Page 57 of Christmas Ransom

Carla realized that she hadn’t moved, that she’d barely taken a breath.

“Going somewhere?” he asked. Snow was beginning to collect on his Stetson.

She glanced back at her SUV, now loaded with only what she’d thought she’d need on the road. When she turned back, he was almost to her.

“Thought I’d see what life was like on the open road,” she said, surprised that her voice sounded almost normal around the lump in her throat. What was he doing here? “I was going to start in Arlington. Don’t you have a ride there?”

He took a step closer. The love she saw in his blue eyes was her undoing. She felt tears rush to her eyes even as snowflakes caught on her lashes. All she got out was his name before she was in his arms. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

When he finally drew back, he asked, “You really quit your job?”

“It was just a job.” He grinned at that. “Davy—”

He touched a finger to her lips. “There’s something I need to say to you first. I got down the road. Almost made it to Dodge City when I realized my heart was no longer in rodeo. I’d left it in Montana with you. Carla, I love you, have for years, always thinking that one day I’d come back and we’d be together.”

“But I was coming to you.”

He laughed. “I see that.” His smile broadened even as he shook his head. “Coming so close to almost losing you made me realize what I really want. What I’ve always wanted. I said you were afraid to live life? Well, I was the one who was hanging on to what had become familiar as well. So I turned around and I came home. I want a life with you.”

“But you can have that and rodeo too,” she said, motioning toward her packed car as snow began to fall harder. “I’ve already talked to a Realtor about selling the house—”

Davy shook his head. “You can’t sell it. We’re going to need somewhere to live until our house is built on the ranch. I’m not going back, Carla. This is where I belong. It’s what I’ve always wanted.” His gaze met hers. “You. This isn’t how probably either of us pictured this...” He dropped down into the snow on one knee. “Will you marry me?”

“Davy.” She was laughing as she dropped down next to him. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” he said and kissed her. As far as winter kisses went, this was the best one yet.

“Was that a yes?” Davy asked, pulling back from the kiss.

“No, this is a yes,” she said, and cupping his handsome face, she drew him to her for another kiss.

That’s where his brothers found the two of them after James got a call from someone who’d just seen Davy drive past pulling his horse trailer. It didn’t take them long to figure out where Davy was headed—if true.

“What are you two kids doing?” James demanded as he and his brothers climbed out of their rig and walked toward where the two were kneeling in the snow. Snowflakes whirled around them all as Davy and Carla got to their feet, laughing.

“We’re getting married,” Davy announced and put a protective arm around her. “Anyone have a problem with that?”

“About damned time,” James said. The Colt brothers all laughed.

“No problem at all,” Willie said.

“I think this calls for blackberry brandy down at Dad’s office,” Tommy said. It had become a celebration ritual, and now Carla was part of it—and part of this big, rowdy family. She couldn’t believe this was happening, especially since she’d always planned her life down to the minute.

She looked over at Davy. For so long she’d pictured their perfect life together. She laughed now, realizing she had no idea what was ahead for the two of them. More surprising, she’d never felt more free or more excited. All she knew was that with Davy—and this family of his—it would be a wild ride.