Page 45 of The Trail Boss

“Gavin…” Her voice broke, and she blinked rapidly, her throat tightening.

“This,” he said, lifting the collar from the box, “isn’t just jewelry, Roxie. It’s a promise. A symbol of what we’ve built together and what I hope we’ll continue to build.”

Her chest swelled with emotion as he stepped behind her, the cool weight of the collar brushing her neck as he fastened it. His fingers lingered for a moment, gentle but possessive, as he adjusted the fit. When he stepped back, his gaze swept over her with a reverence that made her knees weak.

“It’s perfect,” he murmured, his voice rough. “You’re perfect.”

Roxie lifted trembling fingers to touch the collar, the cool gemstones contrasting with the heat blooming in her chest. “I don’t even have words,” she whispered.

“You don’t need them,” Gavin said, stepping close again. “But there’s one more thing.”

Before she could speak, Gavin surprised her by dropping to one knee. Her breath caught as he reached into his other pocket, pulling out a second velvet box—this one smaller but no less significant. When he opened it, Roxie gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Inside was an enormous diamond surrounded by sapphires, their rich blue hue mirroring the collar she wore.

“Roxie,” Gavin began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I never thought I’d meet someone like you—someone who could face down the worst and come out stronger, someone who could make me believe in something more than just gettingthrough the day. You’re my partner, my equal, and the only person I want by my side.”

Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as he took her hand in his, his touch firm yet tender. “I’m not perfect, but I’ll spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to protect you, love you, and remind you every day how extraordinary you are.”

He looked up at her, his dark eyes shining with a sincere intensity. “Will you marry me?”

For a moment, Roxie was frozen, the weight of his words, his promise, and the love in his gaze rendering her speechless. Then, with a trembling laugh, she nodded. “Yes,” she choked out, her voice thick with tears. “Yes, Gavin, of course I will.”

Gavin’s grin was equal parts relief and triumph as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The cool metal felt grounding, solid, and as Roxie looked down at it, her heart swelled almost painfully.

When he stood, she launched herself into his arms, her lips finding his in a kiss that was searing, desperate, and filled with everything she couldn’t say. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him, and she melted into the strength of his embrace.

When they finally pulled apart, Gavin rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her lips. “You’re mine now,” he said, his voice a low growl that sent a delicious shiver through her.

“I always have been,” Roxie whispered, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

He smiled, his hands settling possessively on her hips. “And always will be.”

As the night stretched on, Roxie knew this was more than a new chapter—it was the beginning of a story she’d never dared to hope for. And with Gavin by her side, she was ready to write it all.

The soft creak of the back deck boards under Roxie’s bare feet was the only sound as she sat cross-legged in the morning light. A warm breeze carried the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass from the sprawling fields, and the sky was a brilliant blue that seemed to stretch forever. She had her journal open in her lap, her pen poised as she stared at the blank page.

Ideas swirled in her mind, snippets of characters and dialogue, fragments of a story that had been growing inside her for weeks. She tapped the pen against her lips, her brows furrowing as she considered how to begin.

“You look like you’re trying to solve a murder, not write a book,” Gavin’s deep voice teased from behind her.

Roxie jumped slightly, laughing as she turned to see him leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed. He was barefoot, wearing jeans and a simple gray T-shirt that clung to his broad chest, his hair still slightly damp from a shower.

“I didn’t hear you,” she said, closing the journal instinctively.

Gavin stepped onto the deck, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” He held up a sleek silver laptop in one hand. “Thought I’d bring you something.”

Roxie’s eyes widened as she recognized the brand and model—one of the best on the market. “Gavin, what is this?”

“It’s a laptop,” he said with a grin, crossing the distance between them and placing it gently on the table beside her. “The same one Vanessa Ellington uses. Thought it might help you get started on that book of yours.”

Her heart swelled as she stared at the gift, her fingers hovering over the sleek surface. “You didn’t have to do this,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.

“I wanted to,” Gavin said, crouching beside her. He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as his blue eyes locked onto hers. “You’ve been through hell, Rox. You’ve fought for everything you have. This is me saying I believe in you. In what you’re going to do next.”

Tears stung her eyes, and she bit her lip to keep them at bay. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Gavin said, his voice low and steady. “Just write. You’ve got a story to tell, Roxie, and the world needs to hear it.”

She smiled, leaning forward to press a kiss to his lips, her gratitude spilling into the gentle embrace. When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his. “Thank you,” she whispered.

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