Page 26 of December's Ride with Scar

I wakeup to the sound of my phone ringing. I groan because I have Evelyn in my arms, and I don't want to move. The sunrise was starting to fill the sky when we finally closed our eyes last night, and with no plans today I planned to not let her out of bed.

I reach for my phone and see it’s Ruby.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Don't tell me you are still in bed!” she scolds with no hello.

“Didn't get to bed until after six a.m.,” I say with a smile.

“Well, you better get your butt down to the Merc youritemis here,” Ruby says. I can hear the excitement in her voice.

Instantly, I'm wide awake.

“We will be there shortly,” I say and hang up.

“Be where? What time is it?” Evelyn asks, sleep filling her voice.

I set my phone down and lean over and kiss her.

“We need to get to the Merc. It's almost noon,” I tell her and slide out of bed to get the coffee going. We are both going to need it this morning.

It takes a lot of convincing and a lot of coffee to get her out of bed and ready to walk out the door. But she can tell I’m excitedand that something is up. Even if I won't tell her what’s going on, I don't hide it either.

By the time we get into town and to the Merc, I can tell her curiosity is getting the best of her.

“I don't know if I can handle any more surprises right now. Please tell me,” she begs as I park the truck.

“I promise you will love this one,” I say as I get out of the truck and go open her door for her.

“But…” she starts.

Stopping her, I lean in and give her a quick kiss. “Get inside so I can show you,” I say before she can finish that sentence.

I take her hand and lead her inside the Merc and head straight to Ruby who is behind the counter.

“There you are! Wait right here,” Ruby says. Then she disappears in the back and emerges a moment later with a small bag in her hand.

“Now Ruby, you won't want to miss this,” I say, knowing she will want to be front row center to whatever happens.

I glance around the Merc and a few of Ruby's friends are here, Lolli and Peggy who are enjoying a coffee, and one of Orville friends from the cafe is talking to him on the other side of the store. Here goes nothing.

Pulling the black velvet box from the bag, I set it on the counter so I can take Evelyn's hand with the other.

“Everything I said last night, I meant. I love you and I think I fell in love the moment you stepped off that bus. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to marry you. The only question was when. I wanted to do this the right way, so I asked Ruby to help me.” I hold up the black box and Evelyn gasps.

It must be obvious to Evelyn what is going on, but that isn't going to stop me from doing this right. So, dropping to one knee, I open the box and look up at Evelyn. Tears are streaming down her face, but the love I see in her eyes spurs me on.

“Will you be my wife and stay here with me in Mustang Mountain?” I ask. The rest of my words I had planned are stuck in my throat.

“Yes!” she cries.

Everyone in the Merc erupts into applause.

Evelyn drops to her knees as I slide the ring on her finger. Then she launches herself into my arms before I get a chance to say anything else. As I hold her, I’m content knowing I get to do this for the rest of my life. It was exactly what I was praying so hard for last night.

“This is the first proposal in the store in over five years! I am so excited for you two,” Ruby says with tears in her eyes.

What Evelyn says next shocks the hell out of me.

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