Page 76 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“There’s more,” he says with a mischievous grin.

“What more could there possibly be?” I ask as I smile through my tears. I hear something. A deer?

“Look, Eleanor. Look who I found,” Chase says quietly in my ear as he presses a kiss to my wet cheek. I pull back and meet his eyes for a moment. He motions with a subtle nod, and I turn my head. I’m fairly certain my heart stops for a beat.

Running toward me is…Gunther.

“No. It’s not possible,” I say as I see my horse, my friend, the one who let me cry on him when my dad passed away, come running toward me.

He stops and nuzzles my outstretched hand. He jumps up a little, lifting his front legs, and then whinnies excitedly.

“Gunther?” I ask.

He whinnies again and I jump to my feet, throwing my arms around his neck, breathing in his scent, stroking his familiar coat.

“Oh my God,” I whisper as I start crying. “Gunther,” I manage as I pull back and take his head in my hands, planting kisses on his nose just as I did so many years ago. He’s older, just like me, but he’s no worse for wear.

“How?” I ask, not taking my eyes off my oldest and dearest friend.

“It wasn’t easy. He’s been sold twice. But I tracked him down. His owner was getting older, and when I offered a good price, he accepted it. He’s yours again, Eleanor,” Chase says as he stands and wraps his arms around me.

“Hi, Gunther,” he says, leaning his head forward so we’re cheek to cheek as we look up at my horse…my horse.

“I—I c-can’t believe you d-did this,” I manage as tears stream down my cheeks.

“I’d move the sun and moon for you, princess,” he assures me as he holds me tight. I remember being happy as a young girl. I remember bedtime stories with my dad. I have one or two fleeting memories of my mother, but I do remember feeling loved by her. I remember when my grandparents were still alive and would come and we’d bake cookies. But I don’t ever remember a day being this perfect.

“I don’t think you can ever top these surprises,” I whisper as I gain a little composure.

I pat Gunther again and notice there’s a small red bow tied to his bridle. Something sparkles in it as the sun hits it. I frown and reach out, tugging at the bow. Suddenly a ring falls in my hand.

“What the…” I trail off as I study it.

Chase isn’t holding me any longer. I slowly turn and find him kneeling before me.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you the first time you were in my life. And I certainly have no idea what I did to deserve you in my life a second time. You make me feel alive, Ella. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I don’t think I knew what being happy was until I met you. You’ve taught me to love life, Ella. But mostly, I just love you. I want to be with you always. Every second we’re together gets better and better. You’re my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the person I want to spend forever with. I want to make our happily ever after official. Marry me, Eleanor Nadine Foster?”

I can barely see him through my tears. “Yes! Yes, of course!” I yell as I launch myself into his arms.

He kisses me with fervor, and I let myself disappear into a universe where only we exist. That is until I hear the hoots and hollers of our friends and family.

“I thought I told you two to get a room!” Gus yells.

“Congratulations!” Greta and Lorenzo say simultaneously.

I smile against Chase’s lips and pull back, glancing behind him to see his parents, grandfather, Greta, Gus, Elisha, and David.

“How did you plan all of this?” I manage as my gaze goes back to his.

“Magic,” he teases.

I give him a pointed look.

“Fairy dust?” he says with a laugh.

I give him a playful slap on his chest. “Seriously?” I giggle as I look down at the ring in my hand.

His gaze follows mine and he takes the ring, sliding it onto my finger.

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