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“Yeah, well . . . I knew it was the right thing, even if your mom didn’t really want to see me.”
“Like I said, she’ll eventually come around.”
“She already did,” Macie said in a quiet tone.
“What?”
“Ruby and I gave her a present.” Macie then explained the rest of what Heidi had said to her. “So . . . I think that means she’s okay with everything. I mean, you and me, together.”
Holt didn’t move, didn’t speak for a moment.
Now, Macie’s pulse was racing for another reason. Once they crossed this line, things would be more official. What if after all of this, Holt had changed his mind? She stole another glance at him. He still hadn’t moved, but his eyes were trained on hers.
“Say something, Holt,” Macie said. “You’re making me nervous.”
He lifted one of her hands from the rail, then brought it to his mouth. He pressed his lips against the back of her hand in such a gentle gesture that it took her breath away.
Then his other hand wrapped around her waist as he drew her away from the fence. Macie’s heart hammered as he slid both of his arms around her, then leaned his forehead against hers.
“Do you think you could be happy with me, darlin’?” he murmured.
Her breath hitched. “I’m already happy with you.”
He smiled, but said, “I mean all of what comes with me. Here. The ranch. Living in Prosper. I know it’s asking a lot, and that you have plans in San Antonio.”
She closed her eyes as he trailed his fingers along her jaw. “How long will you wait for me?” she asked.
His fingers continued down her neck then across her collarbone, as if he were memorizing her. “As long as you need.”
“So you’d wait six months?”
“Mmm hmm,” he rumbled.
“A year?”
“Sure thing, darlin’.”
She slid her hands up his chest, over the soft cotton of his shirt, then behind his neck. “Two years?”
“Yep.”
She heard the smile in his voice.
“You’re a patient man, Holt Prosper,” she teased.
“Just tell me when, darlin’—tonight, tomorrow, or in five years—and when you’re ready, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
The night had stilled, and not even the breeze made a sound. It was quite possible that her heart had also stopped. “You can’t mean that,” she whispered. “I’ve only been in Prosper for a month.”
Holt lifted his head and released her to cradle both sides of her face with his hands. “Remember that one summer day when you brought me peach lemonade and told off ole Briggs?”
Macie smiled. “Yes.”
“That was the moment I knew I’d fallen in love with you.” He shifted one of his hands behind her neck. “It took me a little longer to accept my fate. But I love you, Macie, with all my heart.”
She blinked back the hot tears that had sprung up. “How is this possible?”
“Maybe I can’t explain it, but it happened,” he said. “And there’s no going back for me now.”
