Page 120 of Samuel

Evie laughed, and he reached up to brush the tear away from her skin.

“Evie, will you do me the greatest honor of my life, and allow me to be your husband?”

“Sam.” Her head shook slowly from side to side and his heart sank into his stomach. “You didn’t have to do all this. It’s incredible and I know this must have been so much work. But Cowboy, I love you, just for you. Even if you had set your hatin front of me at my desk, and asked me on a random morning, I would answer the same way I’m going to now. Yes. Yes, yes, a million times, yes!”

Her hands moved to the bottom of her belly and he laughed as she jumped up and down as best she could.

“This is the most incredible ring, Sam.”

“It was my great-great-grandmother’s.”

She stilled as he took her hand in his. “Are you sure you want to give something so precious to me? Shouldn’t Abby have it for Katy?”

His fingers stopped pushing the ring onto her finger.

“Bluebell,youare precious. This ring has been yours since my family started this ranch. Every eldest son has proposed with it, and every wife has worn it, including my mom.”

“She gave it to you?”

“With her complete blessing.”

“I can’t believe it fits. We might have to have it sized down after she comes. I think my fingers are a little swollen.”

Sam laughed. “You would not believe how stealthy I had to be to measure your finger a few weeks ago in order to make sure it would fit.”

“A few weeks? Even before… Garrett?”

“Of course.” He kissed her finger. “I branded your names into my hat after the solstice.”

Evie’s cheeks flooded with a shade of pink that could rival the sunset they were standing under. “That was a great night.”

“Yeah, it was.”

“What if we never have a son?” she whispered, worrying her lip between her teeth.

“Whether we have a son or not, whether there are ten kids that follow after her, or she’s our only baby, that ring belongs to you and Jellybean. When you’re ready for her to have it, then we’ll pass it down to her. I’m happy to make a new tradition for this family. Our family.”

Jellybean was a miracle to him. No one would ever take her place in his heart, and it was about damn time that she accepted that.

“Sam…”

“No tears yet, baby. I have something else I want to show you.” He finished slipping the ring onto her finger, and pressed his lips to the diamond before wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

“More?” Her voice muddled as her arms wrapped around his back, deepening their embrace. “I’m not sure I can handle it. I’m pretty much a blubbering puddle at this point.”

“It’s just something small, but I really want to show you tonight.”

Sam laced his fingers through hers and pulled Evie towards his truck.

“We have to drive there?”

“It’s not far, and we aren’t leaving the ranch. I just didn’t want to make you waddle through the fields.”

Evie laughed, looking down at the ring he’d just placed on her finger. “I guess I can let that comment go tonight.”

“Good girl.”

It only took a few minutes to reach their destination.

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