Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
“And that’s all that matters, right?”
“All that matters to me is you, my son, and this ranch. I don’t think I could be happier if I tried.” He cups my face, and our lips merge.
A throat clearing from behind interrupts us, and we pull apart. “Y’all can’t wait till you’re under your own roof to make out?” my mother scolds. Then she looks at Diesel. “I hope you take good care of her. You hear me?” She steps in and hugs me. “This is my baby.”
“Mom.” I grin. “I’m not going very far,” I remind her.
“But still. I wasn’t ready for this. Seems too soon.”
“If it helps, I’ll still come over and raid the fridge while you do my laundry.”
“Nice try.” She pats my butt.
Like clockwork, my father enters. He’s been working all morning and gives Diesel a curt nod. “You’re really leavin’?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Five minutes away,” I say. “You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
He pulls me in for a long hug. “I’ll always notice the absence of your bobby pins lying around the house and tripping over your boots you never put away.”
“Geez, it’s like you two want me to be here until I’m eighty.”
He pulls back and kisses the top of my head. “We’re gonna miss you. You know we will.”
“I’ll miss you guys too. As soon as I figure out how to cook, we’ll have you over for dinner.”
They both laugh and nod. I’ll have Maize help me.
“Well, we’re burning daylight. Let’s get your stuff loaded up and outta here,” my dad says and recruits Riley to help.
It only takes one trip to bring my essential boxes over. Since Dawson needs room for his things too, I left some of my stuff at my parents. Most of it I need to go through and toss or donate anyway. I don’t want to crowd the house with all my useless crap.
After everything is unloaded, I say goodbye to my parents and Riley, and then it’s just Diesel and me in a house surrounded by boxes.
“Well, this is it. No turning back now,” I tease as he wraps me up in his arms, and we fall onto the couch.
“You wouldn’t get very far. I’d chase you.”
I sit on his lap. “Ahh, yes. The stalker is back.”
“Always and forever, baby.” He cups my ass. “You’re mine.”
Smiling, I bring our lips together. “And I couldn’t be happier about it.”
EPILOGUE
DIESEL
FIVE MONTHS LATER
I can’t believe Rowan and I have been together for almost a year. Knowing that she took a chance on me and loves my son as much as I do is everything I could’ve ever wished for. Today’s the big Fourth of July party at the Bishop Ranch, but it’s also going to be a day to remember for everyone, especially Rowan.
John and Jackson are busy grilling burgers and hot dogs while the other men are setting up the firework display. Alex takes me off to the side, and Riley follows suit. “You ready for this?”
Riley looks at me, smiling. He’s finally somewhat used to me being with his sister, which is a relief.
I glance over my shoulder and see Chelsea sitting on a blanket next to Trace. Elle and Kenzie chat with Rowan as Dawson sits on her lap. I’m so goddamn lucky.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I tell him without hesitation. Riley calls one of his friends on the phone and makes sure all of my plans are in place. “You’ve got ten minutes.”
Alex gives me a side hug and grins. “Mama B is gonna start asking about babies.”
A chuckle escapes me. “She already has! What are you talkin’ about?”
“Before marriage?” Alex asks with his eyebrows raised.
I shake my head. “She said ring first, five babies second. In that order.”
“Of course she did.” Alex snickers before we go our separate ways.
Five minutes later, Alex turns on the stereo and blasts it while everyone sits on blankets and picnic tables, waiting for the sun to set so we can start popping fireworks.
“Life of the Party” by Shawn Mendes blasts through the speakers, and I walk across the pasture and mouth the words to Rowan. Her eyes widen with recognition and shock.
“What’re you doin’?” she mouths back.
Chelsea takes Dawson as I grab Rowan’s hand and pull her to her feet. I start dancing with her in front of everyone, re-creating the night of her winter formal when we first danced to her favorite song. I spin her around and dip her a few times until the airplane flies overhead. It’s low in the sky, and the engine’s loud, grabbing the entire town’s attention. Behind it flies a sign that reads: “Will You Marry Me, Rowan Bishop?”
Everyone in a fifty-mile radius can read it without a doubt. She looks up, then glances back at me, her lips parted.
“What does that say?” she asks just as I drop down on one knee.