Page 65 of The Unbuttoned Ranger
Bear kicked the bottom rail.“Hell, I’ve been waiting to hear this for weeks. I’m in. Lock, stock and barrel.”
“A little hard work never hurt anyone,” Arrow said.
The rest of the men were silent.
“Fellows, what are you thinking?” Sharp asked.
Grimes swung his arms over the top rail.“Just let us know what we need to do.”
Hawkeye’s laughter made Sharp look at him.“What is it Hawkeye?”?
“Well, can’t say I like the idea of living with any of you assholes again, but it could be worse I suppose.”
One by one, they all nodded in agreement.
“It’s good to have the team reunited,” Sharp said.
“Let’s get to work,” Arrow said.
“I hate to do it the first day, but I have something I need to do.” Sharp grabbed his hat off the rail and slammed it on hishead.“Y’all know what you need to do. Pa’s here to supervise with the building construction.”
He glanced at his watch then hauled himself into his truck. Lifting the console, he looked in to make sure the velvet box holding his ma’s ring was still there. He felt his nerves on edge. He’d never asked anyone to marry him before, and he wanted it to go without hitch. CaDee deserved the best proposal and wedding. It was time to make the engagement official if she’d have him.
He’d wondered if his family would try to talk him out of asking CaDee to marry him because they hadn’t known each other for that long, but instead, they were almost as certain as he was that marrying her was the right thing to do. Somewhere along the way, he’d fallen in love and he hoped she felt the same for him.
Driving up to the house, he showered and put on his best clothes. Tonight had to be perfect.
He had reservations for the best restaurant in town, and the owner was setting up a table on the rooftop. Candlelight, wine, and the works.
"Are you prepared for this?" Bradley asked as Sharp stepped out onto the porch.
"I am. I’m ready to propose to CaDee.”
Bradley replied with assurance, "I believe she will say yes." He then embraced Sharp, an action that seldom occurred. "I am proud of you and the person you have become. Your mother would be proud as well."
Sharp considered the possibility that his mother played a role in the events that brought CaDee and Carsen into his life. He wished his ma could be here to see the next chapter of his life.
“Pa, I need to go pick CaDee up. See you later.”
****
CaDee pulled the dress over her head and smoothed it down her body. She couldn’t wait to meet Sharp at the restaurant. Piper and Carsen were at the 4H meeting for the evening. It just so happened that Carsen loved his new friends and the prospect of showing goats—and Piper seemed youthful spending time with him doing something she enjoyed.
They hadn’t spoken about her illness because Piper didn’t like to dwell on the things she couldn’t change. She wanted to live while she was alive. CaDee respected that choice.
She was running late, so she picked up her pace.
Hurrying down the stairs, she started for the front door and stopped mid-stride. The door was wide open. She was certain she had closed and locked it when Piper and Carsen left earlier.
She might have chalked it up to poor memory if she didn’t also catch a scent of Dante’s cologne.
Her chest tightened.
She squeezed the doorknob until her fingers ached.
He had been in the house.
Was he still inside?
