Twenty-Seven Levi
I’m not the type to get nervous easily. I can handle just about anything life throws my way—wild horses, fierce storms, long days on the ranch that stretch into the night—but today? Today, my nerves are shot. I’ve been on edge all day, pacing back and forth in this field, waiting for her to arrive. It feels like my heart’s been lodged in my throat all damn day.
The scavenger hunt was my idea. I wanted today to be special for Sunny—her birthday, a day that should be unforgettable. So, I planned it out, sent her running all over town, one clue leading to another. She’s been out there all day, laughing, smiling, probably wondering what the hell I’m up to.
And now, she’s finally on her way here. This is the last stop, the grand finale, and my nerves are buzzing like live wires because tonight isn’t just about her birthday. Tonight’s about forever.
I glance at the setup one last time, making sure everything’s just right. The sun’s starting to dip below the horizon, casting that perfect golden light. I spent the afternoon arranging a path of sunflowers—which I had to buy a greenhouse and start growing months ago—leading from the dirt road down to the little table. Just about everyone told me I was crazy, but somehow, I managed it. They’re in full bloom, their bright yellow petals catching the last light of the day, and I hope to God they’re enough to show her how much she means to me.
The table’s simple—just two chairs facing the best view on the ranch, with a vase of sunflowers in the middle. Nothing too fancy, nothing over the top. But it’s perfect for us. It’s perfect for her.
I hear the soft crunch of gravel under boots, and my pulse kicks up. She’s here. My breath catches as I turn around, and there she is, walking toward me, looking every bit like the girl who stole my heart. Her auburn hair’s tumbling loose around her shoulders, her eyes wide with that familiar curiosity, and she’s still clutching the last clue in her hand.
“Levi,”
she calls out, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Her voice, her smile—it hits me like a punch in the chest, but the good kind. The kind that reminds you just how deeply you feel. I smile back, rubbing my sweaty palms against my jeans.
“Happy birthday, sugar.”
Her eyes soften, still smiling as she glances around.
“This is beautiful, Levi.”
“No,”
I say, stepping closer, feeling the weight of the moment sink in. “You’re beautiful.”
Her gaze flickers to the sunflowers, the table by the lake, and her smile softens. She reaches out, touching one of the flowers gently.
“Sunflowers, in the middle of March? How did you…?”
I laugh, “I have my ways,” I wink.
She looks up at me, her eyes shining with something deeper than just happiness, and my chest tightens. I’ve always been bad at words, but today I need to get them right. Today, more than ever, I need her to understand just how much she’s changed my world.
I reach for her hand, pulling her closer, and she steps into me without hesitation, her body fitting perfectly against mine like it always does. I take a deep breath, steadying myself.
“Sunny,”
I say, my voice low, rough with emotion.
“I’ve been thinking about this moment for a long time. You—us—you’ve turned everything upside down for me in the best possible way. Before you came along, my life was…steady. Predictable. I knew exactly how things were supposed to go. But then you showed up, and suddenly, nothing was the same.”
Her eyes search mine, and I can see she’s listening, really listening. I rub the back of her hand with my thumb, trying to ground myself, because the weight of what I’m about to say feels like everything.
“I love you, Sunny,”
I continue, my voice cracking a little.
“You’re the first person I think about in the morning, the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep. Hell, you’re in my dream’s half the time, too.”
I chuckle softly, though my heart’s beating hard.
“You’ve made everything brighter, better, just by being in my life.”
Her breath catches, and she grips my hand a little tighter. I can see her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but I press on, because this is it. This is the moment I need her to understand just how deep my love for her runs.
“I can’t imagine a single day without you by my side,”
I say, my voice growing softer, more vulnerable.
“I don’t want to. You’ve changed everything for me, Sunny. You’ve given me a reason to look forward to every single day. Your laugh, your smile, your heart—it’s all I want. And I want to spend the rest of my life waking up next to you, hearing your voice, holding you close. You’re my sunflower.”
Her tears spill over, but she’s smiling—a soft, beautiful smile that makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst out of my chest. I drop down on one knee before I lose my nerve, pulling the small velvet box out of my pocket. Her eyes widen, her hand flying to her mouth as she realizes what’s happening. I open the box, revealing the ring inside, and for a second, I can’t breathe.
“Sunny,”
I say, my voice barely more than a whisper now, thick with emotion.
“Will you marry me?”
For a heartbeat, the world goes quiet. Just the sound of the wind in the trees, and the pounding of my heart in my ears. And then she nods, her smile breaking into the kind of joy that makes me feel like I’ve just caught my breath for the first time in forever.
“Yes,”
she whispers, her voice trembling with tears.
“Yes, Levi. I’ll marry you.”
She sobs, jumping on me. Both of us falling to the floor laughing as she plants hundreds of tiny kisses over my face.
When she finally pulls back, sitting up straight, I take her hand and slide the ring onto her finger, she stares down at it, tears still shining in her eyes.
“It’s beautiful,”
she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.
“Not as beautiful as you,”
I say, my voice rough but full of love.
“Not even close.”
She looks down at me, smiling through her tears, and in that moment, I know that everything—every doubt, every fear—was worth it. Because she said yes. Because she’s mine, and I’m hers. Forever.
Suddenly, a loud whistle breaks the moment, and I turn to see Paisley, Colt, my dad, and the rest of the guys pouring out from behind the trees, their faces lit up with excitement. They’re cheering, whistling, hollering like it’s the Fourth of July.
Bodhi’s carrying a huge banner that reads “Mr. & Mrs. Monroe,”
and I can’t help but laugh, my cheeks aching from smiling so much.
“My best friend is ENGAGED!”
Paisley yells, her voice full of love, as she races over and tackles Sunny in a hug.
“Congratulations brother,”
Colt says, slapping me on the back.
Dad makes his way over, clapping me on the shoulder with that big, proud smile he always gives when he’s truly pleased. “Good job, bud,”
he says, his voice warm and full of affection.
“I told you everything would work out didn’t I. Now, about those grandbabies…”
I throw my head back, laughing, “Don’t worry, Dad. Sunny said she’ll give you a hundred baby Monroe’s.”
His face lights up, his grin stretching ear to ear as he looks at Sunny like she’s just given him the best news of his life.
“A hundred, huh?”
He chuckles, shaking his head with disbelief and joy.
“I love that girl of yours, Levi.”
I glance over at my fiancé, her face glowing with laughter and happiness as she shows Paisley her ring, and I know in my bones that no matter what comes next, we’ve got this. We’ve got forever.