Page 35 of When I Forgot Us (Blue River #1)

Three months later

Chase had been acting weird for days. She brushed it off at first as stress. They’d moved from summer into fall, away from calving season and into haying time. Long hours in the fields, combined with a current drop in the market, was enough to cause anyone a little extra stress.

So, she offered grace for his shifting moods and tried not to read too much into every situation.

And when he pulled her aside early on Saturday morning and asked if she wanted to take a ride with him, she accepted.

It wasn’t the first time they’d taken a random trail ride. Chase had learned it was one of her favorite activities and had made sure they rode out at least once a week.

She took the reins and mounted up. Bella snorted and stared at the pasture where the cows stood in a huddled group. Michelle stroked the silky neck and watched Chase from beneath her hat brim. “Where to?”

“I thought we’d ride over to the hay field. We cut it yesterday.”

“I can smell it already.” She breathed in the hints of fall, the hopeful crispness that brought memories of the apple festival and giant Christmas trees in the town square. “I asked your mom for her apple cider recipe.”

“What did she say?”

“She said if I wanted the recipe, I had to help her make it.” Michelle fixed her reins when they slid into Bella’s mane.

“Sounds like Mom.” He laughed but there was no genuine joy in the sound.

They rode away from the ranch and into the coolness of a nearby stream. Chase fidgeted in his saddle, causing a series of creaks that tickled her into poking him in the shoulder. “You seem nervous. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” He answered too quickly, his gaze sliding off to the side of the trail.

“Mm-hm.” A pitter-patter of unease fluttered her heart.

She ignored it. Things had been fine between them.

More than fine. They were closer than ever, something her eighteen-year-old self would’ve scoffed at.

But it was true. They talked every day, worked side by side, and always consulted each other while increasing their relationship with God.

She’d never thought a walk with God would become this important to her.

Now that she’d shifted her mindset, her relationship with Chase grew stronger.

The worry over her memories lingered in the back of her mind. Did he worry about something she still hadn’t remembered? No. He’d have mentioned it.

His sorrel gelding led the way along their favorite trail, her strawberry roan following behind so close that her nose brushed the gelding’s tail. He swished it in annoyance, and her mare snorted what sounded like a laugh.

They broke through the trees and Chase stopped. A low valley spread out in front of him, the fall colors just beginning to turn. Another month and they’d hit their peak, the reds and golds taking over every hill with God’s great majestic creation.

Chase gripped the saddle horn and rocked toward her. Their knees bumped, and she tilted her foot to knock her boot into his.

Silence stretched thin, taut but somehow comfortable.

“I wasn’t sure when I’d finally get to do this.” He held out his hand. A brand-new black jewelry box sat in his palm.

The pitter-patter turned into a full-fledged storm of emotion.

He turned his horse in a tight circle so they faced each other and took her left hand from the reins.

Her fingers curled easily around his, the familiarity of his touch reminding her of all they’d been through together.

His voice rumbled with a rare roughness.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life to marry you.

” He opened the box to reveal a single square-cut diamond in a gold band.

“Yes.” No hesitation. No second guesses. This was what she’d wanted for months. Years. She held out her hand. “I want to marry you too.”

“Good.” He chuckled while sliding the ring into place. His body relaxed by degrees.

“You were worried I’d say no.”

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckle above the ring. “Not worried. Well.” He corrected when she arched a brow. “I tried not to be worried.”

“I broke both our hearts last time you asked. I don’t blame you for being nervous.

” The horses shifted closer, almost like they knew she needed to close the distance.

“You’re not getting away this time. I’ve learned my lesson.

God’s not done working in us or through us, but I’m done fighting him. This is where I belong. With you.”

She reveled in a short, sweet kiss broken by the horses nipping at each other and stomping their hooves. A laugh burst from her, pushing back the threat of happy tears.

Chase scolded his gelding; his words tinged with laughter. “You’re supposed to be on my side, dude. Where are you going?” The gelding turned his head and bumped Chase’s boot with his nose, almost as though to apologize. “Yeah, I know you want to run. Can you give me a minute.”

“If I didn’t know you, I’d worry about you.” Her smile stretched so wide it made talking difficult. “You carry on conversations with your horses.”

