Chapter Thirty-Seven
Evie
The early summer air was warm and sweet, but I was already at the end of my rope. Macy, the stubborn escape artist disguised as a zebra, stood a few feet away, chewing a mouthful of hay like she had all the time in the world.
“Come on, Macy,” I pleaded, holding out a bucket of grain in one hand and a lead rope in the other. “We’ve been through this. I’ve got stuff to do today, and chasing you around wasn’t on the list.”
Macy flicked her tail, her black-and-white-striped face tilting just slightly in what I swore was a mockery.
The mare had a knack for making me look like a fool, and today was no different.
I tried taking a slow step toward her, but she sidestepped me with the grace of a dancer, tossing her head like she’d just won a gold medal in making my life difficult.
“Fine,” I muttered under my breath, tossing the bucket of grain closer to her. “You win. Just... eat the snack and let me get the rope on you.”
Of course, Macy had other plans. She lunged for the bucket, and as I tried to slip the rope over her neck, she spun on her heels and bolted straight toward the muddy edge of the paddock.
“Macy, no,” I yelled, racing after her. “You’re not even supposed to be over there!”
In hindsight, I should’ve let her go and regrouped with a new plan.
But instead, I went charging forward like some rookie. My boots skidded in the mud, and my feet went out from under me before I could catch my balance.
I hit the ground with a spectacular, face-first splat. The grittiness of mud etched into my mouth and every other crevice.
For a moment, I just lay there, sprawled out like a starfish in the middle of a mud puddle. I could feel the cool sludge soaking into my jeans and shirt, and I groaned in frustration.
But I wasn’t going to let her win.
I had a job to do.
The sound of a low whistle made me lift my head
Liam was jogging toward me.
“Well,” he said, his voice laced with amusement, “I’d say you and Macy are having a real productive morning.”
I pushed myself up onto my hands and glared at him, mud dripping from my chin.
“Glad you’re enjoying the show.”
“Not at all, but I’m glad I didn’t miss it,” he said, stepping into the paddock. “But I’m mostly impressed by your technique. Face-planting in the mud to win over the zebra? Bold move. Most would have let her go.”
“Careful,” I said, brushing clumps of mud off my sleeves. “You’re not immune to being dragged down here with me.”
He smirked, walking closer. “I might just risk it.”
Before I could argue, he reached down and grabbed my hands, pulling me to my feet with an ease that shouldn’t have been so attractive. But it was Liam—everything he did was ridiculously attractive.
“You look... earthy,” he said, his eyes sparkling as his gaze swept over me.
“Thanks,” I deadpanned, tugging my hands free from his and trying to salvage what little dignity I had left. “I was going for wilderness chic.”
He laughed, reaching up to swipe some mud off my cheek with his thumb.
“Nailed it.”
I shook my head, biting back a smile as I stepped away.
“What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be at Red Barn Cider with the contractors.”
“I came to check on you,” he said, glancing toward Macy, who was now happily munching on the grain. “And to help. Though, clearly, you’ve got it all under control.”
He grabbed a rag from the barn and helped to wipe me off.
“Oh yeah, totally,” I said, brushing more mud off my clothes. “Everything’s going exactly as planned.”
With zero effort, Liam walked over to Macy and clipped the lead rope onto her halter. The zebra didn’t even flinch; she just kept eating like she hadn’t spent the last hour making my life miserable.
I stared at them, my mouth falling open. “Are you kidding me?”
“What?” Liam asked, his face the picture of innocence. “She likes me.”
I threw my hands up. “Of course she does. Everyone likes you.”
His grin widened as he led Macy back toward her pen.
“Everyone, huh? Even you?”
I narrowed my eyes, ignoring how my heart fluttered at his teasing tone.
“Don’t push your luck.”
He chuckled, securing Macy in her pen before turning back to me. “You know, I think the mud suits you.”
I shot him a look. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Guilty as charged,” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. “But hey, at least you’re giving me plenty of material for future jokes.”
“Oh, great,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “Can’t wait to hear those.”
He stepped closer, his expression softening just enough to make my breath catch.
“You know I’m just teasing, right?”
I nodded, my heart beating a little faster. “Yeah, I know.”
We just stood there for a moment, the playful banter giving way to something quieter. His gaze lingered on mine, and I felt that familiar pull between us—the one that always seemed to catch me off guard.
“You’ve got mud on your nose,” he said, his voice low.
“I’m sure that’s not the only place.” I reached up to swipe it away, but he caught my hand, shaking his head. “Let me.”
Before I could protest, he reached out and gently wiped the spot with his thumb.
“Better,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Thanks,” I managed, my cheeks heating despite the cool air.
He didn’t move, his hand still hovering near my face. “Evie...”
