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“What’s going on, Zack?” She slid her hand into mine.
“Come on. I want to show you what all I’ve done since last weekend.”
She stood on her toes and kissed my cheek. “Okay. Lead the way.”
Her small hand fit perfectly in mine as we made our way across the pasture. Sugar Beans trotted to us and walked us slowly to the barn. If I listened closely, I could hear the faint murmur of guests huddled inside. I glanced at Sadie, who slowed as she saw the white hanging lights inside.
“Zack, what’s going on?” She came to a stop about ten feet from the opening of the barn.
“I love you, Sadie. That’s what’s going on.”
Sugar Beans circled us as Sadie’s eyes fastened on mine. The sun had traded for the light of the moon as my heartbeat thundered in my chest.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” I said with my voice barely above a whisper, not wanting the magic of the night to vanish.
“It is, Zack.” She licked her lips, and I desperately wanted to kiss her. “It’s so good to be back home with you. I miss you when I’m gone.”
I laughed. “That’s a good sign.”
She nodded. “I thought so.”
My fingers laced with hers, and I pulled her closer. She looked into my eyes as I bent my head to kiss her again.
Everything about tonight felt mystical and like a fantasy I’d spent a lifetime conjuring.
The tenderness in her kiss edged on fiery, and I knew if I didn’t stop, we’d never make it inside the barn.
I straightened, breaking our kiss, and her eyes stayed closed as she let out a little moan of satisfaction.
The evening air had cooled, but the heat between us remained fiery.
“I hope you’re surprised with the progress,” I said as she smiled at me.
“I’m always impressed with what you accomplish, Zack.”
I knew I never wanted to beg for her love. I wanted to earn it. I wanted to be the man she deserved. The guy she’d call if her car broke down. The one she’d lean on when things got hard. When her heart hurt more than it beat, I wanted to be the man I could be proud of, and tonight, I knew I didn’t need to beg for anything.
As we approached the new barn, the faint sounds of country music and muffled conversation drifted into the night air. Sadie stopped walking and looked up at me.
“What?” I asked with a curl of my lip. “I wanted to bring a little fun to your Friday night, you know. You’ve been studying hard.”
“That’s what this is all about?” she asked, raising her brows.
Damn. She was beautiful.
Her eyes brightened as we started toward the open barn door. The moment we walked inside, she gasped at the sight.
Her parents, sister, and her brother-in-law were all waving with a drink in their hands. Officer Carl gave a nod toward us while Ian took a few steps toward the stereo.
The soft light from lanterns cast playful shadows from our friends and family, who came out to support me and the love of my life.
I glanced at Sadie, and her eyes brightened with pure excitement as she darted toward her parents. We’d only seen them once since everything had happened.
Her mom had tears in her eyes as she held her daughter close. Elena wrapped her arms around them as I walked over to her dad and stuck out my hand for a shake, which he used to pull me into a strong embrace.
He gave me a knowing look as he let go and hugged his daughter.
“This is the best surprise ever, Zack. Thank you.” She grinned at me as Ian turned off the music, and she tilted her head.
