Page 33 of A Montana Childhood Promise (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Four Months Later

It had taken everything in Noah’s control to not immediately whisk Jane away and make her his officially. He’d seen the reservation in her eyes when she’d brought up the pact, and he knew she was just trying to make him feel better.

But that had been four months ago.

Now, they were stronger than ever. She was still working at The Wounded Heroes Project in the same capacity, but now, she was also sitting in on some of the board meetings so she could give input relevant to local chapters of the charity.

They spent more time at the ranch, riding and learning the ins and outs of country living. Jane seemed to prefer her time out on the trails, especially when it meant she could take in the priceless views that surrounded them.

Neither one of them had brought up the pact since that point, and he had a feeling it was due to the strained position they’d been in the last time it came up.

That reason alone was why his hands were currently shaking.

He stared down at the ring in his hand, fully prepared for the possibility that he might have a heart attack right here.

In thirty minutes, he’d be picking up Jane for their date. And in thirty minutes, he’d be telling her that he couldn’t live a second longer without swearing that he would belong to her forever.

Noah flipped the ring box shut and shoved it in his pocket.

He moved to the desk in his room and picked up the folder filled with all the legal documents that he would need in order to make this proposal one she would never forget.

He’d worked with his cousins to make this happen, and he knew Jane wouldn’t be able to refuse.

So why was he so nervous?

Because she was his dream girl.

She’d been his dream girl from the moment Mack had introduced them as teens. Even though he knew she loved him, there was that twinge of doubt. Was she ready to settle down with a guy like him?

Ever since his identity had been revealed to the country, his life hadn’t been nearly as private.

He got more calls to attend events than he had time to commit.

He’d had to hire someone to take his calls while he was working at the ranch.

If Jane agreed to marry him, she’d be giving up another piece of herself to the public, and he wasn’t sure she was ready for that or even wanted it.

“Stop worrying so much. She’s going to say yes.”

Noah jumped and turned to find his cousin standing in the doorway.

At his frown, Reese chuckled. “Your mom let me in. I wanted to come by and ask for some advice. But after seeing how nervous you are right now, I’m thinking I can discuss this later.”

Noah gathered up the documents as he shot his cousin one more glance. “You saw that, huh?”

Reese grinned. “Yeah.” He jerked his chin toward where Noah had hidden the ring. “So, let’s see it.”

Noah dug his hand into his pocket and retrieved the ring box before flipping it open and turning it to show his cousin.

Rather than one large diamond, he’d picked out a ring with several small ones in an intricate design. It wasn’t flashy and wouldn’t draw much attention, but when someone took a good look at it, they’d see just how special it was.

“It’s perfect for her,” Reese mused. “She’s gonna love it.”

“You really think so?”

Reese gave him a pointed look. “Well, I mean, you know her better than I do. But yeah, from what I know about her… it’s perfect.”

Noah stared down at the ring again and nodded with a little more certainty. “Yeah. It is.”

“Then what do you have to be so nervous about?” Reese chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “She’s clearly in love with you. There’s no reason she’d say no.”

His words were laced with logic, and if Noah had been on the outside looking in, he would have suggested the same thing.

Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—he was in the thick of it, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Jane had turned him down since he was thirteen.

Her request a few months ago didn’t count, as far as he was concerned.

Still, Noah nodded and slipped the ring back into his pocket. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

It was minimal, but the frown on Reese’s face was enough to indicate that he didn’t believe Noah for a moment.

Forcing a smile, Noah attempted to change the subject. “You said you wanted advice about something?”

Reese waved a hand. “Just some financial stuff. But you’re busy. I’ll wait until we have some good news to celebrate. Where’re you taking her tonight?”

“It’s not where I’m taking her that’s the special part,” Noah murmured, glancing down at the folder containing all the information regarding the charity he’d set up in her name. “It’s what I’m offering her if she wants it.”

His cousin glanced at the folder with curiosity but didn’t push the question. “Well, I’m gonna say it’ll go exactly as planned. Don’t stress too much. This is Jane we’re talking about. She’s crazy about you. Don’t forget that.”

Noah nodded. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Reese chuckled as he headed from the room, leaving Noah to his thoughts again and hoping he could channel the courage he’d had when he was a teenager.

The second Jane opened her apartment door, Noah allowed his gaze to sweep over her appreciatively. She wore a pair of jeans and a casual blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she had the barest hint of makeup on her face.

Good. News hadn’t gotten out about his plans. The last thing he’d wanted was for her to know that he planned to propose. She flashed him a smile over her shoulder as she pulled the door shut and locked it. “You look nice.”

He glanced down at his own attire. He’d foregone his usual jeans and wore a pair of khakis instead.

He’d thought it was casual enough, seeing as she’d seen him in suits more often lately.

Noah didn’t give her a chance for anything else before he pulled her into his arms and pressed a kiss to her lips.

She let out a giggle, returning his kiss when it grew deeper. Breathless, she pulled back and studied him. “Everything okay?”

“Everything is perfect,” he insisted.

Jane grinned. “Good. Because I have to tell you something.”

He paused, hating that his head immediately went to places that weren’t healthy. She wouldn’t break up with him, would she? No. There was no sign of that. Reese was right. He needed to stop fretting. Today was like any other day.

She laughed, framing his face with her hands. “It’s not a bad thing. My mom wants us to come for Sunday dinner this weekend. She’s making it official. Every third Sunday is going to be family dinner instead of letting it jump around.”

