Page 119 of Samuel

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re rubbing my belly quite vigorously. I’m sure Jellybean is enjoying it, but I feel like you’re jittery about something.”

Sam stilled his hand on her bump, sighing. “Not jittery. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Is it the wedding?”

He steeled his face, not wanting to give anything away.

“The wedding?”

“Yeah. I thought you were ahead of schedule with building the arch John and Abby want to get married under.”

His heart rate slowed.She hadn’t figured out his plans.“Everything with that is still good. I got the final measurements for it. So yeah, I should be able to get it done in time. Oh, Abby triple checked with the company that’s installing the AC in the barn and they swear they’re going to have it done next week, so it’ll definitely be nice and cool in there.”

“I, for one, am grateful for that. I feel like I’m going to be a giant melted puddle.”

“But you’ll be the most beautiful giant melted puddle there.” Evie slapped his arm. “I mean, eh, it was smart of them to think of that?”

“Right answer. Okay, so it’s not your sister’s wedding. What is it then? If something’s wrong?—”

“It’s not.” He stopped her as soon as he saw worry cloud her eyes. “I’m just thinking through a lot of things right now and got lost for a second. I’m back now.” He bent down and kissed the top of her belly before capturing her lips in a kiss. “Why don’t you go take a shower and change into that really pretty blue sundress you love. I’ll start on dinner.”

“That does sound nice, but I can help.”

“No ma’am. I don’t want to end up eating radishes and ice cream or chocolate covered Brussels sprouts. Go. Relax. And when you’re done, dinner will be waiting.”

“My cravings aren’t that bad. I swear, I’ve never heard of a dramatic cowboy before.”

“Evie, you had me make you a bowl of cookie dough ice cream last night with sweet onions cut up on top.” He feigned a playful gag. “I’m not being dramatic.”

Her shoulders shook with laughter. “You’re right. You’re spoiling me, and I’m so grateful, Sam. I won’t know what to do when this all ends.”

Sam shook his head. Soon enough she would have theconcrete evidence of his feelings towards her. The water turned on in the bathroom and Sam grabbed the small bag he’d hidden under the kitchen sink.

It’s taken some stealthy negotiating to get the items, and his sister had been a Nosy Nelly trying to find out why he needed paper lanterns and battery operated candles, but she settled for the little white lie that he was trying to test something out for her wedding and couldn’t spill the beans. Heck, if it worked out how he was thinking, he’d happily put them back up for Abby and John over on their own trees.

“Dinner was so good, but if you keep filling my plate like that, I will burst.”

“You need the protein for Jellybean.”

Evie laughed. “What I need is for us to take a big walk tonight so that I’m not up with killer indigestion later tonight.”

“We need to stop down to the office. Then we can continue our stroll.” A question flashed through her eyes, but he just laughed. “I left my hat down there. A cowboy can’t properly stroll without it.”

Two minutes later, they made their way out of the barn and around the building. Her hand tightened in his a second before she stopped, staring at his secret project.

“Sam? What is all this?” The large white oak tree was covered in paper lanterns, all of which were illuminated, casting a beautiful glow onto the grass beneath the branches.

It was now or never. Sam pulled his hat off his head, got down on one knee, and handed the hat to Evie.

Her eyes grew wide, immediately glistening with tears, as she looked inside.

“BluebellandJellybean.” Her whispers were filled with awe as she crushed the hat to her chest. “Sam…”

“I love you, Evelyn Williams. I didn’t know how good my life was about to get the day you pulled onto the ranch and I tried to force you to leave, but I’m so happy you fought me to stay. I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere. And I want to make sure you and Jellybean don’t either. You both belong here with me. You’ve found home. I want to be your husband and Jellybean’s dad more than I want my next breath.” He pulled his great-great-grandmother’s ring box from his pocket.

“For so long, I wasn’t sure why I survived my cardiac arrest. There was all this responsibility, but it didn’t seem like the ranch should be everything I poured my life into. I kept moving forward because I knew there had to be something bigger. Something that I was missing before. Something worth continuing on for. And I was right. The ranch, this land, it was all a means for the universe to bring my family to me. And that’s what you are, Evie. You and this baby are my family. I want to show you every single day how thankful I am for you. I want to cherish you, and show you the love you deserve. And god, I want to hold your hand as Jellybean comes into this world. I can’t wait to change her diaper in the middle of the night before you nurse her. And to see her walk for the first time into our open arms. I want to braid her hair and chase away every boy who looks in her direction until she’s thirty-five.”

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