Page 101 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“Sierra, I don’t ever want to end up like my dad. I told him it wasn’t too late, and I gave him your card. I told him about the children’s shelter, and that he could be a dad in spirit by helping those kids and making a donation. I guess he decided to do that.”

“Oh, my, yes he did. I think Bert was close to fainting. I have the note your dad wrote.”

“Because of you, we’ve made peace.”

“I’m thrilled. I’m so, so happy. Thank you. Blake, he sent us a huge check for a quarter of a million dollars for the children’s shelter. We can take more kids now, and pay tutors and... I’m thrilled.”

“Oh, I have something—just wait. Don’t go anywhere and don’t do anything while I go get what I brought you.”

“A present? The only thing I can give you right now is a dog.”

“That’s not the only thing,” he said, grinning slyly at her. She shook her head.

She watched him walk away and thought about the day she’d had—Mr. Sedgewick, the check, Blake on her doorstep, in her arms, in her bed. He loved her. The best of all possible days.

Blake returned, slipped beneath the sheet and turned to her. “I have to ask your dad for your hand in marriage.”

“You know that’s an old-fashioned custom that you don’t have to do anymore.”

“Why do I feel that I would make a better impression on your minister father if I did it?” He placed a long box in her hand. It was wrapped in pink paper and tied with a wide pink silk ribbon.

“For you, darlin’,” he said.

Curious, she opened it and gasped as she looked at a beautiful gold chain necklace with a heart-shaped pendant covered in diamonds and a large diamond in the center.

“That, my love, is a gift from me to you because you are having our baby,” he said solemnly.

“Blake, that is gorgeous. It’s the most beautiful necklace ever. Thank you,” she said.

“Turn around and let me put it on.”

She laughed. “In bed—that’s ridiculous, but okay.” She sat quietly while he fastened it around her neck. She looked down at the brilliant diamonds. “Blake, it’s beautiful. I love it. Thank you.”

He kissed her and she held him tightly, kissing him in return. He shifted and took her hand in his. “This ring is also for you,” he said, opening her hand. “Sierra Benson, will you marry me?”

She smiled at him in delight. “Yes, oh, yes, I will. I love you, Blake Callahan,” she added.

“Hold out your hand,” he said, slipping the ring on her finger. She looked down at a dazzling emerald-cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds.

She gasped. “Blake, that is magnificent. My word,” she said, sounding breathless and holding her hand out to turn it, letting the diamonds catch the light and create small rainbows. “This is the most beautiful ring ever, in all of history.”

He laughed. “It’s pretty.”

Suddenly her smile vanished. “Blake, what will I do about the agency? I promised my grandfather I would keep it going and work to help others.”

“First of all, you’re pregnant, so focus on that for now. The time will come when you can get back to your work with the agency. I’ve got enough money, and the agency has enough money to keep going. Bert can run things while you’re away. If you want, you can have another branch in Dallas. How’s that?”

“There will be a lot of back and forth because of all my family living here.”

“That’ll be easy. I have my own jet. We have cars. You’ll be able to get back and forth when you want to, or bring your folks to see us. Okay?”

“Okay. You’re worth making a few little sacrifices for,” she said.

He grinned. “Thank heavens for that.”

“I still think this is the most beautiful ring.” She admired it until he leaned close to kiss her, and she wrapped her arms around him to hug him tightly.

Later, still in each other’s arms, he said, “Let’s have this wedding soon.”