Page 44 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

“To start your very own ranch,” Kaitlyn replied, her words laced with hope for the new life they were building here.

Zeke crouched down next to them, his presence a solid comfort. “That’s a fine herd you have there, Stet. Bet they’re the fastest horses in the West.”

“Can I play with them now?” Stetson’s gaze flickered between the toys and the adults, seeking approval.

“Absolutely,” Zeke said, his casual tone filled with affection.

Kaitlyn’s heart warmed at the sight, her once-wounded soul finding solace in the simple joy of her son. The fortitude that had carried her to this moment seemed to be paying off, the glimmer of a brighter future reflected in the Christmas lights.

The fragrance of pine and the soft hum of Christmas carols filled the room as Zeke reached under the tree for a small, elegantly wrapped box. He held it out to Kaitlyn, his broad shoulders casting a protective shadow in the warm glow of the tree lights. The stubble on his jaw seemed softer somehow, less gruff, as he gave her a tentative smile.

“Kaitlyn, this is for you,” he said, his voice steadier than his hands.

She accepted the gift, her fingers brushing against his. The contact sent a shiver of anticipation through her. Carefully peeling back the paper, she revealed a velvet box that spoke of promises and whispers in the dark. Inside, nestled against the plush lining, lay a delicate necklace with a heart pendant. It caught the light and shimmered like the surface of the lake at sunset.

“Zeke,” she breathed, unable to tear her gaze from the symbol of love that lay before her.

“It’s not just any heart,” he said quietly, watching her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. “It represents my commitment to you…and to Stetson.”

Tears threatened to blur her vision, but she blinked them back, unwilling to miss a moment of the sincerity etched across Zeke’s features. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly as she touched the cool metal of the pendant.

“Thank you, Zeke. It’s beautiful,” she whispered, feeling the weight of his love settle around her neck as he fastened the clasp.

With the necklace now resting against her skin, Kaitlyn turned to the small pile of gifts she had prepared. She chose a modestly wrapped package, its corners carefully folded and taped by hands more used to holding onto hope than gift wrap. Handing it to Zeke, she watched his deliberate movements, so unlike the reckless abandon of Stetson’s earlier unwrapping.

“Your turn,” she said softly.

Zeke opened the package with the same care she’d taken to seal it, revealing a handmade photo album. The cover was simple, yet the effort behind it spoke volumes. A few photographs already filled some of the slots—snapshots capturing moments of laughter, tender glances, and the sprawling beauty of Redemption Ridge Ranch.

“I wanted us to have a place to keep our memories,” Kaitlyn explained, her voice barely above a whisper. “There’s so much room for more because I believe... I know there will be so many more memories to come.”

His gaze lingered on the album, then lifted to meet hers. There was a depth in his eyes, as if he understood every unspoken word that lingered between them.

“Kaitlyn, this means everything,” he said, his casual tone belying the deep emotion that resonated in his words. “I’m looking forward to filling every page—with you, with Stetson, with our future.”

The certainty in his voice wrapped around her like a blanket, warm and secure. Her heart, once guarded and tentative, now beat with a rhythm that sang of trust and new beginnings.

“Me too, Zeke.”

In the soft light of the living room, they shared a smile that felt like the first page of their story together.

Stetson’s small frame buzzed with barely contained excitement as he shuffled closer to Kaitlyn, a folded piece of construction paper clutched in his hands. The Christmas tree’s lights played over his eager face, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the earnest offering.

“Mommy, I made this for you!” His dark eyes, so like hers, shimmered with pride as he thrust the paper into her hands.

Kaitlyn unfolded the gift gently, revealing a vibrant crayon drawing that captured their little family in stick figures: herself, Stetson, and Zeke, surrounded by a menagerie of animals that roamed Redemption Ridge Ranch. Each figure sported a wide smile, and above them, Stetson had scrawled ‘Family’ in his crooked, childlike hand.

“Look, Mommy, that’s Inky,”—Stetson pointed at a horse-like creature with an oversized tail—“and that’s us by the big barn!”

Her heart swelled, warmth spreading through her chest as she traced the lines of their drawn counterparts. “It’s perfect, Stet. This is the best present ever.” She enveloped him in a hug, the paper crinkling between them. “Thank you, baby,” she whispered, feeling her eyes moisten. The tears that threatened to escape were born from a well of gratitude—a life once marked by absences now brimming with presences so cherished.

As they pulled apart, Zeke cleared his throat, an impish twinkle lighting his features. “There’s one last thing before we’re done with presents.”

Kaitlyn glanced up, curious, noting the excitement etched on Zeke’s face. It was a rare break in his usual deliberate demeanor, and it intrigued her.

“Really?” She couldn’t help but smile, her curiosity piqued.

“Trust me,” he said, standing up. “It’s worth getting out of our warm pj’s for.”

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