Page 131 of Peaches & Pistols

A pristine black cowboy hat.

His vasectomy better be infallible because I think I spontaneously ovulated seeing him with that hat.

“Mia.” Greyson’s voice is like gravel, tight with emotion. “You look so fucking pretty, honey.”

A gulp goes down like a rock as he steps towards me and gets down on one knee.

“Greyson.” I chuckle. “What are you doing, we’re already engaged, the wedding’s today.”

“But I never did it right, and a woman like you deserves every respect—to be treated like a queen. I promise to love and cherish you the rest of my days, put you first above all else, and work to make all your dreams a reality.”

A tear slips down my cheek and I don’t bother stopping it.

“Mia, make me the luckiest man and marry me.” His smile devastates me.

I pull him up by his face and kiss him with my reply.

A resounding, never-ending, yes.

44

Iclear my throat loudly. “If it’s okay, may I please have a moment alone in the garden?”

Looks are exchanged, but everyone hustles back into the main house without a fuss.

“You sure you want to be alone?” Greyson asks.

I look to the cloudless sky, the sun warming my face.

“I’m sure.”

Greyson heads inside, and I don’t relax until the patio door click shut.

“Hi, Charlie. I don’t know if you can hear me, out loud, in my thoughts, or my dreams, but believing you can is what’s gotten me through my toughest times. Just in case they don’t keep time the same where you are, today’s your earthly birthday.”

I pick a single wildflower from Cecelia’s garden and twirl it in my fingers, eyes closed, breathing in the mountain air.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday my Charlie, I love and miss you.”

“I ignored your bumps and nudges those years with him, but you’ve seen all that through my eyes. I trusted every push you gave me since I left, and you led me to Swiftwater. To Greyson. You saved me.

“I can confidently say Greyson would move mountains to keep me and our girls happy, healthy, and safe. You can hand over the reins to my cowboy, Charlie. He’s got it from here.”

A soft breeze dances across my skin, bringing a smile to my face.

“I love you too, Charlie.”

Not a tear is shed, because I know in my soul I’ve made the best decision of my life marrying Greyson.

I turn to the patio doors where he guards me like a sentry, legs spread, and arms crossed.

My soon-to-be husband raises an eyebrow, and I respond with a smile and a nod. His clap resonates from inside the house out to me as if he’s right next to me.

Everyone but Greyson and the girls file back out and takes seats on the patio furniture set up on the garden lawn.

I meet them in the house and close the door.

“Are we getting married?” Everly asks, bubbling over with excitement.