Page 130 of Puck and Prejudice

I look out the window. “I didn’t notice the rain had stopped.”

“Yeah, all the clouds have pretty much dispersed.”

It’s been raining since we got here, so we couldn’t take the horses out. Jackson is extra careful now when it comes to the weather. He hasn’t forgotten the time I got caught in a storm and was left behind in the downpour.

I cover the bowl of chicken salad. “Great. Let’s do it!”

* * *

JACKSON

It’s a miracle Izzie didn’t notice anything was wrong with me. I’ve been a nervous wreck since we got to the ranch. I had plans, and the weather threatened to put a wrench on them. I knew there was the possibility of rain, but I didn’t expect it to pour nonstop the entire day yesterday. I was resigned to postponing what I had planned, but suddenly, I caught a break. Now the sun is shining, and if it weren’t for the smell of wet grass, no one could tell it rained for hours.

I’m ridding Raven Ray, and Izzie is riding Apollo. After the storm incident, I wanted Izzie to ride a more stable horse. I plan to gift her the filly she brought to the world, but it will be a few years until she can ride her.

We ride to my favorite spot on the property—the lake. Izzie has already put her touch on it by ordering a bench to put under the massive tree. I don’t know why I never did that before.

When we reach the tree, she sees the red-and-white checkered blanket and the picnic basket. “Jacks… what’s this?”

“I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me we were having a picnic? I’d have brought the chicken salad sandwiches.”

“If I’d told you, it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” I smirk.

We get off our horses and, once their reins are tied around a low tree branch, we walk over to the blanket. But before Izzie can sit down, I pull her to me and place my index finger under her chin, lifting her face to mine. “Are you happy, my love?”

“Yes, very much so. And you?”

I close my eyes, trying to steady my nerves, and press my forehead against hers. “Never been happier. You’re my everything, Izzie.”

She cups my cheek with her hand. “You’re my everything too, Jacks. I love you so much.”

A shudder ripples down my back. “Good.”

I stick my hand in my pocket, and once the small velvet box is in my hand, I drop down to one knee.

“Jacks, what are you doing?” she breathes out.

“What does it look like, gorgeous?” I quip to hide the fact I’m freaking out.

Her pretty brown eyes become even rounder, matching the shape of her lips. She’s surprised, not terrified. “Are you proposing?”

“I’m trying to. Will you let me?”

She nods.

A nervous laugh escapes me, and then, I blank.

Fucking hell.

“Jacks… did you change your mind?”

“No, of course not. I… damn it. I had an entire speech prepared. I practiced in front of the mirror and everything.”

She watches me for a moment as if in a daze, then she laughs.

“This isn’t funny!”

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