Page 54 of His Christmas Star
She smiled after she rolled her eyes, which was all Tobi, and that made my heart sing. She followed me onto the floor, and I took her in my arms, the music an old, slow country western ballad. “Take it slow. I have two left feet, and neither are real.”
I laughed, burying my nose in her neck and kissing her, turned on the moment I felt the shiver run down her spine. “How did the sleigh rides go?”
“Everyone had so much fun. Next year we should do sleigh rides every Saturday night in December. People could make reservations to have more time in the sleigh. Maybe even encourage a small donation of canned food or money for the food pantry.”
“Well, look at you, Tobi Star. The Christmas spirit has finally found you.”
She blushed and rested her forehead on my shoulder. “There was so much joy on their faces as they rode with their families, Joe. It dawned on me that I take for granted the beauty that surrounds me every single day. It was only when I saw it through other peoples’ eyes that I could appreciate how important it was to share the beautiful land we have with others.”
“Mitakuye Oyasin,” I whispered into her ear.
“Yes, we are all related. I thought of those two words several times tonight, especially during the sleigh ride for the new couple.”
“Love trumps DNA.”
“It sure does, and in so many different ways.”
I swung her around carefully, the lights low and the music slow for the few couples left on the floor. “Do you want to stay at your cabin tonight or come back to my ranch?”
She glanced up at me immediately. “You want me to stay at your ranch overnight?”
“Yes, if you want to, that is.”
“Jo-Jo, I’ll go wherever you lead me. Just don’t leave me, okay?”
She asked the question with such honesty and fear that I stopped dancing and just enveloped her in my arms.
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. I’ve been here for twenty-two years, and I hope I’m here for sixty-four more. Do you understand that I’m here to stay?”
“I’m learning to believe that,” she whispered. “The last few weeks have given me hope that you’re mine and I’m yours.”
I pulled out of the hug and held her hands in mine. “Then let me be unbelievably clear about being yours forever, okay?”
She nodded and waited, so I reached inside the pocket of my coat and pulled out a box, dropping to one knee in front of her right there on the dance floor. When I cracked the box open, she gasped, one hand going to her mouth in surprise. “Is that a star?”
“It is,” I agreed, offering her a wink. “It’s the Christmas star, and we know that was a guiding star, which is what you’ve always been for me. You’ve been the sole person in my life who has taught me to love, fight, forgive, and how to be a better human being. You have suffered great loss in your life, but you never gave in or gave up. Despite what people thought about your family, you stood your ground here in Wellspring. I wanted to give you a new, happy memory for Christmas Eve, Tobi. I know it’s only been a few weeks since we admitted what we’d known all along, but I don’t think we can call it insta-love like in those romance novels you read. Our story has been written in the stars for twenty-two years, so maybe this is what you call the epilogue. The part where the boy gets down on one knee and asks the girl to be with him forever, so he can love, honor, and cherish her every day for all days. Tobi, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She lowered herself to her knees and took my face in her hands. It was only then that I noticed the music had stopped, and the tent was silent. “Joe, unlike all those romance novels, I can’t wear your ring.”
Tears fell down her cheeks as she rested her forehead against mine. “Ever?” I asked, fear filling me at the thought.
“No, Joe, I mean, I can’t wear a ring.” She held up her left hand, shame filling her face. “I want to marry you, but I can’t wear your ring.”
I wiped her tears before kissing her lips softly. “You’re wrong,” I promised, pulling it from the box so she could see the band. “Can I try?”
Her lips trembled with surprise as I slipped the ring I’d had specially made onto her left hand. “How does it fit so perfectly?”
“Because our hearts fit perfectly. Star, you deserve to experience life just like Cece, Dawn, and Heaven do. Every woman deserves to wear the ring of the man she loves. It wasn’t hard for Beau to get me the measurement when he measured you for those mitts.” I gave her a wink, and a smile filled her face. She found Beau standing with Dawn and shook her hand at him before she blew him a kiss. He blew one right back.
“I love you, Joseph Nash,” she whispered.
“So, the ring is on,” I said nervously, still holding her hand in mine.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, her eyes filling with love and laughter as she kissed my lips. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Joe!”
The tent erupted in applause as I stood up and pulled her into my arms. “Thank you,” I whispered over the noise of the crowd. “Thank you for loving me.”
“Thank you for trusting me with your heart this Christmas,” she whispered as she caressed my face with her sweet hands.
