Epilogue Two
PRAIRIE
* Four Months Later *
T he buzzing hum of the airplane reminded me of Daniel’s snowmobile when he surprised me with a visit on Christmas Day. How strange that it was only four months ago. It already felt like we had been together forever.
A long distance relationship had been incredibly easy, because Daniel wouldn’t stay away from me. We had nightly phone calls, weekly video calls, and saw each other in person at least every two weeks. Everyone thought it was incredibly romantic that we couldn’t be apart.
That was true, but it also felt like more. The way that Daniel craved my body was indescribable. Even though I had been enjoying yoga classes and meeting some great people there, I didn’t dare try to lose an ounce.
Daniel’s hand caressed my knee as he looked past me out the window.
This was his last flight for a while, as he was moving back permanently to Holly Valley today. He had surprised me with seats in First Class, since I’d gone back to Myrtleville to help him pack. It was our first time flying together, which was a bit exciting.
I finally convinced Daniel to show his sketches for a minimalist farm style line to his father. His dad thought they were a perfect fit for King’s Fine Furniture.
Now Daniel was going to be an official designer there, even though I was slightly embarrassed that he had insisted on calling the new line “The Prairie Collection.” Mary agreed that it sounded poetic and charming, and completely fit with their brand.
Since it seemed to amuse everyone, I kept my mouth shut.
“How soon do you want to start looking for a plot of land for our house?” Daniel asked, his eyes sparkling. “Is today good?”
I laughed, pushing his hand down an inch as it was creeping up my inner thigh under my skirt. I usually tried to wear pants whenever we’d be sitting together for a while, since he always got frisky, but I’d forgotten today.
“I think we should get you settled first. Take at least a day off.”
He pouted. “I already have a real estate team scouting, and they found four different sites for us to look at.”
“Good grief,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You don’t take your time with anything, do you?”
He shrugged those broad shoulders, reminding me of how he had lifted and tossed me onto the bare mattress last night once we’d finished the packing. My nipples were still sensitive from his vigorous sucking.
“Why wait?” he chuckled. “Why not get to the good stuff right away?”
His eyes kept gravitating to the window, then he leaned across me. “Look. There.”
We passed over a tiny town surrounded by farmland, then the tidy rectangles disappeared, blending into one huge, flat grassland.
“That’s it,” he said. “That’s the prairie.” He sighed, squeezing my hand. “That’s what I saw that made me realize I had to find you.”
My breath caught as I stared out across the beautiful land that was just starting to catch traces of fresh green among the earth tones.
As I turned to smile at Daniel, he released my hand to slip a large diamond ring on my finger.
“Prairie, you were the love of my life even before I met you. I don’t even know how that’s possible, but it’s true. I want to spend the rest of my days making a wonderful home for us, and our children. I want to care for you, adore you…”
His eyebrows raised naughtily. “And worship you every time you’ll let me.”
He brought the back of my hand to his lips for a soft kiss. “Prairie Mitchell, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice raspy since my throat was nearly closed. Swallowing hard, I nodded while trying to catch my breath. “Of course yes.”
Daniel kissed me with a fire I would never take for granted. This incredible man was a gift that I would be forever grateful for.
Even when he embarrassed me a little, like he was about to do right now.
“She said yes!” he exclaimed, waving my hand in the air toward the flight attendants, who came rushing over with champagne and chocolates. The entire First Class section cheered, as all of the women nearby demanded to see the ring.
According to the lady in seat A-1, it was a massive brilliant cut diamond with a channel of emeralds that looked absolutely regal. D-2 said that I was an incredibly lucky girl, and B-4 took a photo to show her boyfriend as a strong, not-even-veiled suggestion.
“Do you like it?” Daniel asked when everyone backed off and realized we needed a moment to ourselves.
“The grassy green of the emeralds makes the diamond look even brighter,” I said. “It’s unbelievable.”
“See?” he said proudly. “I’ve been paying attention when you’ve been talking color theory with Mom.”
I was already unbelievably touched by his proposal, then he dropped that on me. How could a man be so sweet and so hot at the same time?
“As soon as we’re safely in your bedroom,” I murmured into his ear, “I’m going to show you how I’m planning to treat my new husband.”
Daniel’s deep chuckle rumbled as he kissed along the edge of my ear. “What I’m hearing is, buying you jewelry will earn me sexual favors?”
“It’s not the jewelry, silly. It’s the being sweet and picking up on details.”
His warm breath tickled my skin. “I’m going to play it safe and use both tactics, just in case.”
“Works for me.”
We sat up straighter as the plane began its descent, but continued holding hands tightly.
As the area of Holly Valley came into view, my heart was full to bursting. The next chapter of my life was going to be unbelievably exciting. And quite challenging.
But with Daniel at my side, I knew everything was guaranteed to be wonderful.