Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“You know, I heard congratulations are in order,” Wade said.
Peyton had left to go into the kitchen.
“Congratulations?”
Wade frowned and looked at him. “You do know what Frances is telling everyone, don’t you?”
Shae hadn’t even taken a trip into town. He ended up sending Leah and Peyton to load up on food and supplies, as the work at the ranch dominated his time.
Shae winced. “What is Frances telling everyone?”
“Uh, I don’t think it’s my—”
“For fuck’s sake, Wade, you are the one that brought it up, so why don’t you cut the bullshit and just tell me?”
His friend looked at him and clearly knew not to play around, as he held his free hand up. “Fine, fine, but don’t shoot the messenger.”
Shae ignored him and instead went straight to the kitchen, where he found his woman, alone. It looked like the turkeys had already come out of the oven and were standing under some aluminum foil.
“Hey,” he said, moving closer to her.
She looked up and offered him a smile. She glanced over his shoulder toward everyone. This was not the most ideal of situations as he didn’t want witnesses. Thankfully, their friends would know to look the other way.
“We need to talk,” he said.
“I know.” She rubbed her temple. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, and the truth is, I don’t know how to tell you.”
Shae saw the fear in her eyes. This was the best time.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he sunk to his knees and opened the small red box he had kept his mother’s ring in. His father had given it to him, just as his grandfather had given it to his father. The Marino line had an heirloom, and seeing as none of his line ever got divorced, the ring forever stayed. When the time was right, and if he had a son, the ring would go to him.
“Marry me, Peyton. Marry me and make me the happiest man in the fucking world, because ... I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for a long damn time, and I’m done pretending this is nothing more than two people enjoying each other. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Her eyes had gone wide, and he even saw the glisten of tears as she stared right back at him in shock.
“I’m pregnant,” she said.
“I know.”
“You’re—”
“Happy. So fucking happy. There’s nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you. Fill this house with kids, and make memories.”
“I love you,” Peyton said. “I really do.”
“So, is that a yes?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s a yes.”
He took the ring out of the box and slid it right onto her finger, and lo and behold it was a perfect fit. Getting to his feet, he cupped her face and kissed her. Behind him, he heard the applause, but he didn’t give a shit that they were clapping their hands and congratulating them.
There was only one person he was interested in, and she was in his arms, and he looked into her eyes. The smile on her lips was the one he had dreamed about for what felt like a lifetime.
“Am I dreaming?” she asked.
“I hope not, but you know what, let’s not wake up from this dream.”
“Shae, anyone ever tell you, you’re a romantic?” she asked.
“They wouldn’t fucking dare.”
And then he kissed her, but this time they didn’t get chance to just enjoy one another, as their guests took it upon themselves to come and congratulate them. Wade shook his hand, along with Hank, and several of his men. Peyton was swallowed up by the women, hugging her, and seeing the engagement ring.
That was his woman. And he was going to fucking cherish her for the rest of his life.
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Peyton stepped back from the ranch and placed her hands at the base of her back. The fairy lights looked so freaking cute, as it followed the structure of the main door.
Moving one hand from her back to her stomach, she rubbed at her and Shae’s sixth child, which had decided to turn her insides into a ball that she loved to kick.
“Easy, sweetheart,” she said.
Ten years of being a Marino wife, learning the ranching way, but also the life Shae had inherited. He took care of the town of Fort in more ways than anyone ever realized. Not only did he take care of any threat, he also invested in the town. He was there for any stores that hit troubled times, attempting to fix them. Also, when big business came calling, in the hope of sweeping in and taking over the small businesses, Shae was there to keep them at bay. He would not allow anyone to ruin the town of Fort and make it a ghost town. If the locals wished to go to the mall or elsewhere, they could. However, Fort liked the way things were, and he set about keeping them that way. He did what the townspeople wanted him to do. Yes, he did some bad things, and she knew of them firsthand. Did it make her think of him any differently? No.