Chapter 34 #2
The table erupts into a chorus of laughter.
I lean into Wyatt’s side, shaking my head. "I'm staying out of this one, boys. I don't want to be a witness to a murder by insult."
Wyatt doesn't join in the teasing. He’s quiet, his hand resting firmly on my thigh under the table. His thumb is tracing small, distracted circles against my thigh through the pale blue satin of my dress, and every time I look at him, he seems to be memorizing the exact shade of my eyes.
"You okay?" I whisper over the roar of the table. I’m totally giving him heart eyes right now.
"Better than okay," he murmurs with a reassuring vibration. He glances toward the head of the table, where Owen is holding court, looking like he’s enjoying the attention of being the host. "Just ready to get you alone for five minutes."
By the time the cake is cut and the moon has crested the peaks of the Yellow Bell Range, the barn is vibrating with music, and the feeling of love is infectious. Wyatt catches my eye and tilts his head toward the double doors.
"Walk with me?"
I nod, letting him lead me out into the crisp night air.
The transition from the humid, loud barn to the silent moonlit yard is slightly jarring. The grass is dampening with evening dew, and the only sound is the distant, rhythmic rush of the creek.
We walk in silence toward the old oak tree near the edge of the property. Wyatt stops suddenly, turning to face me. He looks nervous. It’s not really a look I’ve ever seen on him, not even when the bulldozers were at the gate. It’s a little unsettling.
“You sure you’re okay?” I ask. “You’re acting kinda weird.” A shiver catches me off guard and travels down my spine.
“I told you, I’m fine,” he says, shrugging off his jacket and draping it around my shoulders, pulling me into him so I can share his warmth. “Can you believe you’ve only been back here four months?”
I shake my head, watching the moonlight reflect off his rich, mahogany eyes. “How can it feel like a lifetime and five minutes all at once? Do you ever wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t called your dad that night?” Not sure I’m liking the alternative universe I’m suggesting.
“Nope. Because it doesn’t bear thinking about.” He takes a breath, his eyes dropping to mine. “There is no universe that exists where you don’t end up in my arms, Emily Callahan.” He says, taking a step away from me.
“Wyatt—" I say, confused at the distance he’s put between us.
Before my mind can compute what’s happening, Wyatt is reaching into his pocket and dropping to his knees.
“Oh my—Wyatt?!” I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth to stifle a sob.
The sight of this massive, powerful man lowering himself in the dirt for me makes my knees go weak.
He pulls out a small black velvet box, flipping it open to reveal an emerald-cut diamond that catches the silver moonlight.
“I don’t have some big fancy speech prepared, Em,” he starts, his voice trembling with an emotion I’ve never heard from him before.
“But all I know is that this ranch didn’t feel like a home until you came back.
Twenty-three years ago, it felt like a part of me walked away the day you left.
I never forgot you, and I never want to be without you ever again. ”
Tears are blurring my vision now, too hot against the cold night air. I can feel every word. Every tremble in his voice.
“My son loves you like a mother,” he continues, his gaze locked on mine with a rawness that makes my heart ache. “And you are that to him, Em…he’s our son.” He draws in a breath. “I guess…I guess what I’m trying to ask you is, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I whisper, the word barely leaves my throat before it’s replaced by a broken sob of pure joy. “Yes, Wyatt. A thousand times.”
I lunge toward him, my palms framing his stubbled jaw as I pull his face to mine. I kiss him with everything I have. Every year of longing, every fear of the past, every hope I dared to have for a safer, better future, is right here.
“Get off the dirt, you big fool.” I sob against his lips, laughing through the tears. “I love you so much, baby.”
“I love you too, Emily Callahan,” he murmurs, his arms winding around my waist as he stands, lifting me clean off the ground and spinning me in the moonlight.
The world blurs into a swirl of stars against the night sky, before he sets me down gently again. This whole moment is so quintessentially him. There’s no big show, no rehearsed speech, just him and his unfiltered honesty. That’s all I need.
My hands are trembling as he takes my fingers in his big, safe grip and slips the ring into place.
“Wyatt, it’s beautiful,” I gasp, my other hand pressed to my cheek in disbelief.
"I'm glad you like it, baby. I took a huge risk on it,” he says, sniffling through his own thick emotion. “I know this sounds crazy, but I bought it on the way to Oregon. The night I came to tell you I love you.”
What?
He bought me an engagement ring before he’d even told me he loved me? My heart feels like it’s about to shatter into a million pieces.
“Are you serious?” I half-laugh.
“I know, I know, it’s insane,” he chokes out, trying to compose himself. “But Em, I knew the moment I cleared the ranch gates that I needed to be with you for the rest of my life. I would’ve dropped down on one knee that night, but I was terrified you’d think I’d lost my mind.”
His voice sounds so vulnerable right now, I almost can’t take it.
I let out a tear-soaked laugh, lacing my fingers into his hair to pull him back into a devastating kiss. “You are insane, Wy. But God, I love you for it.”
He pulls back just an inch, gazing deeply into my eyes. A triumphant, boyish grin breaks out on his face. “You ready to go tell our boy?”
The thought of Alex makes my heart soar. He’s going to lose his mind, but I’m suddenly struck by a moment of panic.
“Oh—Wyatt, we can’t go in there announcing this. I don’t want to steal Sarah and Chuck’s big day.”
He lifts a brow. “Baby, Sarah isn’t like that. They’ll be over the moon for us. It just means we’ve got a reason to keep this celebration going all night.”
Before I can protest, he scoops me into his arms, carrying me effortlessly across the grass. I squeal with delight as he gently nips at my shoulder, and the sound of the party vibrates louder as we near the barn.
He sets me down gently just as we reach the threshold. He gives me one final triumphant kiss and wraps his arm possessively around my shoulder. He gives me a look so hot it almost melts the panties off me right then and there.
“Ready?” he murmurs.
“Ready.”