Page 88 of The Pieces We've Lost
Isa had cried, mostly from happiness, but I told her she could come visit me whenever she wanted—especially because I had an inkling that she had a crush on a certain heeler—and that I would come home as often as I could.
It was a bittersweet moment as I made my way to the shop, opened the garage door and headed to the back cornerlike I had done so many times. One last drive before I moved fifteen hundred miles away.
However, when I got to the pickup, pulled off the tarp, and climbed in, I noticed something new. There was now a letter on the dash, sitting next to the photo of my parents and addressed to me in chicken scratch handwriting. I took a deep breath and opened it, not knowing what I would find.
Ellison, my Sunshine, the light of my life,
I bought this pickup after I married your mother a couple years ago. Baby blue, just like your mother’s eyes, and now yours. I never thought there would be anything in the world that I could love more than your mother, rodeo, and this truck. These pieces of my life that seemed insignificant to others, but were everything to me.
But then I had you. And now, nothing is more important to me. Nothing could ever replace a father’s love.
I can only assume I’ve been restoring this pickup for years now, maybe with you by my side, but the time has finally come.
This truck is now yours. Cherish it; love it as I have. But know that no amount of my love for this vehicle will ever compare to my love for you.
You will always be my littlegirl. I love you so much.
Daddy
THREE MONTHS LATER
It had been only a few months since Reid and I won our first NFR Championship. The excitement of the win, however, was overshadowed by my excitement to have Ellison with me in Montana full-time.
The moment she moved up to Silver Creek, she redecorated the whole house. Honestly, redecorated might be an understatement. She fully decorated it, making it feel more “homey.” I didn’t know if she realized that it didn’t matter whether we lived in a mansion in the hills or a shack in the woods, my home was wherever she was.
This trip back to Texas was a bit of an impromptu one, especially since we had just been there for the Houston Rodeo. I made the excuse that Ells should visit her mom and Isabelle, but I didn’t tell her why I wanted to come to Texas too. She would find out soon enough.
It had been a little over a year since I met Ellison. A year since she had completely stolen my heart and refused to give it back. I was perfectly fine with that, though. She could have my heart and every single one of my days for the rest of my life. The final thing I had left to give her was my last name.
Back in Houston, I had asked Hanna for her blessing to propose to Ellison. She said yes with tears glistening in her eyes but a knowing look on her face. She had supported our relationship from the get-go because she had experienced a love like ours once.
Now there was one more person to ask.
Ellison and I had been to Levi’s grave together a couple times before. He was buried in the hills behind the Merritt family ranch, watching over them. I’d gotten to know the man that Levi was in Ellison’s eyes, even with how young she was when he died. I could only hope that I would live up to the standard Levi Merritt had set for me.
It looked like it was going to rain, the sky a deep bluish gray with storm clouds rolling in. I needed to do this quickly before it started pouring so that Ellison wouldn’t wonder how I got drenched.
I drove the gravel road carefully, watching for holes and animals. Very few people came to this end of the ranch, so the road wasn’t always maintained. Once I parked, I began the hike up to the top of the hill to where a cross and grave marker stood. When I got to the top, I looked around, taking in the view and preparing myself for what was to come. It had started to rain lightly, but I had time.
I knelt to the ground, next to the stone, and pulled out the tiny velvet box that held my future. Inside was the original ring that Levi Merritt proposed to Hanna with. It was stunning, with a silver band, hidden halo, and oval-cut gemstone, but it paled in comparison to Ellison’s beauty.
I took a deep breath, and spoke the words that I had thought about carefully for the past few months, “Hi, Levi. I wish I had gotten to meet you because I know how important you are to Ellison. I came here because I have a really big question that I need to ask her.” I thought back to a year prior, to running into her at the bar and doing everything I could to have her in my life.
“From the moment I saw her, I knew she was special. I fell in love with her the moment she showed me the pickup you had started to restore because I could see how much she loved and looked up to you. Well, I actually fell in lovewith her way before that, but that was the tangible moment in time I can remember thinking I wanted something more with her. I know I would never be able to replace you, and I would never try to, but if you give me the chance, I’d like to ask her to marry me. I promise I will protect her, and that I can and will love her enough for both of us.” I finished my speech, even though I knew I wouldn’t get an answer.
However, a moment later, as if willed by a higher power, the rain stopped and the sky started to clear, revealing a beautiful baby-blue sky streaked with the pinks and oranges of a sunset.
I’ll take that as a yes, then.I smiled to myself. I gave one last look at the cross and stone, and looked up toward the heavens.
“I won’t let you down.”
