Carson
Carson
“I’ll call you when I’m ready to go home.” At least he's acting like that's what he'll be doing.
“Have fun!” Daphne waves. “You sure you’re okay taking care of Oreo?”
“Yeah.” He gives a thumbs-up. “Y’all have a good time.”
It should probably concern me that he’s such a good actor. Based on his performance alone, Daphne would have no clue that I’m about to propose. But my sweaty palms might give it away. Or the thudding of my heart.
Christmas has been magical. Last year was great, like the year before. But this one has been the best yet.
After dragging my hand down my jeans, I clasp hers. “Thanks for sneaking away with me for a bit.”
“Happily.” She squeezes my hand.
If she has any idea what’s coming, she doesn’t let on.
Holding her hand, I drive to the back entrance of the ranch. I intentionally waited until sunset to steal away. More romantic that way.
“I know you didn’t want to leave Oreo.”
“She’s just so cuddly and cute.” Daphne grins. “And watching Fred playing with her warms my heart.”
After entering the code, I drive down the road and stop not far from the cabin. “Even though it’s chilly out, I thought we could walk a bit.”
“How’s your leg? It isn’t hurting, is it?”
“My leg is good. Pretty much back to normal.”
“Are we going to our tree?”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
“Perfect. I love that spot.”
I take her hand, and we walk down the trail and across the river. Before rounding the bend and walking toward our first-kiss tree, I pause and pull her close. “This has been a good Christmas.”
“The best.” She inches up and presses a kiss to my lips. And I can almost see the wheels turning in her head as she says, “You know I love you. Oreo is just an added excuse to visit. But while we were opening presents this morning, I just…” She rests her head on my chest.
Waiting, I rub her back.
She lifts her head, tears glistening in her eyes. “Y’all feel like family. Not just you. Fred too, and I love it.”
That sums up why this Christmas is the best. “Same. This felt like a storybook Christmas. Minus the part where Oreo snagged the breakfast sausage off my plate.”
“She’s so fast. And now we know not to set plates down when she’s anywhere around.”
I nod and rub my finger, the battle scar incurred when fighting for my breakfast. “For sure. But I agree in every way. It’s been an almost perfect day.”
“Almost?”
I tug her forward and start walking again. “I think we can make it even better.”
Mason, Fred, Kent, and Anderson came out earlier and using the ladder Beau insisted they bring along, strung up twinkle lights in our special tree and two others close to it.
And they’re all lit up. Three trees glowing in the darkness.
Daphne gasps.
I was intentional about staying where she could see me most of the day, which likely has her wondering how I pulled this off. It’ll mean a lot when she learns that Fred helped.
“It’s beautiful.” She walks to our tree and rests her back against it. “I’m not sure how you did this.”
I cradle one side of her face with my hand. “Elves helped.”
She leans her cheek into my hand. “I love it.”
“I love you, Daphne. Everything about you. And I wanted this to be perfect. A moment we’d never forget.
But because it’s December, I didn’t order rain.
Didn’t want us to be cold.” I give her a quick peck, then get down on one knee, a move I practiced in private a hundred times this week. “Daphne Emerson, will you marry me?”
Wiping tears, she bounces her head up and down. “Yes.” She hugs my neck as I stand.
I lift her off her feet, and when her lips meet mine, a cheer goes up as friends and my family pop out from their hiding spots.
“Carson, I am beyond surprised. I mean, I was hoping for a proposal, but having everyone here is amazing. How did I not see them?”
“Fred and I almost slipped up a few times this morning.” I glance at Fred and motion for him to join us. “And I waited until after the sun went down. Twinkle lights look better at night. It’s also much easier for people to hide.”
Fred walks up beside us, then spins around showing Daphne the kitty backpack and a very excited Oreo. “I didn’t leave her alone. She got to share in the moment. And I’m really glad you said yes.”
Daphne wraps her arms around Fred. “I love you, too. And I am excited to be your stepmom or whatever it is you want to call me.”
“Not sure what to call you yet.” He leans closer and whispers, “Love you too.”
I wave my arms for everyone to come closer.
Daphne’s mom takes halting steps toward us until Daphne opens her arms. Then she hurries in for a hug.
Rose is bouncing up and down, squealing. And Dallas is smiling.
We are surrounded by all our friends, who feel very much like family.
After several minutes of congratulations and celebration, everyone heads off toward the main house, leaving me alone with my fiancée under the twinkle lights.
“You made the day so much better.” Daphne runs a hand down my shirt.
I sweep her off her feet and cradle her in my arms. “Once upon a time, I thought you were too pretty for me. That someone like you wouldn’t even look twice at a guy like me.
But meeting you and getting to know you changed my life.
I don’t want to even think about life without you.
I tried it, and it wasn’t fun. Because of you, I’m more confident in who I am. Thank you for that.”
She pushes on my chest. “Don’t carry me. Your leg.”
“Is fine. If it starts to hurt, I’ll put you down.”
“Are you sure?” She wraps her arms around my neck when I nod. After kissing my cheek, she says, “My happily-ever-after started the moment you pulled me out of the upside-down car. That wreck totaled my poor car, but because of it, I met you. And I cannot wait to marry you.”
I carry her down the trail and to the truck. “Big wedding or small?”
“Big enough so that all our friends and family have a place to sit. But not so large that it takes ages to plan.” She reaches out to open the passenger door. “I want to be your wife.”
I’m looking forward to that so much that it’s hard to express with words. “I want you too.”
Delight and desire sparkle in her eyes, and she slips a hand inside my shirt. “I love you.”
I’m hoping Lilith has connections that can help us plan a wedding in short order because I’m eager to be married to Daphne. “Did you know that Oreo slept in Fred’s bed the last two nights. When you move in for real, you can sleep in mine. It’s only fair.”
Laughing, she pulls me to her lips.
We spend the next several minutes kissing. At this rate, it’s going to take us an hour to make it back to the main house, where everyone is waiting to celebrate with us.
My phone dings, and I check the message, then turn the screen so that Daphne can see the text from Fred.
Fred: There’s cake, and we all want some. Can you maybe kiss after we celebrate?
I give her one more quick peck. “We should get over there before our teenager dies of cake starvation.”
“Absolutely. That would be the worst.”
“Wait! I forgot something important.” I reach into my pocket. “I’m not sure it’s official without a ring. I was so focused on what to say that I completely forgot the ring.”
She holds out her hand, and I slide the ring into place on her finger.
“I love it. And my answer is still yes.” She holds the solitaire under the dome lights, and glow refracts throughout the cab. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Like you.”
Hand in hand, we drive back to the other side of the ranch. Daphne is beaming, and I’m happier than I ever thought possible.
She makes me believe in fairy tales.