Chapter 38
Malachi “Radar” Garison
With the approval from Everett and Gramps, Gracie messaged Maisie and Indy to change the baby shower to celebrate Baby Garrison, and with that sorted and the paperwork filed, a weight lifted off my shoulders.
I was a Garrison! I could move forward without the pain and distaste for the name I associated with darkness and dishonor sitting heavily on my shoulders.
The other thing that ran through my mind on a constant loop was my Wildflower being open to marrying me. I wanted nothing more than to claim her as my wife and raise a family together. Now I needed to decide how best to pop the question, and for that I needed some help.
I wanted her to share the name Garrison as soon as possible, but also didn’t want to rush her. So after a long conversation with Kath, I decided to ask her before the baby shower so we could attend as a newly engaged couple.
Indy and Kath were helping Gracie get ready for the baby shower, while Maisie helped me with my little surprise.
After meeting Indy in town with Hazel, I bought a vintage ring from a collector in town.
It was straight out of the Victorian era and held a marquise diamond flanked on either side by three oval emeralds interwoven to look like leaves.
The platinum and gold band itself was etched with a vine filigree pattern that completed the vintage wildflower look.
The ring was as unique as my Wildflower and just as vibrant as the woman herself.
I couldn’t wait to see her face when I presented her with the ring.
We’d agreed to do a little pregnancy photoshoot before the baby shower to capture this milestone moment. At first, it was to appease Maisie and allow her to show off her photography skills, but after chatting with Indy and Kath, it became the perfect setting to sneak in a proposal.
Indy and Kath would lead my Wildflower out into the meadow where we’d taken our first ride, all those months ago. We’d take some couple photos and solo photos. Ev even helped me include Anchor and Peanut.
My breath caught in my throat at my first sight of my Wildflower.
She was in an off-white dress with lace sleeves and a high-low hemline, showing off her beautiful baby bump and her favorite dark brown cowboy boots.
Kath had woven a flower crown through her glossy curls and done something to her face that made her galaxy of freckles glow in the afternoon sunlight.
She was breathtaking, and at that moment I felt like the luckiest man on the planet to just be in her orbit.
“You’re stunning.” I approached her and kissed her cheek.
“You’re not too bad yourself. We clean up, alright.” She shot me a wink that went straight to my cock, and I groaned as I pulled her body against mine.
“No teasing when I have to get through the whole baby shower before I can have my wicked way with you,” I growled as I nipped her ear and relished her full-body shiver.
The photoshoot was surprisingly fun, and teasing Maisie about being so bossy was always a kick as she ordered us this way and that. Once all the obligatory poses were done, Ev came to take the horses from me and handed me the ring as Maisie set up the last shot.
“Okay, Grace. You face me, and Radar will be behind to the right. I’ll get a few shots like this, then I want you to walk towards me for two paces before stopping.
I’ll take a few shots at a distance, then I’ll have you turn and face.
Got it? Good.” Maisie waited for our agreement and gave me a knowing nod before she started snapping away.
I kept the ring box hidden in my fist behind my back until Maze instructed Gracie to walk those two paces, and that was my moment to drop to one knee. I opened the box and waited.
Maisie hurried downhill to be ready for the right shot before calling out, “Okay, Grace, turn and face your man.”
As Gracie turned, her smile illuminated her face, as tears welled in her eyes. She brought her hands to her mouth, gasping out my name in a reverent whisper. “Oh, Kai.”
“Wildflower, I’ve known you were it for me since I was sixteen years old and your kindness shone a light on all the darkness I held within.
It’s taken going through hell and back to find each other again, but now that we have, I don’t want to spend a day apart.
You are woven into my soul, sweetheart, and my greatest wish is to be your husband and strive to make you as happy as you’ve made me.
I love you; mind, body, and soul, and would be honored if you would become my wife. So, will you marry me?”
Tears streamed freely down her face as she nodded. “Yes, Kai, of course I will!”
She launched herself at me, and I caught her in my arms as I stood and twirled her around, overjoyed that this dynamic woman had agreed to be mine forever.
“I love you,” she declared into my skin as she nuzzled my neck. Her happy tears soaked into my shirt.
“And I love you.” I pulled her back so I could kiss her and dipped her over my arm as my stomach flipped at her sweet chuckle.
“Okay, okay, keep it PG,” Maisie called out as the clicking of her camera ceased and Ev, Indy, Kath, and she ran to congratulate us as I placed the ring on my Wildflower’s finger.
“It’s so beautiful.” With a voice full of awe, she gazed at the ring.
“Just like you,” I said as I kissed her temple and let her be enveloped in hugs from our chosen family.
The baby shower went off without a hitch, and we found out we were having a girl. We were overjoyed. The party didn’t wind down until later that night, and I was surprised my Wildflower was still standing and dancing right until the end.
The ranch brimmed with people. Everyone from Hope’s Ridge and our neighboring ranches had packed in to celebrate our baby and surprise engagement. It was exhausting, overwhelming, and exciting all at once, and I couldn’t take my eyes off Gracie the entire time.
We were getting married. And it was time we celebrated that fact in private.
Marching onto the makeshift dance floor that only had a few people left on it, I whisked her up into my arms in a bridal carry and headed for the front door.
Hoots and hollers called after us as Gracie shrieked and waved thank you and goodbyes from both of us as I hoofed it out the door.
“You caveman! I could have at least said goodbye properly.” She chuckled as she nuzzled into my chest, happy to be carried for the time being.
“We’re engaged, and having a baby girl, and I needed to celebrate all that happened today with my fiancée.
Alone,” I growled. “Do you have any idea how stunning you look today? With my ring on your finger and those wildflowers in your hair, you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen, and you’ve agreed to be mine, forever, so I need to devour you accordingly. ”
“Devour. I like the sound of that, soldier,” she purred as she tugged on my dog tags around my neck. “Take me home and have your wicked way with me…” She tapped her chin, her green eyes, sparkling deviously, “or maybe it’s my turn to be in charge tonight.”
My steps faltered at her words, and I had to stop so we wouldn’t fall. I gazed down at her as her eyes flashed with heat. “I may have ordered the harness and strap-on we were looking at the other day. What do you think? Up for a little more tonight?”
Her sultry voice and the visual she painted almost had me coming in my pants as I nodded and picked up the pace, practically running for my cottage. The sound of her laughter followed us on the breeze.