Epilogue
Jack guided Randi into the barn, his footsteps echoing softly on the floor as he led her along the narrow aisle lined with stalls. He paused in front of one specific stall, and gave her a subtle nod to take a look inside.
“Oh! What a gorgeous Appaloosa,” Randi breathed, her voice a mix of wonder and delight as she gazed upon the graceful creature swathed in soft light filtering through the barn.
Jack’s smile deepened. “She’s yours,” he replied.
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “What?”
With a smile, Jack explained, “I bought her for you. It took me several weeks to find one that matched your description so perfectly. She’s four years old and remarkably well trained.” He then wrapped an arm around her and led her into the tack room, the space filled with the rich aroma of leather and wood. “I also picked out a Conway saddle in light tan for you. If you would prefer a darker shade, Noah mentioned I could exchange this one.”
Randi’s fingers glided over the supple leather of the saddle, admiring the intricate blue stitching that added a touch of elegance to the light tan finish. When she turned to face him, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I love it. Thank you,” she whispered.
Jack tenderly kissed her forehead. “You’re welcome. How about a ride?” he asked.
“I’d love to. Today is simply beautiful,” she replied.
“For early October, it is. They say it might even snow next week,” Jack grinned.
“I believe it. I was utterly surprised when it snowed last week,” she responded with a laugh.
“Let’s saddle the horses and take a short ride. There’s a pond in the north pasture,” he suggested.
“Okay,” she agreed, a smile tugging at her lips.
After they carefully saddled their horses, the pair mounted up and rode into the open pasture, the landscape bathed in the golden light of a late autumn afternoon. Jack couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves; as the ring hidden in his pocket seemed to burn a hole in it.
When they reached the pond, a mirror-like body of water dotted with dancing reflections of the crimson and amber trees, they carefully dismounted and strolled along its edge, leading their horses. With a casual gesture, Jack dropped the reins and motioned for Randi to do the same.
“She’s been trained for ground-tying,” he said.
“That’s perfect. There’s really no spot to tie them,” she replied, as she admired the rustic beauty around them.
Taking her hand in his, Jack led her to a soft patch of ground beside the pond. “Sit down with me,” he said.
Her smile made his heart race all over again. She extended her hand toward him and allowed him to help her sit on the cushion of grass, their shared closeness filling the air with warmth.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she whispered, looking around at the vast, natural splendor.
Jack’s grin widened as he teased, “Well, I’m glad you love it, since this is where you’ll be living.”
Randi leaned in and pressed her lips to his, replying, “I would live anywhere with you.”
Gazing into her eyes, Jack gently caressed her hand and softly mused, “Randi, you know I love you, right?”
“Of course. I love you too,” she replied without hesitation.
Jack rose slowly, his hands trembling with anticipation as he reached into his pocket and produced a small velvet box. The moment the box appeared, Randi gasped, a sound that mingled surprise, joy, and disbelief. Dropping to one knee, Jack began.
“I told you I wanted to marry you, but I never formally asked…”
“You don’t have to ask,” Randi interjected, her eyes shining in the fading sunlight. “I want to marry you too.”
“I know, but I want to do this properly,” Jack persisted, his voice a mixture of nervous excitement and heartfelt sincerity. “I called your grandparents and asked for their blessing, they were more than happy to give it. Now, I’d like to make it official.” Clearing his throat as if the words weighed heavily upon him, he added, “Miranda Jean Guthrie, will you marry me? Will you spend the rest of your life with me and love me forever?”
As he spoke, he flipped open the velvet box to reveal a stunning three-carat diamond ring, its facets catching the sunlight in a dazzling display. Carefully, he slipped the ring onto her left hand, his touch gentle and reverent, before kissing her knuckles. Searching her eyes for an answer, he asked pointedly, “Well?”
Tears began to trace paths down her cheeks as she nodded enthusiastically, throwing her arms around his neck and tumbling him onto his back. Her kisses covering his face like soft raindrops.
“Yes! Yes, of course, I’ll marry you,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with unbridled joy.
Jack cradled her cheek in his hand, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss. In that moment, he silently vowed to love her until his last breath, certain that she would always be by his side.
They sat there for a while, soaking in the magic of the pond’s reflection, the way the sunlight danced off the ring and her hand outstretched toward it, before she looked back at him.
“It’s just beautiful. I love it, but I love you even more. I am so glad you walked into my shop that day,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
“Me too, baby. Me too,” Jack replied, rolling onto his back, pulling her on top of him. “Hey, do you want to get dirty in the field?”
Randi’s laughter bubbled up. “I would, but it feels like the air’s getting a bit cooler.”
Jack grinned. “Yeah, it is. Well then, let’s head home, get a little dirty, take a shower, and maybe get a bit dirty again.”
“I will do anything for you and with you,” she promised, glancing affectionately toward her beautiful horse. “I adore her too. She’s just perfect.”
“Just like you,” he whispered softly against her lips.
She shook her head gently, a playful smile on her face. “I’m far from perfect, Jack.”
“You’re perfect for me, in every way possible. I promise I will always love you,” he vowed, his voice carrying the earnest promise of forever.
“And I will always love you,” she chirped back, her grin infectious. “I feel like breaking into song.”
Jack laughed. “Can you sing?”
“I can’t carry a tune in a bucket,” she admitted with a laugh.
“Alright, we’ll spare my ears for now. Just your words are enough,” he replied, drawing her close.
“I’ll tell you so much you’ll get tired of hearing it,” she teased.
“That’s never going to happen,” Jack assured her as he stood and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s head back.”
“Jack? Where do you want to have our wedding?” Randi inquired; curiosity tinged with excitement.
“That’s entirely up to you, sweetheart. If you want a wedding in Alabama, we will have one there,” he responded, leaving the choice in her hands.
“I only have my grandparents in Alabama, though. Maggie was mentioning how everyone gets married in the Clifton Church on Main Street, that everyone shows up, even those without invitations, standing in the street to celebrate,” she explained. “She showed me the church and it’s so stunning.”
“That’s true. If that’s what you want, then we can get married there. Whatever you desire,” Jack said.
“My grandparents are even considering a move here, so let’s do that. I would love to get married in that charming little church,” she said.
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” he declared, pressing his lips to hers. “Anything for you.”
“Jack, all the money and things I inherited don’t mean half as much to me as you do. I watched my grandparents struggle with money. Living week to week and just surviving. It had to be hard on them having a child to care for late in life, but they never once made me feel like a burden. Even if they hadn’t received any money, I would always take care of them. But, if I lost it all, I’d still have everything I need with you beside me.”
“And that is where I’ll always be,” he promised.
Randi cupped his cheek softly as she whispered, “Let’s go home and have our own little celebration. I already have the perfect idea.”
Jack groaned playfully, eliciting a burst of laughter from her, and then side by side, they mounted their horses and rode home, their shadows merging with the lengthening dusk.
As they rode back toward the barn, Jack reached for her hand. In that moment, with her hand securely in his and her presence right beside him, everything felt exactly as it was meant to be, just as he had always hoped, with the love of his life by his side.
* * * The End * * *