“Birdie called her Luna, but you can pick any name you want.”
“Luna,” I whisper with a smile, studying her soft little face. “It’s perfect.”
Shep scoots closer, resting his hand on my knee. “I promise you’ll have more time to get acquainted in a few minutes, but I have another surprise, and she has to get off the bed for it.”
“What’s the matter, cowboy? If you wanted an excuse to get me alone, you should have said so.” I adjust Luna into one arm, using my free hand to give Shep’s thigh a playful squeeze.
A low laugh rumbles in his chest. “Trust me, I’d take you up on the offer on any other day, but this surprise requires you to be upright.”
I raise a brow, holding Luna out to him. “Consider me intrigued.”
Shep takes her from me, carrying her over to a crate in the corner that he must have put there before I woke up. There’s a dog bed inside with several toys. He gives her a duck toy to play with and pats her on the head. He leaves the crate door open,but she’s too preoccupied with playing to notice Shep returning to my side of the bed.
He takes his time, walking slowly. I notice his shoulders are tight, and he keeps rubbing his hands along his pant legs. Usually, he’s calm as a clear sky—but right now, he’s visibly on edge.
In the past year, a lot has changed for us both. He spends most weeknights at High Noon, and I often join him to record a podcast or to keep him company while he works. He even participates in a weekly poker game with Casey and some locals now. I usually spend those evenings with Amy and their baby, Cam. We order pizza and binge-watch the latest episode ofLove Island.I’m glad for the friendships I’ve built in Pine Haven. The small town has quickly become my favorite place, and I’m proud to call it home.
I scoot to the edge of the bed, swinging my feet over the side.
“You alright?” I ask Shep, noticing a sheen of sweat on his forehead.
He nods, moving to stand in front of me. “Reckon I’m nervous. I have a very important question to ask you, and I don’t want to mess this up.” My stomach does a flip when he drops to one knee and takes my hands in his. “You’ve become my constant—the sunshine that chased away every bit of gray. I’ve wanted to make you mine since the day you showed up on my doorstep, and I can’t think of a more perfect time to ask you to be my wife than on this Christmas Eve morning with just the two of us.” He pauses, swallowing hard, and I give his hands a reassuring squeeze. “You’re the person I want to wake up next to every day for the rest of my life, and nothing would make me happier than you agreeing to spend forever with me.”
My heart is hammering so hard it feels like it could burst, and I realize this is the easiest decision I’ve ever made.
“Yes, of course. I’ll spend forever with you.” I throw my arms around him, burying my face in his neck.
This is what I’ve been hoping for since the day he asked me to stay in Pine Haven. I fall more in love with Shep with each passing day, and being with him has been nothing short of a dream. Together we’ve learned to cherish every moment—the mundane ones, the silly ones, and the life-changing ones like this. I’ve pictured him asking me to be his wife so many times, and now that he has, it feels surreal.
When I pull back, Shep fishes a ring from his pocket and slides it on my finger. The three-carat pear-shaped diamond glints in the morning rays.
I trace the intricate design with my fingertip. “It’s beautiful.”
“Only the best for my sunshine girl.” He cups my cheek and kisses me, leaving me dizzy.
“I can’t wait to tell Gemma and my parents,” I exclaim.
In the past year, Shep has met everyone important in my life. My parents have spent most of their time on cruises and traveling through Europe, but fortunately, we were able to spend two weeks with them in New York this past summer. My mom was smitten with Shep the moment they met—though that might have something to do with the two dozen yellow roses he brought her.
My dad, on the other hand, was initially skeptical because of our age difference. However, after seeing how happy I am with Shep and how well he treats me, he gradually came around.
Shep chuckles. “You won’t have to wait long to tell everyone.”
I furrow a brow. “Are they expecting a call from us?”
He shakes his head. “Not exactly.” Shep takes a seat next to me on the bed, his hand resting on my leg. “You’re going to put on a pretty dress and the cowgirl boots we picked out last week because we’re going to Cactus Bloom Café for Christmas Eve breakfast to celebrate.”
One of the things I love most about Shep is that he always thinks of everything.
“You’re just full of surprises this morning, aren’t you?”
“Gemma, Birdie, and your parents all flew in to Pine Haven last night, and we’re spending the next week with them.” He lifts my left hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my ring finger. “After I asked your dad for his blessing last month, I knew we’d want everyone here to celebrate our engagement and your favorite time of year.”
My mouth falls open, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Sure am. They’ll all be waiting at the diner in an hour.”
“Thank you, Shep. Having them here will make it even more special.”
