Page 64 of Loved By Tandy

She runs her fingers across the carved letters. “I never thought this day would come. And I can’t even say I dreamed it would happen. But I think a part of me always loved you, Matthew.”

“I’m glad you moved back to town.” I pull the ring out of its box and slide it on her finger. “I went with a ruby because I wanted a ring that would stand out, just like you.”

“I love it.” Her brow furrows. “You’ve been open about all the things you want to share.” She runs a finger down my chest, making it clear she understands what I mean. “Now tell me what you don’t want to share.”

“Your money. I’m not privy to how much you have, and I don’t need to be. But I had my lawyer draw up some papers.”

“A prenup?”

“If you want to call it that. But basically, I’m signing away my rights to all of your assets. Even whatever you make from Matchmaker Ranch.” I point toward the mule. “I have a folder. You can have your lawyer look over it. But I don’t want there to be any confusion about why I want to marry you.”

“So help me, if you make me cry…”

I chuckle and wrap my arms around her again. “I want you, Tandy. All of you. For better or for worse until death do us part.”

“Now you’re just trying to make me cry.” She inches up on her toes and kisses me. “And for the record, I don’t want your money or this ranch. All of it belongs to you and your family. You should have your lawyer write that up also.”

“I can do that. But I didn’t worry that you wanted it.” I let go of her and run back toward the mule. “I forgot something.”

She stands under the tree, admiring her ring. “What other surprises did you cook up? And because I’m curious, are you aware that you proposed last night?”

I stop and turn back to look at her. “I did?”

“You talk in your sleep.”

I pick up the candy but keep it hidden behind my back. “And what was your answer last night?”

“The same. Now, show me what you’re hiding.”

I lean back so that she can’t see behind me. “It’s a corny joke.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“You know what you get for saying yes to my proposal?”

She holds up her hand. “A ring?”

I hand over the candy bar. “You get a Big Hunk.”

She immediately starts tearing the wrapper. “Now I have another reason to love you. I haven’t had one of these in ages.” As she takes a bite of the candy, she lets her gaze slide down to my boots. “Yummy.”

Birds scatter from the trees when I let loose a laugh.

“I bought several of those when I was working on the remodel. But I wanted to save them until we were talking, so I put them in a safe place.”

She starts laughing before I even finish explaining. “So safe that you forgot where you put them?”

“Yep. I found them in the filing cabinet when I was getting papers for my attorney. And I took that as a sign.”

She kisses me, then pops a chunk in my mouth. “It tastes as good as I remember.”

“Good. You ready to head back?”

She climbs into the mule.

As I drive back to the house, she feeds me bites of her candy. And when I pull into the garage, she turns to face me. “If I leave this house with a ring on my finger, the entire town will know within a few hours, so as much as I love this ring—and you—I am not going to wear it until you’ve let your family know.”

“Probably smart. Should we just wait and announce it when everyone is in town? But I hate to make you keep a secret from Dallas and our friends.”

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