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I'm still wearing my rumpled dress from the party the night before. A lifetime of things have happened since I put it on in my bedroom back in Connecticut.
I take my usual place on Adam's left. The sideboard is heaped with food, and I suspect Midge cooks when she's anxious because there are stacks of pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, fruit and juice.
I reach for my napkin and notice an envelope with my name on it. It's Boone's handwriting.
Curious, I open it and a small square of paper falls out. I pick it up, confused.
"It's a North Starr tattoo," Boone explains. "It's only temporary, but we'll get you the real thing as soon as we can. Assuming you want to join our family."
Speechless, I glance around the table at Boone, Deacon and Caleb. I feel like my heart might explode.
To my right, Adam clears his throat and I turn his way to see him on one knee, an open ring box in his hand. "It was my mother's," he says, a catch in his throat. "I'd be honored if you'd wear it and be my wife."
How could I say no to that?
EPILOGUE
KIT
"Happy New Year, Mother," I say into my cell phone and then brace for impact. It's been a week since Adam and I ran off from her Christmas Eve party and no doubt left plenty of tongues wagging in our wake.
I texted my father on Christmas Day to let him know I was safe. Cowardly? Yes, but I just wanted to enjoy my time with Adam and the rest of the family without a lot of holiday strife from my mother.
But, it's been a week and it's time to face the music, so to speak.
"Oh, Kit darling, I'm so pleased to hear from you. Happy New Year, dear. And to Adam and Boone and all the rest of them too." She actually does sound pleased. I hold my phone back and stare at the screen to make sure I've dialed the correct number. Yeah, it's her.
"Thank you, Mother," I reply hesitantly. I'm tiptoeing through a minefield here and likely to blow my foot off at any moment. "I'll pass that on to Adam and Boone."
"Wonderful. I'm sorry I wasn't able to spend more time with Adam when he was at the party. I'm sure he's a charming man."
Spend more time with Adam when he was at the party? Like he was an invited guest? Doesn't she remember that he was barely there for fifteen minutes before we took off?
I try to figure out what her game is, but decide to press my luck. "Adam has asked me to marry him, Mother. And I said yes."
She squeals and it hurts my ear. "Well, he did ask our permission to marry you, so I expected that, but I was afraid he might change his mind."
"Why would he change his mind?"
"Oh, no reason dear. The important thing is that you're now officially engaged. I assume he gave you a ring?"
It hits me. Hard. Now I understand what she's up to.
"Yes, he did. It's his mother's ring and it's quite lovely."
"His mother's ring?" She sounds disappointed, but continues fishing for information. "I happened to Google Adam's ranch after the two of you left," she starts and I roll my eyes, knowing where this is going.
"North Starr Ranch is wonderful," I say. "Did you see any pictures?"
"Heavens, yes! It's huge. Almost too big if you ask me. Sort of gawdy, but you know, that's how new money is sometimes." There she is, the mother I know and tolerate, pouring kerosene on my happiness. But she doesn't have the power to upset me now. I have everything and everyone I want right here at North Starr Ranch.
Sure, I want her to be happy and I don't wish bad things for anyone, but what she thinks of me or anyone else is of zero importance to me.
"I had no idea that Boone came from the wealthiest ranch in Montana," she coos. "She's such a sweet girl."
"Okay, Mother," I cut her off because I just can't take any more of this crap from her, "I've got to go. I just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and let you know that Adam and I have set a wedding date. It'll be in a few months, after Boone and I get The Love Knot up and running. It's going to be the first wedding at North Starr Ranch's new party venue."
"B-but, I thought you'd get married here. At the country club."
