Page 30
As soon Singer's truck pulls up to the end of the walk in front of Mom's place I'm frozen in place, my fingers nervously fidgeting with the tiny box in my pocket while I wait for Seri to get out of the truck and come toward me.
"Ranger?"
I hate seeing the nervous look in those pretty eyes of hers, the way she glances back at her friend as Singer stands by the truck, waiting to see what's going on, then the look she shoots at the small crowd my family makes as they gather at the front door, already knowing what's up.
"Is everything okay?"
Truth be told, I'd come to the conclusion that I'd never find myself doing this. In a town where people tend to get married and start their families fresh out of school, I thought it wasn't in the cards for me.
I'm for damn sure wishing I hadn't told my whole family I'd planning on proposing properly at supper tonight because right now, I'm wishing Ma, all three of the boys, and Gunner's girl, Clem, weren't all staring at me from the house, waiting to see if I make a damn fool of myself and how.
"Ranger? You look--off. Why's everyone staring?" Serenity stops directly in front of me, and speaks low, like she's scared of the answers.
I clear my throat and let her take my hands.
"You gonna do it, or what? We got food going cold in here!" Lance calls out, snapping me out of my daze.
"Yeah, baby, everything's perfect," I promise, leaning in for a kiss. "Almost."
I hit my knee, digging the box out of my pocket as I do.
"Serenity--" I start but don't get far into my practiced speech before Singer squeals from where she's still waiting by the truck.
Then Seri's eyes are lit up like Christmas tree lights and she's already shaking her head yes.
"You gonna let me ask properly?"
"Okay, but yes! The answer's already yes, Ranger, you know it is."
"Serenity," I flip open the little box and slide the ring onto her finger. My entire audience has already gone into celebration mode but I'm determined to get the question out in its entirety.
"Seri, baby, will you marry me?" I rush the words out, getting back on my feet and speaking right into her ear when she throws her arms around my neck.
"Of course, I'll marry you, Ranger."
On some level, I'm aware of the noise around us; Mom askin' Singer to stay for supper, Gunner saying his proposal to Clem was better, Lance askin' if we can eat now, and Mom trying to sound casual when she asks Archer Dean if he's seen Callie lately-- but my fiancée is kissing me like she's got a fire to put out and the last thing I care about is going inside for baked chicken and zucchini when I could stand out here with Seri all night long.
"Ranger?"
I hate seeing the nervous look in those pretty eyes of hers, the way she glances back at her friend as Singer stands by the truck, waiting to see what's going on, then the look she shoots at the small crowd my family makes as they gather at the front door, already knowing what's up.
"Is everything okay?"
Truth be told, I'd come to the conclusion that I'd never find myself doing this. In a town where people tend to get married and start their families fresh out of school, I thought it wasn't in the cards for me.
I'm for damn sure wishing I hadn't told my whole family I'd planning on proposing properly at supper tonight because right now, I'm wishing Ma, all three of the boys, and Gunner's girl, Clem, weren't all staring at me from the house, waiting to see if I make a damn fool of myself and how.
"Ranger? You look--off. Why's everyone staring?" Serenity stops directly in front of me, and speaks low, like she's scared of the answers.
I clear my throat and let her take my hands.
"You gonna do it, or what? We got food going cold in here!" Lance calls out, snapping me out of my daze.
"Yeah, baby, everything's perfect," I promise, leaning in for a kiss. "Almost."
I hit my knee, digging the box out of my pocket as I do.
"Serenity--" I start but don't get far into my practiced speech before Singer squeals from where she's still waiting by the truck.
Then Seri's eyes are lit up like Christmas tree lights and she's already shaking her head yes.
"You gonna let me ask properly?"
"Okay, but yes! The answer's already yes, Ranger, you know it is."
"Serenity," I flip open the little box and slide the ring onto her finger. My entire audience has already gone into celebration mode but I'm determined to get the question out in its entirety.
"Seri, baby, will you marry me?" I rush the words out, getting back on my feet and speaking right into her ear when she throws her arms around my neck.
"Of course, I'll marry you, Ranger."
On some level, I'm aware of the noise around us; Mom askin' Singer to stay for supper, Gunner saying his proposal to Clem was better, Lance askin' if we can eat now, and Mom trying to sound casual when she asks Archer Dean if he's seen Callie lately-- but my fiancée is kissing me like she's got a fire to put out and the last thing I care about is going inside for baked chicken and zucchini when I could stand out here with Seri all night long.