Page 71 of Make Me Yours, Cowboy
“And then there are little moments like this.Where you make that gesture, or when your eyes flash with passion, or your breathy sounds when I kiss you.Aury, the fact of the matter is, there really isn’t one moment, nor was there a time I can look back on where I didn’t love you for all of who you are.The thing that amazes me is that each new thing I learn is one more thing to love about you.And I know that’s not going to stop, even if you tell me to shove off and leave you alone.Again, since you’ve done that once.You should know that only made me love you more, though.”
Aurelie laughed through tears that barely fell before Jace wiped them with the pad of his thumb.
“You’re right.”
Jace laughed again.“I want that in writing,” he said.His eyes shone, and she tucked the moment away for later, when she might need it on a dark night.“But right about what, specifically?That I love you?”
“That I love you.You’re arrogant, far too good-looking for your own good, and really, the fact that you’re a decent rancher after five minutes should make me hate you, but—”
He kissed her, stopping her speech.She didn’t mind one bit.Except…
She broke away from the kiss.
“But, I love everything about you, too, Jace.No teasing, just…love.You took care of me, of my friends, and I’ll never forget that.”
“I’d do it again, you know.”
“I do.”
Jace smiled then.Before she understood what was happening, he was on one knee in front of her.
“I’m hoping you’ll say those two words again, this time in front of all our friends and family.”
“What two words?”she asked.Her hands trembled as he took them in his.
“I do.Aurelie, will you marry me?For real this time, and for no other reason than you want me to annoy you with my arrogance and kiss you senseless every day for the rest of our lives.To raise our daughter—I’m assuming”—he chuckled, “and have a few more kids with you.”
Aurelie smiled, the tears that fell those of pure joy.
“I will,” she said.
“Okay, I’ll take those two words for now.But I can’t wait to make you mine again, Aury.”
“Every day, Mr.Michaels.I’ll be yours every day for the rest of our lives.”
His kiss was as passionate as it was filled with promise.
“I’m counting on it, Mrs.Michaels.”
With those words, Aurelie felt her body relax, her mind calm.She would be okay.They all would.Steve’s grief crossed her mind briefly, but even he had something to live for: a beautiful baby girl, Jaqueline.
And Aurelie would be able to see them all heal, alongside her husband and growing family.Life was hard, but it was also so beautiful.For that, and so many things, she was happy.Happy and in love.What could be better than that?
The End
