Page 36 of The Rancher's Bride
“Everyone’s at the house,” she answered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I just needed some fresh air.” She giggled. “I forgot how pungent a lamb can be.”
“I don’t know what Tessa is going to do when I tell her Marigold is going to have to sleep in the barn.”
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. Benjamin inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar scents of home. It felt like an eternity since he had last seen her and held her in his arms.
“I guess Tessa will spend more time out there, too. Benjamin,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper as she glanced down at her hands. “I wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me. I don’t know if I ever properly expressed my gratitude for rescuing me, but I owe you my life.”
“Bethany, there isn’t any need to thank me,” Benjamin said softly, pushing off the tree and taking a step closer to her. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Your bravery and kindness,” she continued, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, “showed me the depths of my own feelings for you. I’ve realized I care for you more than I ever thought possible.”
“Really?” The word escaped his lips, barely audible, his heart thundering in his chest.
“Really,” she confirmed, her voice wavering with emotion. “I can’t imagine my life without you. You’ve become so important to me, and I’m grateful beyond words for you.”
Gratefulfailed to describe how Benjamin felt in that moment. All the hardships he had endured through his life suddenly seemed worthwhile, knowing Bethany may feel the same way about him.
“Grateful?” He ran a hand along his jaw. “That’s not how I’d describe it.”
Her eyebrows drew together, creating lines of worry and confusion on her forehead. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to understand Benjamin’s statement. A few strands of hair fell out of place from behind her ear and she absentmindedly pushed them back, her forehead wrinkling even more.
“How would you describe it, then?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since I pulled you out of the creek that day. I told your pa I was going to court you, but it doesn’t appear I can wait any longer. Beth, I love you. I’ve loved you since the moment I held you in my arms, and every day that love has grown stronger.” He paused for a moment, searching her face for any sign of rejection. Seeing none of it gave him the courage to continue. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Bethany,” he confessed, the vulnerability in his voice making it clear just how much this meant to him. “I want to build a future together, raise children, and grow old by your side. Will you marry me?”
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stand still as Bethany stared at him, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Then she broke into the most radiant smile he had ever seen, her joy shining through like a beacon in the fading light.
“Benjamin,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder and happiness. “Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! I will marry you!”
A surge of relief and elation bubbled up inside him, like a tidal wave crashing onto the shore and washing away alllingering doubts and fears. He reached out with trembling hands, delicately cupping her face in his palms. His thumb traced small circles on her soft skin, and he could feel her tremble underneath his touch. Pulling her into his embrace, she willingly melted against him, her heart racing as their bodies pressed together.
As they stood there wrapped in each other’s arms, time seemed to stand still. Slowly lowering his head, he brushed his lips against hers in a tender yet passionate kiss. She responded eagerly, her hands finding their way to his broad chest as they explored each other with a kiss.
When they finally drew apart, Bethany couldn’t keep the smile from spreading across her face. Her hands remained on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath them. Benjamin took her hands in his, intertwining their fingers as he gazed deeply into her eyes.
“I want to give you everything you deserve, Beth,” he whispered, his voice filled with love and sincerity.
Bethany’s eyes welled up with tears as she was overcome with emotion. Slowly, she leaned in and kissed him again.
The sudden rasp of Joe’s throat clearing shattered their kiss, making Benjamin and Bethany jump apart from each other.
“Seems to me, Ben, you’ve skipped the courting part and gone straight to marrying.”
A flush crept up Ben’s neck as he turned to face Bethany’s father, who stood with one eyebrow raised, hands resting on his hips with his brother Devin standing beside him. He knew he needed to tread carefully. For while Joe respected him as a man and a friend, he was now dealing with the man’s eldest daughter, and that was an entirely different matter.
“Joe,” Benjamin cleared his throat, taking Bethany’s hand inhis once more. “My intentions are nothing short of honorable, I assure you. I intended to court Bethany properly, but I couldn’t contain my feelings any longer.”
“Pa, I—,” Bethany started, but Joe held up a hand to stop her.
“Ben, I know you’re a good man,” Joe said, his eyes never leaving Benjamin’s face. “I trust you’ll do right by my daughter. You need to take this slow. I don’t want no one getting hurt—especially my Bethany.”
“Of course, Joe,” Benjamin agreed earnestly. “I promise you.”
“Good,” Joe said, nodding his approval before softening his gaze on his daughter.
“Joe,” Benjamin asked tentatively, “does this mean you give your blessing for me to marry your daughter?”
Joe looked at Ben once more, his eyes probing beneath the surface, searching for any sign of insincerity. “I’ll think about it,” he finally replied, his voice gruff but not unkind. With that, he strode over to his daughter and tenderly kissed her forehead, a silent promise he would always protect her.
