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“I… um…” God, I’m a nervous wreck now that I’m face to face with the man I’m completely in love with.
“I’m just joking. It’s great to see you, but I’m a little confused.”
“I thought you never joke after midnight…” I say, my voice is a little shaky. Rusty peeks his head through the door, and I kneel down to welcome him into an embrace and give him a pat. He’s soft and loving, and suddenly my fear is erased. Then I stand to confront his master. Hell, he’s my master too. He’s the one that holds my heart.
Tears pool in my eyes as I realize Ryan hasn’t only made my life more, he’s also helped me get over some of my biggest fears. I never thought that I would fall in love. I never would’ve believed I would leave my pride and joy in the hands of someone else, no matter how capable they were, and I surely never thought I could love a dog. Who would’ve thought that two meddling mothers knew more than we did?
“Come here,” he invites me into a big hug, just like I did his dog.
“I love you,” I mumble into his shirt and begin to cry.
“I love you too, sweetheart. Welcome home.”
Epilogue
Ryan
One year later…
“Rusty, no!” I hear Julia calling from the yard. Apparently, our dog, which Julia used to demand be on a leash, is out there doing what Rusty does best. Tearing up something. I assume it has to do with her sunflower greenhouse. We expanded it over the winter and she’s out there now, adding in new additions of plants she’s been wanting to learn to grow.
I stare at the ring in its box that I’ve been hiding, hopefully successfully, for the last six months. It was my grandmother’s, a family heirloom, and I’m hoping that everything goes as planned tonight.
I never thought that Julia would ever be able to leave the city behind and delegate her business to the CEO she hired. But she has. She travels to her office at Put Me To Work once a month to check in, sign off on things, and take care of any meetings she needs to be a part of. Other than that, she helps me around here, reads, and has become the pillar of serenity. Gone are the days of her being on her phone or computer twenty-four-seven. I couldn’t be happier and from what I can tell, neither can she.
There’s a knock at the door, and Mom and Parker walk in. At least they’re knocking first now.
“Okay, everything is set. I just have to get Julia out of here for a bit while you boys set up the yard,” Mom says as she rushes to the back door. “Jules!” I hear her call as she steps into the yard.
“You know you’ve made Mom’s whole life with this, right?” Parker chuckles, taking a seat at the table. “Yeah. Julia’s made my whole life.” I smile, thinking how just a year ago I was out here on the ranch alone. I had set my mind to the fact that I would be alone forever, woodworking, raising cattle and just enjoying the Texas sky. Hell, I didn’t even answer my phone half the time. To think two scheming little old ladies took my future into their own hands and sent me a gift I didn’t even think I wanted. Julia.
“Alright, boys, we’re off. Ya’ll have fun with your… Well, whatever it is you’re going to do,” my mother singsongs as she and Julia walk through the kitchen.
I grab Julia as she passes by, pulling her tightly to my chest, and placing my lips firmly against hers. After a beat, she pulls away and puts her fingers in my scruff.
“I’ll be back soon, cowboy.” Up on her tiptoes, she smacks another kiss to my lips and saunters out the door after my mom.
“Let’s get to work,” I tell Parker when Mom and Julia have pulled out of the drive.
The sun has set, taking the humid air with it. A cool breeze washes over my backyard, almost blowing out the candles set on the table in the middle of it. Parker and I spent the afternoon setting up the yard with string lights, flowers, and a candlelit table for two. I tried to make it reminiscent of the first real date I took Jules on when I shared my secret. Tonight, I’m hoping to share more with her than just my home and my dog.
Julia calls out to me as she steps into the backyard. She stops, her mouth agape and a sheen in her eyes. Mom took her on a girls' day for this. Shopping, hair, the whole nine. I’m standing here, next to the table, in jeans, boots, a black sport coat, and my Stetson. I drink her in. She’s wearing an emerald-colored dress that highlights her blazing red hair and stunning green eyes. Eyes that are now spilling over with tears.
“What.. How… Ryan,” she stammers, running over to me and jumping in my arms. “This is beautiful. It’s like our…” her words trail off, so I pick them up for her.
“Our first date. I thought you deserved a special treat without the bustle of the city.” I place her back on the ground before planting my fingers in her hair and bringing her mouth to mine. Our kiss lasts only moments, but her scent and the little whimper she releases stay with me always.
After we finish our meal, I hit a button on a little remote I have in my pocket next to the ring.
“Care to dance with me, darlin’?” I say, holding out my hand. She takes my hand and stands, walking straight into my embrace. We sway to the music, her hair tickling my chin as she lays her head on my chest. As if I gave him the cue, Rusty springs from the back porch and barrels right toward her greenhouse. She releases me, spinning to yell at him. I take that moment to drop to a knee, holding out the little ring box before me. She goes to stalk off after him, but I let out a whistle and he stops. She turns back to me, assumingly to yell, but instead is shocked at the sight before her.
“Ry,” she whispers.
“Jules, if you had told me a year ago that an intruder coming into my home in the middle of the night would lead me to the love of my life, I would have laughed in your face. Now, I’m so thankful for those two meddling old women we call our mothers. You’re the sunshine to my grumpy, the light of my life, and the glue that repaired my fractured heart. When I think of the future, I see nothing but you. You’re everything to me. Please say you’ll make me the happiest cowboy in all of Texas and be my wife. Marry me?”
She drops to her knees in front of me, peppering kisses all over my face. I chuckle. “Is that an answer?” I ask, loving the way she’s assaulting me with her love.
“Yes, Ryan. I’d love nothing more than to be your cowgirl. Forever.”
