Page 85 of Alive and Wells

“Jesus, woman. You’ve only been legally able to marry somebody new for an hour and you’re already laying the pressure on me?” I can’t help but smile. Marrying her has consumed my every thought since the day I realized I was in love with her. “If I was certain you weren’t a bit gun shy about marriage, I’d take you down to the courthouse today.”

“If you weren’t gun shy about proposing, I’d say yes.”

“You’d say yes?” I shift so I can fully see her eyes, the blues looking right into my soul with a playful expression.

“Obviously. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that.”

“So, let me get this straight.You will.I will. What are we doing sitting here right now then?”

She laughs and kisses me, swiping her champagne-soaked tongue along my bottom lip, then pressing through to tangle around my tongue.

“Hold your horses, I’m not racing down to the courthouse to get married on the same afternoon they filed my divorce paperwork. Imagine the small town gossip.”

I don’t give a shit about the busybodies. It’s not like everybody in town doesn’t already know we’re together. Hell, two weeks ago we spent the entire day at the Wells Canyon rodeo. Holding hands, kissing, dancing. Everyone knows she’s my girl.

“Okay, fine. You deserve a proper proposal, anyway. With a beautiful ring and a whole prepared speech. And maybe not with my cock still half-hard.”

“Or your cum running down my thigh. Really, Aus. I don’t need fancy, proper shit. You cut down the family lilacs. You forced my shitty ex-husband to sign divorce papers. You’ve taken care of me every single day since I got here. Now you’re offering to build me a house. I think you’ve made your fair share of love proclamations.”

“Even still.” I take a knee in front of her. “Darlin’, this isn’t the time or place I planned on doing this. But I need you to understand I’m not apprehensive in the least about proposing to you. So I’ll ask you here now to prove that. Then we’ll go pick out a ring to buy withourmoney. And I’ll do this all over again properly.”

I clear my throat and grab her hands, resting them on her trembling knees. Though I have no idea why she’s nervous.

Oh, never mind. I’m the one shaking.

“When I first met you I didn’t think I could ever feel this way about somebody. I didn’t think I wanted to—until you. You’ve beeneverythingsince the day you turned up here. The first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the dreamy thought that lulls me to sleep. You’re in my head, knowing me better than anybody ever has, and you constantly push me to be a better man.” My hand lazily strokes the soft skin of her thigh as I talk. “Now here I am, once again doing something I swore to myself I never would. All because of you. I’ll do anything you want me to, Cecily. For the rest of my life, I’ll do anything to prove I deserve you. I love you and I so badly want to be yours forever, darlin’. Will youpleasemarry me?”

She wipes a stray tear the second it falls from her eye, and then another. She blinks up at the ceiling for a second before flitting her eyes back to meet mine.

God, she’s perfect.

“You’re mine and I’m yours. And Icannot waitto be your wife.”

Her lips brush mine like they have a million times before, with a hint of something different.My wife.

Bonus Epilogue - Cecily

Rainpeltsthewindowsat a ninety-degree angle and I lean against the cold windowpanes in the front door, peering between droplets to see the barn. The lights are on and there appears to be movement, so I release a pent-up exhale and sink into my heels.The boys made it home safely.Thankfully, my Not-A-Cowboy husband isn’t typically out for long stretches with the ranch hands—I don’t know how Kate handles never knowing if Jackson is safe when they’re riding in weather like this. Especially when they’re gone overnight to move the herd long distances. Sure, they have satellite phones, but that doesn’t mean they’re great about checking in.

At least this was the final day bringing cattle home for the winter. After a few long weeks barely seeing Austin, I can’t wait to curl up with him in bed for the next… two, three, or more days. Considering how crappy I’ve been feeling recently, I’d love to snuggle under the covers straight through to spring. Warmed by the wood fireplace in our bedroom and his big arms wrapped around me.

I throw open the door and lean against the frame. Despite the rain and wind, it’s pleasantly warm out for a mid-October evening. The fresh air eases the near-constant migraine I’ve had all week. Seeing two shadowy frames walking toward home liberates me from the small kernel of anxiety still in my chest. Austin and his dad. Because somehow having some security in his life over the last three years—combined with seeing me put effort into a relationship with my parents—inspired him to reach out on the anniversary of his mom’s death. Rather than beer andHappy Days, we actually attended the family dinner. Then Bennett offered to stick around and help bring the cattle home for winter. And, to everyone’s amazement, Austin said yes.

They’re far from perfect, but watching them walking side-by-side and hearing their muffled voices makes me tear up. Maybe it’s the hormones.

I can’t find it in me to wait for him to be out of the rain before I’m moving in his direction. My feet barely make contact with the front porch steps, careening toward him. Launching into an embrace on the front lawn.

“Hi, Bennett,” I call out over Austin’s shoulder, to the man who looks like Jackson but acts exactly like Austin. He wordlessly waves and continues on to the big house.

“I missed you.” I kiss my husband, rubbing his scruffy jaw with my palm. “God, I missed you.”

He laughs, pressing his lips against mine. “I missed you too, darlin’. I’ve only been gone two days, though.”

The rain’s already soaked my shirt through and my hair’s clinging to my neck. I might catch a cold out here but I don’t care. I kiss him like he’s been gone for a year, legs wrapped around his waist, feeling the warmth of his hands on my ass.

“Feels like it was longer,” I admit. It has. Normally when he’s gone, it’s bearable. Not this trip.

“Let’s get outta the rain and you can keep telling me how much you missed me.” His hands slide along my thighs to my knees and he slowly untangles our bodies. I reluctantly let go, setting my feet on the squishy ground and staring up at him.

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