Noah exhaled, which drew another laugh from Jane’s throat. He tightened his hold around her waist. “I’d like nothing more than to be part of your family.”

Jane eyed him even as a smile pulled at her lips. “I feel the same way.”

Their confessions hung in the air, and in that moment, Noah wanted to throw his well-laid plans to the wind and just ask her to be his right here. He couldn’t fight the smirk that appeared on his face when he withdrew from her and knelt to one knee.

She gasped, and he glanced up as he started tying his shoe.

Jane blinked several times when she finally realized what he was doing. Then she looked away, and an obvious blush filled her cheeks.

Her reaction was everything to him, and she didn’t even know it. Noah’s confidence surged, and he cocked his head at her. “Something wrong?”

Jane shook her head with a laugh. “It’s nothing.”

He tightened the laces once more and rose to his feet. “Let’s get going, then, shall we?”

She nodded, slipping her hand into his.

In town, they made their way down the main street, and he guided her into the Sip-n-Shop.

The deli-style diner was one of her favorites.

They hadn’t come here all that often, but when she had a lunch break, Jane often ordered something to go.

She sat across from him, her eyes alight with excitement.

“I heard the good news. The Billings location is moving to a larger building. Do you really think we’ll get any interest on the housing side of things?”

Noah nodded, taking a sip of his water. “I do. I want to get as many veterans out of traditional shelters and off the street as possible. Did you see the proposal for the other services offered?”

Jane nodded. “I’m so excited to see how the therapeutic services are going to go over. Those people need this kind of help so much. They deserve everything we can do.”

He nodded. Noah could listen to Jane talk all day about the people of this town and those who had served their country. It was the main reason for the charity he’d started in her name. They continued to talk about the other opportunities he wanted to offer at the center until their food arrived.

Conversation drifted to various other subjects as they ate.

She flirted a little and he loved that so much.

He felt so special when she was with him.

Their road had been bumpy as adults, but he knew that he was where he was meant to be at this moment in time.

Even more than that, he believed that Jane was meant to be with him as well.

There was joy and confidence in that knowledge.

He smiled to himself as he took his last bite of dinner. “I was going to see if you wanted dessert, but I think I have a better idea.”

She smiled and nodded as he paid so they could leave.

They headed for the Sweet Everything Bakery, and they shared one of the huge black forest brownies.

They’d just been able to grab the last one as the shop usually ran out of their signature treat even though they’d recently added a second bake every day after the lunch rush.

The sun was almost set and he hated to see their time together go by so fast.

Noah glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as she talked about some of the changes they were making at the local Rocky Ridge chapter of his charity. She had never known just how bright she shined for him.

He tugged a piece of paper from his pocket. It was a copy of the first page of the documents he had in that folder beneath his seat in his truck. Unfolding it, he leaned toward her and spread it out so the creases weren’t so noticeable.

Jane looked at him with curiosity, not understanding what he was doing.

Noah lifted his head. “What?”

She wagged a finger at him. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but you probably have some trick up your sleeve.”

One side of his mouth quirked upward. “No trick. I have something for you.”

Jane leaned closer, sucking on the tip of her finger to get the last of the brownie into her mouth.

Her eyes dipped to the document before she picked it up and scanned it.

Jane’s brows pulled together for a moment, then her eyes widened, and she gasped.

“Is this… you didn’t… Noah…” she breathed out with surprise. “Is this what I think it is?”

Noah took her free hand and clasped it within both of his. “What does it look like?”

She swallowed thickly, and her focus shifted to the paper.

She turned it around so she could read it.

“Equine therapy services offered to residents and visitors of Rocky Ridge in collaboration with The Wounded Heroes Project.” Her eyes flicked up to meet his, and her voice cracked slightly.

“It’s dedicated to my grandfather. And…” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed again, her whisper barely audible.

“And it says that I’m the one overseeing the project. ”

Noah watched her carefully. Emotion shone on her face, but it was the good kind.

He’d done well, and his heart swelled with the knowledge of that.

He offered her a boyish grin. “You said you’d consider marrying me if you could have a charity of your own.

” He nodded to the paperwork. “I’d like to think this meets the requirements. ”

Before he could utter another word or even retrieve the ring from his pocket, she flung herself into his arms. Jane peppered his face with kisses, tears tracking down her cheeks. “It’s. The. Most. Perfect. Offer. Ever,” she said between each kiss she placed on his lips.

He laughed, his hands finding her shoulders so he could situate her back on the bench where she’d been seated.

“Good. Because it would have been really embarrassing if I had to take this back.” He retrieved the simple engagement ring and held it up for her to see.

“You have been the one for me since we were kids. I knew it in my heart from the moment I laid eyes on you.”

“Noah…” she whispered, her hand fluttering to her throat as she listened.

“You are my whole world, and I would give up everything I own if it meant calling you mine.”

She let out a teary laugh. “I won’t ask you to do that.”

“I know,” he murmured, retrieving her left hand and bringing it to his lips. “You’re perfect for me. No one could be better suited. I love you, Jane.” He studied her expression for a moment before he slid the ring on her finger.

Jane stared at it for a moment before meeting his gaze again. Wordlessly, she wrapped him up in a tight embrace. He rose to his feet to make it easier, loving the feel of her pressed against him. Then, with five simple words, she made his world whole again.

“I love you, too, Noah.”