Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
One year later
The dogs thought wrapping paper was an amazing invention. They were grabbing it, throwing it up in the air, and then rolling on the floor on it.
Ellis watched it all with a grin, but more importantly he watched Ichabod, who looked so happy, so relaxed and settled in his skin, that it couldn’t be believed.
His dad was there again this year, and Ichabod’s folks had stopped by for Christmas Eve and then moved on. Zane’s girlfriend had spent the night last night, ensconced in a guest bedroom, and was smoothing out ribbons to use again next year, as happy as a lark.
He and Ichabod had gone on a cruise and he had spent ten of the most amazing days of his life being lazy and melted and very, very tanned. It had been wonderful. But it had also been good to come back and see the kids. See how everything was fine.
Get back to this swing of normal, everyday insanity.
Ranch life was always wild and unpredictable but add four kids to the mix and damn.
Zane was a big help though because he was driving now full-time, and he was willing to go anywhere as long as they gave him money for gas and paid his insurance, so he didn’t have to.
He would go get pizza or groceries or take the other kids anywhere, especially since his girlfriend was allowed to go with him wherever he went.
Katie was a sweet girl, and Ichabod liked her, which was a good thing because God knew she was around all the time.
Best of all, Rick had gone back to Dallas and back to whatever life he had decided on. Dad didn’t talk about him. He didn’t ask, and no one was bothering their kids anymore, which was the most important part.
He’d probably always be mad at Rick, but the simple fact was that that was the man who had brought them together, that and Cowboy Wanted.
And so he was going to accept it for the gift that it was.
At least that’s what his dad said he should do.
He looked at his dad, who knew what his plans were. Then he nodded and headed over to sit next to Ichabod on the sofa. “So, I have one more present for you.”
“Do you? I have one more for you too.”
Ichabod smiled at him and dug in the pocket of his robe, even as he pulled something out of his jeans.
When they both came up with ring boxes, the kids all started laughing.
“Great minds think alike,” Ellis murmured, he winked at Ichabod, who chuckled, his smile so wide and bright it lit up the room better than the tree.
“I told you when I was ready I would do it,” Ichabod said, holding the ring box out to him. “You’re everything I could want in a husband, Ellis, and you’re an amazing father to our kids. I love you very much.”
He took the ring box and handed Ichabod the one he had been hiding, in return. “I love you too, baby. I don’t even know what else to say besides that. I love you with everything in me.”
“Well then, looks like we’re going to get married.”
“A wedding? Can I help plan it?” Katie asked.
Zane groaned. “Oh God, please, Dad. No kissing. Say there won’t be any kissing.”
Allie rolled her eyes at her biggest brother. “Zane, it’s in love. There has to be kissing.”
“Yeah, Zane!” Chrissy agreed. “There hasta be kissing!”
“There absolutely has to be kissing,” Ellis said, staring right into Ichabod’s eyes. “Here, let’s practice.” He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Ichabod’s lips to seal the deal. “Will you marry me, baby?”
“Only if you’ll marry me, cowboy.”
“I reckon it’s like I said the day we met. I’m your cowboy, then and now.”