Page 49 of The Rancher's Secret Son

“I want you to know that I mean all this. I love you, Claire, and I’m not losing you again.”

“Have you told your dad?”

“Yes, I have, and he was delighted because he thinks now he’ll get to see more of Cody, and Mom is even happier about it. Mom said she regrets that they didn’t meet you when I was dating you.”

“This is a day of one shock right after another,” she said, looking at Nick. She kissed him, trying to convey the love she felt for him, love that she no longer tried to crush or ignore or deny. Stepping back, she gazed into the blue eyes that she loved. He’d taken a huge step, given up something important to him, just for her. Now it was her turn.

“Nick, I might want to commute and open a Dallas office after we get my grandparents settled, but if you want to be a rancher, I’ll move to Verity. The ranch would be a wonderful place for Cody to grow up.”

Nick leaned close to kiss her, drawing her tightly against him. She closed her eyes, kissing him with joy and love. Happiness filled her as he leaned over her and kissed her passionately, and she held him tightly, thrilled that she had his love and they would be together, a family for Cody.

In minutes, she leaned back to look up at him. “You would really have moved to Houston for me?”

“Yes, ma’am, I would have. Whatever it takes to make you happy. I thought a lot about it and decided that all that was really important was the woman I love, my child, my family. That’s true happiness for me.”

“I’m amazed. I love you, Nick,” she said before he kissed her.

When he released her, she gazed up at him. “Cody will be hyper when he finds out he’s going to live on a ranch.” She giggled then, feeling like an excited child herself. Then she realized she’d been remiss. “Nick, I need to ask my grandmother if they’ll be willing to move. I want to ask my grandfather, too.”

“Fine. You talk to them first, but then I will. I can afford to get whatever medical help we need for your grandfather. Think I should ask your grandfather for your hand in marriage?”

She laughed. “I don’t think you need to, since we have a three-year-old son.”

“Remember, you have an early Christmas present on the tree. You can open it now.”

She looked at the small box tucked between the branches of rosemary. She pulled it out, carefully untying the ribbon while Nick showered light kisses on her temple, her ear, her throat. As she unwrapped the paper, he turned to watch when she raised the lid. A small black box was inside. She glanced at him and then pulled it out to open it. She gasped as she looked at the sparkling ring with one huge diamond surrounded by a circle of smaller stones.

“Oh, Nick. It’s beautiful.”

Nick took it from her, taking her hand. “I love you, Claire, with all my heart.”

“I love you,” she repeated, more tears of happiness falling.

She hugged him and he kissed her, picking her up tightly in his arms to carry her to bed.

* * *

Later, as she lay cradled against him, she ran her finger along his jaw, feeling the tiny stubble. “Nick, I love you so. There’s never been another man since we first met. Not ever.” She kissed away his answer, holding him tightly, feeling giddy with happiness.

“I’m going to spend a lifetime trying to make up to you for the breakup and the harsh words. I—”

She placed her fingers on his lips. “Shh. That’s over and in the past, and we’ve moved on. Let it go, Nick, and I will, too. We’re together now and that’s what is important.”

She rose slightly to look down at him. “Christmas is next week. What are your plans?”

“This year the whole family is going to Mom and Dad’s for dinner on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day everyone is on their own. I’ll be with you and your family that afternoon. Then everyone’s invited to Wyatt’s for dinner Christmas night.”

“If you’d like, come Christmas Eve and join us. You’ll miss dinner at your parents’ house, but we’ll be happy to have you.”

“I accept,” he said, kissing her briefly.

She rolled off the bed to gather her clothes. “Nick, I need to go home. I’m not spending the night here.”

“Home, it is,” he said.

She loved the sound of that word on his lips.

* * *

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