Page 36 of The Texas Cowboy's Proposal

Jaxson’s hand had been inside his pocket. Beaudry looked at him and then something was produced and passed from his palm into Beaudry’s. He felt the warmth of the smooth metal in his palm. It was strong and would last until the end of time.Just like what I feel for the woman in front of me.A loud, collective gasp rose like a wave across the lawn as he slowly went down on one bended knee.

“I’m not very good with words. And you deserve a poet who can do you justice. But the words I do say here today, I mean. They are my oath, my vow to you. I’m not signing any document except a marriage license that is waiting inside this courthouse right now. This is not a business deal I want to make with you, Samantha Josephine Burkitt. I am here on bended knee stating in front of God, our family, and assorted friends, and some strangers that I love you and no piece of paper or old woman’s cunning is going to change that. If anything, Sarah Burkitt decided we were two people who were too blind or stubborn to see what was right in front of us. The simple truth is, this is our lives—yours, mine, and Lacy’s. And to make certain everyone gets the details correct in the gossip column this week, I am doing this in front of the whole county as my witnesses.

“I am offering my heart for the first time in my life. I am asking for you to do me the greatest honor and agree to marry me, be my wife and mother to Lacy for as long as we both walk this earth. Those are the only terms I care about, the only deal I am interested in. I want to marry the woman whose heart is bigger and tougher than anything in the state of Texas. So, yes or no, Sammi Jo?” His palm opened to show the ring he clutched there—a simple square-cut diamond solitaire that shot sparkles of color into the sunshine.

A pin could have been heard dropping in the total silence of the moment, even with so many people waiting with breaths held in check. Sammi Jo’s head began a very slow shake.

Was it a no?

Laurel coughed under her breath. A slow smile began on Sammi Jo’s lips and soon had spread to outshine the brilliance of the diamond itself. “A Burkitt and a Hawkes. Who would have thought it? No one but Grandmother. And it’s ayes, Beaudry Hawkes. I will marry you and accept your terms. Because I love you right back, you crazy cowboy.”

“She said yes!” The crowd began to broadcast the words in waves spreading throughout the square, with added clapping and loud hoots of celebration.

*

Sammi Jo felther feet lift from the ground in an instant, more cheers went up all around them, and then she looked down into the face of the man who swung her around until she felt lightheaded. Or maybe it was the kiss he claimed as he returned her feet slowly to the ground that was the cause of it all. Either way, it was several long moments before either of them returned to earth and those courthouse steps. Beaudry slipped the ring on the proper finger, and Sammi Jo found she fit perfectly inside the arms that held her as if he would never let go. And that would be fine with her.

“You do know how to make a statement, Mr. Hawkes,” she said, grinning up at him, moisture filling the corners of her eyes.

“I was inspired, Miss Burkitt. If we are burying an old feud today, nothing else seemed appropriate to let as many people know that no piece of paper is going to tell either one of us who to love or for how long. And there isn’t a price tag big enough to hang on the love we will share the rest of our days. Now, before Lacy escapes the judge’s chambers upstairs where she has had her face glued to the window watching all of this, we best get up there and say those vows. That’s what you ordered me to do not long ago. Remember?”

“I remember how I thought you would toss me outside your gate and lock it once you heard me out.”

“I was tempted to do just that. But I had to do something to prove that those gorgeous, pleading blue eyes hadn’t roped me into them from the first moment. I knew you were going to stir things up, but I had no idea just how much.”

“I won’t change. You know we are both too stubborn for our own good sometimes.”

“Yes, and I do not want you to change one thing. Because I also hear that the making up after a couple argues is pretty incredible. I am certainly game if you are.” The grin he shared made her heart do some pretty incredible somersaults.

“Bring it on. But I think you’re right. We best say those vows as fast as we can get up those stairs.” She couldn’t contain the loud whoop of happiness that escaped her as Beaudry scooped her off her feet into his arms and made good on her command.

Epilogue

“Here’s to you,little brother. I stand amazed that you made it through your wedding and honeymoon to this day and now are just an old married man.” Jaxson handed over the cold bottle of beer to Beaudry as they stood in a semi-quiet corner of the back porch while the party was still in full swing on the other side of the huge ranch house. Then he drew out another bottle from his other pocket of his formal Western suit jacket and handed it off to Matt. Only he added a crisp hundred-dollar bill along with the beer.

“And where is my money?” Beaudry asked. “I think you got mixed up and meant to give me a wedding present too.”

“Your brother is paying off a bet he owes.” Matt nodded at Jaxson. “I won and he lost. Thanks for being a good loser.” He raised the bottle in salute before he took a swallow.

“What bet?”

Jaxson shook his head. “Nothing really.”

“Nothing? My tightfisted brother wagers a hundred on anything, that is major news. Heck, even if you put out twenty, that’s not like you. Spill.”

“I bet several weeks ago that you had met your match going up against a Burkitt. That you might find Sammi Jo a force you hadn’t reckoned on. And I was right.” Matt smiled in triumph.

“Well, I thought my brother was made of sterner stuff. I was wrong. You folded like a cheap tent in the first bit of brisk breeze. And cost me one hundred big ones.”

Beaudry shook his head. “I cannot believe my friend and my brother would bet on such a thing.”

“Yes, you can. You usually are the one instigating the bets around here. We just learned from the best.” Matt grinned.

“That’s okay.” Beaudry nodded. “I freely admit I am leaving you both to be the remaining members of the Old Bachelors’ Club of Burkitt, Texas. I have succumbed to the arrow from Cupid’s bow or whatever that little fat guy uses. And I could not be happier. I would tell you two to try it, you’d like it, but then who is left in these parts that hasn’t already given you both a wide berth as marriage material? I might have to start advertising for you both on that dating program.”

“No thanks. I like my freedom just fine,” Matt said, standing from his perch beside Beaudry on the porch railing.

“Double that for me. This is one cowboy who won’t be dangling from any female’s rope. Not a one I’ve met has made me that crazy.”

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