“Oh, don’t give me that.” He turned the gelding toward the ranch house. “You talk to them too. I’ve heard you. At least I don’t play in barrels of corn.”

She scoffed and her mare mimicked the sound. “Don’t even. I saw you yesterday. All the way up to your shoulders in the corn barrel and giggling like a schoolgirl.”

“Did not.” He swatted a fly from her mare’s neck.

“Did too.” Any other time she would have continued the banter. The glint of the ring on her finger brought up a new conversation that demanded attention. She wiggled her fingers, first her engagement ring, then the promise ring on her other hand. “Mind if I jump right into wedding talk?”

“Go for it.”

“What do you want?” She’d never asked him. Years of wondering drove the question out.

He angled his head to look at her while ducking beneath a tree branch. Leaves rustled across his hat, a few of them fluttering to the ground in a silent cascade. “Sounds like a trick question.”

She rolled her eyes. “Come on. Tell me. You must have some idea.”

“I always hoped we’d get married at the ranch. Other than that, I wanted to support you in whatever dreams you had for our wedding day.”

Sweet. Unhelpful except for the wedding on the ranch part, but still sweet. “On the ranch is fine with me.”

They planned the entire ride back. By the time they put their horses in the field and walked up the porch steps, they had a basic timeline and each of their wants lined out.

“Aunt Sarah and Maude will be thrilled.” She swung the front door open and stepped into the house.

“Congratulations!” The shout came from everywhere at once, a multitude of voices crashing over her and rocking her back into Chase.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, his laughter warm in her ear. “I think you’re right. They look very happy.”

“How did they know?” She laughed at her own question. “Never mind.”

The living room full of people raised glasses toward them.

Whistles and cheers roared until it was a wonder the glass windows didn’t shatter.

A white banner with riffled edges spelled out hers and Chase’s names, a giant heart between them.

Other decorations stretched on either side in a series of yellow and gold.

Gold rings hung from gold ribbons, and images of wedding cakes sprinkled the tablecloths.

Maude and Aunt Sarah cut around the crowd and waved them deeper into the room.

“Let me see.” Aunt Sarah took her hand and brought the ring up to eye level. “It’s beautiful, Chase.” She hugged Michelle, patted her cheeks, and beamed a brilliant smile. “Congratulations, honey.”

“Thank you.” She returned the embrace, then moved to Maude for a second hug. “How did you pull this off? I was just here.”

She’d stopped by the house before they rode off. Nothing had been out of place or out of the ordinary.

“Everyone was on their way. They waited until you rode out of sight, then we scrambled like a bunch of hooligans to get everything set up.” Maude’s no-nonsense approach to life hid a wild ability to pull this off. “We knew you’d say yes. It’s been obvious for months.”

“Since right after I came home.” This place had always been home.

Not just Blue River, but the ranch. She left each night and returned to the bed and breakfast. Yvonne had given her a deal on a monthly rental rate, and she’d started a job at the museum to earn enough to cover her expenses.

Life was, in a word, perfect. Nearly perfect.

One last thing would tip it right over the edge into becoming what she’d always wanted.

Marriage to Chase.

She ran her thumb over the edge of the ring, the solid feel of it bringing joy and peace.

Maude ushered them to the table where an array of food waited. “It’s not much, but we wanted you both to know how happy we are for you.”

“You didn’t have to go through the trouble.” Michelle picked up a plate and stacked a sandwich and chips onto it. “But I’m glad you did. I’m starving.”

“So.” Aunt Sarah edged her way behind the table and scooped carrots and dressing onto the edge of her plate. “How long to we have to plan?”

“Told you.” Chase pointed a celery stick at Michelle. Laughter tinged the air.

“Late fall.” They’d considered Christmas, but she wanted to be able to enjoy the weather and an outdoor wedding at the ranch. “Here.” She motioned toward the windows that overlooked the yard.

“On horseback?” Aunt Sarah raised both eyebrows. “That would be pretty.”

“I think we’ll hold off on that for now.

” The wedding dress she hoped to wear wasn’t exactly horseback riding friendly.

The puffy skirt would not only be a problem, but there was no way—even if they washed the horses right before—that the dress would stay clean if she rode in it.

“I want you as my matron of honor.” Michelle caught the sudden inhale from Aunt Sarah, who slapped a hand to her throat.

“Are you sure?” she asked.