Page 81 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

Oh, how he got her. She curled into his side. “Those flowers are for you.”

He kept one arm around her and reached for the bouquet with the other. “This is the first time I’ve gotten flowers.”

“Do you like them?” she asked.

“Very much,” he said. “And now I believe I’m going to have to go all out to make sure you feel as special as you are making me feel right now.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

“All the same, I’ve got some ideas,” he said and set the bouquet in his lap. “Did you know the blue rose represents true love?”

She leaned up and grinned at him. “How do you know?”

“I know what all the colors stand for. The red is for love, and the white is for new beginnings. It was not by accident that I sent you those red-tipped yellow roses. I had a real bad crush on you.”

“And now it’s blossomed into something so much more,” she said, teasing.

He kissed her again. Then they unpacked the picnic basket and enjoyed a bit of their feast. There were apologies given for words said that fateful Sunday and new promises made. There were secrets shared and more kisses exchanged.

The food stashed away and the stars twinkling above, Asher unfolded a second blanket and draped it over Kelley’s legs. He took her hand in his and said, “The only place I want to be is beside you.”

“What about New York and your career?” Kelley asked and linked their fingers together.

“I thought it might be time to flip the script. I want to put a cowgirl and love first this time around. What do you think?”

“I think I want you in my life,” she said. “And if that means your job is in New York, then I’m prepared to figure that out with you. But I don’t want to lose you.”

“I don’t deserve you.” He kissed her softly. “But I’m still not letting you go.”

She tightened her grip but left her heart wide-open. “Neither am I.”

“I want to build something with you here in Gold Finch,” Asher said. “Something my dad and Dylan would be proud of. Something lasting. Something that is ours.”

Kelley searched his face. “It sounds like you are talking about…” Her heart was so full already.

“I’m talking about commitment and marriage. Children and family.” He shifted to face her on the blanket and took both her hands in his. “I’m talking about arguing and making up. Laughing and crying. And holding hands through every single up and down.”

“And not giving up,” she whispered, her heart overflowing. “Or letting go.”

“Exactly.” His smile came slow and curved up until it reached his eyes. “Kelley Munroe, will you marry me?”

Kelley gasped and said his name, although it was as fragile as mist.

“I should be on one knee,” he said, his gaze solemn. Yet, his voice was undeniably steady and strong. “I should have a ring. And a big proposal plan.”

Kelley swallowed and blinked. Still, she felt those tears coming.

“But I’m leading with my heart. And this feels so very right.” He reached up and framed her face in his hands, carefully and tenderly. “Please marry me, Kelley. I can’t promise it will always be perfect. But I can promise I will love you always.”

“Yes.” The tears slipped free. “It will always be yes.” Kelley kissed her cowboy as fireworks lit up the night sky.

And she finally knew what deliriously happy felt like.

It was wishes granted.

It was dreams answered.

It was a cowgirl and a cowboy and a love worth building a future on.