A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy: Love in Sweet Bloom

Chapter 21

Wrapping paper littered the floor.The smell of sizzling bacon, fluffy waffles, and maple syrup clung to every surface of Lucas and Allie’s home, and Brent’s children ran amuck with their presents from their uncle and aunts. Even Molly was getting in on the fun.

But it wasn’t Pippa’s own family that had her captivated. It was the man she’d allowed herself to risk it all for. Rob stood on the far side of the room speaking with Brent about something while Pippa caught up with Allie and Jackie, who each wanted all the details from the night before.

Every few minutes, Pippa and Rob would catch one another staring. She might as well admit that she’d fallen hard for him and there was no other option for them but to get hitched. She’d waited long enough for him to come to terms with the idea of settling down. It was time to make a move like she had the other day—with Allie’s help, of course.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I’m dead serious,” Pippa said. “I’m going to ask him to marry me and he’s going to have to save face by telling me yes.”

“I don’t think you understand what that term means.” Jackie chuckled. “He wouldn’t be saving face if he has to turn you down or accept your proposal. Maybe you should let him take charge.”

“Like I let him take charge over the last decade? I’m not doing that,” Pippa huffed. “I can feel it. This is the next step for both of us. I have to get him to see that.”

Allie laughed. “Then you need to drop the right kinds of hints.”

Pippa glanced at her with doubt. “What kind of hints?”

Allie rolled her eyes. “Like go wandering down the street and stop in front of the jeweler’s and point out the rings you like. It can’t get more obvious than that. I’m sure he’d love to pick you out a pretty one.”

“A pretty what?” Rob interrupted them.

All three women gasped and stared up at him, startled.

“Nothing,” Pippa blurted.

He chuckled, his eyes sweeping across all three women. “Would you ladies mind if I had a word alone with Pippa?” Without waiting for them to respond, he took her hand and pulled her toward the door. “I have some great news.”

This wasn’t the way a man would discuss his future with her. That fact was hard to ignore, and Pippa had to push down the disappointment that he hadn’t come to ask for her hand. She forced a smile. She could be proud of him and still want to get engaged. She had to prioritize what was more important in this moment.

“What’s going on?”

Rob spun to face her the second they’d stepped outside. Away from the family, warmth, and festivities, Pippa shivered. She was momentarily distracted as she glanced out at the frosted ground and the overcast skies. When she returned her attention to Rob, he was practically giddy.

“I got a loan.”

Her brows furrowed.

“Well, it’s sorta a loan. Brent wants to incorporate a lot of that tech stuff I was talking about. He said if I was interested in getting a degree in that side of things, he’d pay me to attend school as well as reimburse me for partial tuition—which I can work off while I’m here.”

Her jaw slackened. “You’re kidding.”

She didn’t even have a second to be upset that he’d refused her loan and yet accepted one from her brother. He needed to do this whole thing his way and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

“That’s amazing, Rob. I’m so proud of you!” Pippa threw her arms around his neck and peppered his face with kisses. This was the next big step he’d been wanting, and he was finally getting out of his own way to do it. She let out a squeal of delight as she pulled back. “I can’t wait to see what you do next.”

“Lucky for you, you don’t have to.” Rob carefully stepped away from her then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

Her hands flew to cover her mouth as she stared at the little box. When her eyes darted to meet his, her whole body went into standby mode. One soft gust of wind would have been enough to knock her to the ground.

Rob lowered himself onto one knee and held up the box. “You have to believe me when I tell you that you’re everything I’ve wanted in life. I might not have realized it all this time, but I know now you’re every bit a part of my future as staying in Texas is.”

Tears sprang to her eyes. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Her eyes landed on the box and remained glued there as Rob continued.

“Pippa, you”re magic. You’re everything to me. Please, promise me you’ll marry me and we can continue to make magic together. If what I mean isn”t completely clear, I want all the strings. Every single one of them. That”s my new rule.”

She didn’t hesitate for a second. Pippa nodded as she threw her arms around him once more. He stood with one arm around her waist as he spun her in a small arc on the front porch. Their lips met, promising each other a life full of their own special kind of magic.

Together, they could accomplish anything. Together, they’d be whole.

Something cold and prickly dotted her face and Pippa gasped. Her eyes flew heavenward as she turned her face up. Little specks of white fluttered to the ground, a light breeze pushing them beneath the porch awning.

“I didn’t know it snowed here,” Rob said with wonder.

“That’s Sweet Bloom for you.” Pippa grinned, her nose pressed to his. “It’s not only the well that’s full of magic.”

“And I can’t wait to see more of it with you.” He chuckled, capturing her lips once more in a breath-stealing kiss.