The sound of Macy kicking her stall broke the moment, and I stepped back, clearing my throat.
“We should, uh... check the gate. Make sure she can’t get out again.”
“Right,” Liam said, his voice rough as he stepped back too. “Wouldn’t want her causing more trouble.”
As I leaned against the gate, my arms crossed and my eyes narrowing at Liam, I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing something.
He’d been grinning like a kid with a secret, and the teasing smirk from earlier had softened into something warmer. But there was still a glint in his eye—a mix of mischief and excitement—that made me tilt my head.
“You’ve got that look,” I said, studying him.
“What look?” he asked, feigning innocence.
“The one that says you’re up to something. Spill it.”
Liam chuckled, his eyes drifting toward the lodge before flicking back to me.
“Nothing to spill.”
I straightened, narrowing my eyes further. “You’ve been looking at the lodge every two minutes. What’s going on?”
“Who says anything’s going on?”
“Uh-huh,” I said, crossing my arms tighter. “You’re not nearly as sneaky as you think, you know.”
“Is that right? Okay, fine. I’ll admit this wasn’t exactly how I pictured this moment.”
“What moment?” I asked, my curiosity spiking. “And what do you mean, this wasn’t how you envisioned it?”
He gestured at my mud-covered jeans and shirt, biting back a laugh. “I mean, when I pictured this, you weren’t completely covered in mud.”
“Glad to know I ruined your big moment.”
“Not ruined,” he said quickly, his voice softening. “Just... altered. Maybe even improved. Because honestly, this kind of beautifully fits us, don’t you think?”
Before I could respond, something caught my eye.
I turned just in time to see Hayden barreling down the hill from the lodge, his little legs pumping as he clutched something in his hands.
His bright and carefree laughter echoed through the air, swelling my heart.
“Hayden?” I called, frowning as I watched him sprint toward us. “What are you doing?”
Liam stepped back slightly, his expression softening as Hayden skidded to a stop at the paddock gate. My son’s cheeks were pink from the run, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
“Hi, Mom,” he said breathlessly.
“Hi, sweetheart,” I said, still trying to piece together what was happening. “What’s going on?”
Without answering, Hayden began unrolling something.
As the canvas unfurled, my breath caught in my throat. It was a banner, hand-painted with bold letters that read:
Mom, will you marry Liam?
My heart stopped.
Everything else fell away—the mud, the paddock, the zebra who’d caused all the chaos earlier. All I could see was Hayden, holding the banner proudly, and Liam, standing a few feet away, his expression nervous yet full of hope.
I turned to Liam, my eyes wide.
“What… what is this?”
He stepped closer, his hands slipping into his pockets as he looked at me.
“I told you I had a plan. I wanted it to be special, something that felt like us. And I couldn’t think of a better way than with Hayden here, helping me. And I know horses bring you strength and calm. It seemed right.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. Then I glanced at Hayden, who was bouncing on his heels, clearly thrilled with himself.
“You helped with this?” I asked him, my voice shaking.
Hayden nodded enthusiastically.
“Uh-huh. Liam said he wanted to ask you something really important, so I said I’d help because Liam’s awesome. He asked me if I approved, and I told him yes. Do you like it, Mom?”
Tears stung my eyes as I crouched in front of Hayden, brushing my hand over his hair. “I love it, sweetheart. It’s perfect.”
Hayden beamed, then looked up at Liam. “Can I tell her the other part?”
“Go for it,” Liam said with a grin.
Hayden leaned closer to me, his voice dropping to a loud whisper. “He has a ring, Mom. A really sparkly one.”
I laughed through my tears, pressing a hand to my mouth as I stood. My knees wobbled as I faced Liam, who was now holding a small box. He opened it, revealing a simple but stunning diamond ring that sparkled in the sunlight.
“Evie, you make this world right. I knew from the moment I met you that we could have something special and everlasting. Hayden sealed the deal.” He shook his head, smiling. “But I don’t want to go another day without you being mine forever. I love you, Evie. I love you, and I love Hayden, and I want us to be a family. You’ve changed my life in ways I didn’t even know I needed, and I don’t want to imagine a future without you.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stared at him, my chest tight with emotion. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Yes, I’ll marry you. And I love you so much. You made me fall in love with love again. You just made me…” I glanced at my son and brought my gaze back to Liam’s. “Believe in me again.”
Liam’s face lit up, and he slid the ring onto my finger before pulling me into his arms.
Hayden cheered loudly, jumping up and down.
“You guys are gonna get married.”
Liam laughed, pressing a kiss to my muddy forehead. “We sure are.”
My heart was so full it ached, but I knew I’d finally found our happily forever after.
Hayden wrapped his arms around both of us, and I knew that this—this moment, this man, this family—was everything I’d ever wanted.
And it was okay to finally breathe again.