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“That’s right,” he said. “That feels like a lifetime ago.”
“Mmhmm,” Elise said, waiting for him to say more.
He took her hand in his and led her over to a fallen tree that was perfect as a bench. He sat beside her and looked into her eyes. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that time. I thought I was the same person then, but I’ve realized that I’ve changed a lot, and not all for the better.”
Elise swallowed hard as her heart picked up speed. “What do you mean?”
“Back then, I still wanted to work on the ranch, and I was pretty sure I was going to be a bachelor forever. But it was different. I still had friends, and we went on crazy adventures, and I looked at working on the ranch as fun and exciting. Not hard work and a heavy weight of responsibility.”
“What changed?” Elise asked.
He shrugged. “I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I think it was just getting older and seeing other people change. My brothers started getting married and having their own lives, and somewhere along the line, I went from thinking I just loved working the ranch and couldn’t imagine anything better to believing that if I didn’t do the work, everything would fail.” He shook his head. “Saying it out loud just sounds ridiculous, but it’s true.”
“And how do you feel now?”
“I’m so sorry for how I’ve acted. Elise, I’ve missed out on so many things because I couldn’t see past work. Even back then, when you could see that there was a connection between us, I was blind. I didn’t think I could have the ranch and a life, and because of that, I hurt you. Then we made the decision to commit to marriage, but I only saw that as a job. I was sure we could just be married on paper, and not fall for each other, but that was the most ridiculous thing.”
Elise took slow, deep breaths. “Are you saying we have fallen for each other?”
He turned then and took both of her hands in his and faced her straight on. “Elise, we fell for each other a long time ago. I just didn’t know it. Since we’ve been together, every day I’ve fallen more and more in love with you. I’ve only been too scared to say it out loud.”
Elise sniffed as tears began to roll down her cheeks. “Do you mean it, Garrett?”
He cupped her face with his hands then. “Yes. I love you, Elise. I believe I always have.”
“I love you too, Garrett, I’ve waited a long time to tell you.”
“I won’t make you wait another minute.” He gently put his arms around her, closing the distance between them.
Elise softly gasped just before their lips met. Garrett’s lips moved with hers, gently at first, sealing the promises they had made to each other. As he deepened the kiss, a wave of peace and comfort washed over her. She clung to him and pulled him closer, kissing him again and again, certain she would never be able to get enough of this moment that she had dreamed of.
When they parted, Elise felt the cool wetness on her cheeks and reached to wipe the tears away. “I truly never thought I would hear you say those words.”
“I’ll never stop saying them. I love you, Elise. Somehow it feels like my whole life has been leading up to this, only I didn’t know what was missing in my life until today. What was missing was life. You made me stop and realize there is life outside of work. I still love what I do, and I hope I always will, but at the end of the day, I want to put it aside and come home to my wife.”
Elise gasped softly. “I don’t think I’ve actually heard you call me that.”
Garrett dropped his gaze sheepishly. “I don’t know if I’ve said it. Elise,” he lifted his hand again to place it on her cheek. “I want you to be my wife. Not because you need help, but because I love you. I want to be with you always and share a full life together.” He paused then and stood.
Elise held onto his hands as she watched him kneel on one knee in front of her. He took her left hand and lifted it up, pointing to the ring on her finger. “I asked you before to marry me. I told you that I was making a commitment, and I would stick to it. Now, Elise, I’m asking you to be my wife. In every sense of the word. Will you be my wife, my partner in life, and share everything together?”
Elise took a deep breath and blew it out. “Yes, I will, Garrett. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
He stood then, and she did the same. As he reached for her, she easily moved into his embrace and lifted her chin to offer her lips again. Garrett breathed her in as he kissed her. He moved his hands to cradle the back of her head. She fell into him, and he couldn’t believe she was all his forever.
Elise was breathless when he leaned back to look at her. “I love you,” he said again.
“I love you forever, Garrett.”
Hand in hand, they walked towards the horses. “I think we still have time for a ride. Do you want to stay out here a while longer?” Garrett asked.
“Of course, I do. Any time you want to spend with me, I’ll take every moment.”
Garrett smiled at her. “And I plan to give you every moment I have.”
EPILOGUE
Lawson Macklin sipped on lemonade and tapped his toe to the music while he watched family and friends on the dance floor.
