “But you always make it impossible.”

I blushed. “Really?”

“Let him ask the damn question!” Riley barked. “Please!”

“Fine,” I agreed, ignoring that Zee was once more eating grass with a bit on.

“Chloe Markham, you are the most wonderful, exuberant, exhausting dressage queen and you constantly frighted me with your bravery,” Cole said. “But you are also the most wonderful soul. You’ve got the biggest heart and a lot of compassion for chaos. I couldn’t imagine a life without you, baby. Would you do me the absolute favor of being my wife?”

I shook my head in disbelief. A gasp was heard across the crowd, and I realized they read it as a no.

“I’m surprised, not saying no, okay?” I turned back to a nervous, kneeling cowboy and agreed, “I would love to marry you and engage in even more chaos, Cole Hayward.”

He slid a simple band on my finger. “It’s a placeholder, okay? I wasn’t dumb enough to buy you something without help.”

“No,” Piper shouted. “I talked you out of trying, as I recall.”

I smiled and agreed, “Probably smart, but this would be great for working in the barn.”

He nodded.

I kissed Cole before everyone—including the photographer—while Zee continued to munch grass. Gone was my concern about his antics. This was my man and my happily ever after. I wasn’t about to care about what anyone else did or said. As I pulled away, I took in Cole’s happy face—the fading summer tan, smile lines I adored, ruddy salt-and-pepper hair around his temples, and neat beard, somehow the perfect mix of grey and brown. This was my person.

“Can we get just a photo of you two?” The photographer asked. “To celebrate?”

“Sure,” I agreed, “Can someone bring me a damn tissue?”

Jerry stepped forward with a tissue while Fernando took Zee away. Riley ducked in to grab Doobs as Tom erupted in a cry that I knew was about to make me have a catastrophic let down in only a matter of minutes.

“He’s just really fussy, I’m sorry!” Piper read my face.

“It’s okay,” I agreed. “Can you just hand him to me to settle? I only need… what… like a few more minutes?”

The photographer was obviously in on it but seemed intent to take some nice engagement photos. Meanwhile, I just wanted to comfort a fussy baby.

“Here,” Piper handed him off.

“If you just give me a minute to settle him, I can get back to photos,” I assured.

“Keep him,” Cole said. “For a bit. He’s part of it, too. And get in here, Piper!”

Relieved, I bopped the baby until Piper appeared. Behind the photographer, Fernando made faces and distracted him so we could get a few more photos. The rest could wait.

“Sorry about that,” I said as the photographer went to switch lenses.

“No,” Cole said. “This is perfect.”

He kissed my head and I melted. I couldn’t shake how happy I was and how much I loved this life. I also couldn’t keep this baby off the boob much longer.