Page 64 of That Kiss

“No, you don’t, kiddo.” Ron walks through the back office door. “Go enjoy your afternoon.”

“Dad?” Juniper spins around. “What are you doing here? I thought Mom said you two were heading to Denver earlier to hang out with friends.”

“Plans were rescheduled for next week—something about one of their grandkids having a performance. You go on and have fun. I’ve got nothing else to do besides bug your mother, so I figured, why not give you a hand?”

She glances at me. “Okay, I guess I can’t argue with that. Let me just grab my purse. Thank you, Dad!” She gives him a quick hug before retrieving her purse.

“You two have a good afternoon.” Ron flashes me a wink when Juney turns away from him.

“Will do, sir.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Juney asks me.

“You’re just gonna have to be surprised.” I flash her a flirty smile as we pull out of the parking lot and head back toward the ranch.

Once we park, I take her hand and lead her over to the barn where my horse Clementine is waiting for us.

“You’re taking me out on Clem?” She whistles. “Damn, you must be pretty serious about me if you’re letting me ride her. I know how protective you are.”

“I’ve let you ride her before.” I adjust her saddle, making sure it’s secure before positioning Juniper by her side to mount her.

“Yeah, once when I thought I broke my ankle when we were all fly-fishing.”

“Exactly,” I hoist myself up behind her, reaching around to hold the reins, “and she brought you safely back down the mountain, where we found out you’d just twisted it and were being dramatic,” I tease her.

Once behind her, I take the opportunity to plant a few stolen kisses on her neck as we slowly make our way through the fields and to the trail that will take us to the small overlook where I’ve planned an evening picnic.

“This is so beautiful,” she gasps when we arrive and descend from Clementine. I secure her to a tree, pulling out the apple and carrots I brought for her. “Who knew Decker Slade was a romantic?”

I spread out the blanket and open up the basket, pulling out the bottle of wine and various meats, cheeses, and salads I picked up.

“Well, if we’re being honest, I’m not sure I have been much of a romantic . . . till you.” I stand up and walk over to her, taking her in my arms and spinning her around to look out over the valley below us. “You bring out every good thing about me, baby.”

“Mmm,” she sighs, her body relaxing against my chest as my arms pull her closer against me. “Sometimes I think I need to pinch myself, because this just feels too perfect.” I nuzzle her neck. “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

I choke back the emotions that thicken my throat, sliding one arm down so I can reach into my pocket and finger the ring. I had planned to wait—to have us enjoy our picnic, and then when the sun had set and the stars were twinkling, I was going to propose—but I can’t wait any longer. The ring feels as if it’s burning a hole in my pocket, and the words are scorching the tip of my tongue.

I spin her around to face me, the smile on her face so wide, her eyes squint.

“I know how you feel. Sometimes I worry that it’s too perfect: That the fact that I get to love you—a woman who has been a constant in my life for so long, a woman who has grown into the most compassionate, loving, and kind human I’ve ever met—will someday be taken from me because I don’t deserve you.”

Her smile fades as she reaches her hands up to cup my face. “That’s not possible. You do deserve me—all of me—my heart, my soul, my everything.”

We both close our eyes, swaying silently for a few seconds, like we’re completely lost in each other.

“I want you to be mine . . . forever.” I step back, reaching down to pull the ring from my pocket. “I want to grow old with you, Juniper. I want to protect you. I want to hold you every night and kiss you every morning. I want you to be the mother of my children. You’re already my best friend and the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Her eyes start to water and her lip quivers. “I want you to be my wife.”

“Yes.” The word tumbles from her mouth in a shaky breath. “Yes, yes, yes!” she says again, huge grins breaking across both of our faces as I take her hand and position the ring on her finger.

“Oh my God,” she gasps, her other hand covering her mouth when she sees her grandmother’s ring. “My grandma’s ring? But how?”

I slide the ring down her finger and it fits perfectly, the diamonds sparkling. “Your mom. She insisted that you have it, and when I saw it, I knew it was meant for you. I looked high and low for a ring that symbolized you, wild and free and beautiful, and when I saw it . . .”

She doesn’t hold back her tears as she launches her arms around me. Neither of us speaks as we hold one another, tears streaming down both of our faces.

Finally, she pulls back, her cheeks warm and red from her tears, which have finally stopped. “I swear I’m happy, it’s just that I can’t believe it’s finally happening—that I’m finally getting the happily ever after I’ve dreamed of for so long.”

“Thank you.” I stare at her, completely lost in everything she is. “Thank you for loving me, for giving me another chance when I know I didn’t deserve it, and for trusting me with your heart.”

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