Epilogue
JASMINE
The entire arena vibrated with the roar of the crowd. The lights were bright, and the stands were full. Electric energy crackled in the air, and my body hummed with anticipation.
My first professional barrel race.
The nerves I’d expected to feel were barely a buzz beneath my skin. Excitement fluttered in my belly, and fierce determination coursed through my veins. I’d worked so hard to get here. I was going to soak up every second. And I was going to throw my all into this race.
Despite my accident last year, I’d still dominated the circuit and caught the attention of some of the higher ups at the professional association.
When the video of me falling off my horse went viral, I was offered a sponsorship from a major medical device company.
They hooked me up with all new equipment for managing my diabetes and got the biggest rodeo magazine in the country to do a full spread on me.
They even offered to buy me a new trailer with living quarters but wanted me to do a commercial in exchange.
I told them, “No thanks.” I didn’t need a new trailer when the one I had held so many precious memories.
Besides, I didn’t want my face popping up on TVs all over the country.
I’d gotten a taste of that type of attention after that viral video and had no desire to repeat it.
All of that led me here to the biggest moment of my career. This was everything I had worked so hard for over the last few years. The countless hours of training, the sore muscles, the hundreds of miles spent on the road; they were all worth it.
The rider ahead of me finished her run and breezed past me as she returned to the chutes.
I gripped my reins tight and adjusted my posture in preparation for our turn.
Juniper snorted and rocked beneath me. She felt the shift in the air and could sense the energy winding up in my muscles.
At the signal, we shot out into the arena.
Every snippet of advice Gabe had given me over the years played on a continuous loop in my head.
Juniper and I were so in sync. We’d perfected this circuit over the last year and could probably run it in our sleep.
“Come on, girl,” I urged as she sped toward the final barrel.
We were making good time. I could feel it.
She expertly made a tight loop around the barrel and raced down the final stretch.
A huge grin split my face as we entered the chutes.
I probably didn’t have the winning time considering I was a rookie and there were world champions competing today, but it might just be good enough to place.
I glanced up and saw Gabe waiting for us, and adoration filled my chest. His eyes lit with pride and affection. His lips curved into a pleased grin, and it made me want to kiss him silly, audience be damned.
He had been my rock and my biggest cheerleader these last several months. He’d accompanied me to every single race. Win or lose, he was there. His love and support never wavered even during the most trying times of our relationship.
We trotted toward him, and when we were about twenty yards away, he slowly lowered to the ground. Confused, I slowed Juniper’s pace, worry taking root in my chest. Did he not feel well? Was he hurt?
He planted one knee in the dirt and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small black box.
Time seemed to slow, and all sound around me faded into the background as the pieces fell into place.
If they announced my time, I didn’t hear it.
All I could focus on was the man kneeling in front of me.
I was out of my saddle and standing over him in a flash.
He opened the box, and I covered my mouth as a gasp fell from my lips. Nestled in the box was a stunning pear diamond halo engagement ring. The border surrounding the setting was shaped like tiny metal studs. The ring was classy with a western flare.
It was perfect.
“Gabe,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. His earnest gaze locked on mine, and a mixture of hope and trepidation swirled in the churning blue depths.
“Jasmine, I have never loved anyone like I love you. No one has ever cared for me or challenged me the way you do,” he added with a knowing smirk, and a teary laugh bubbled up my throat.
“You showed me what it meant to fight for love, to go after what you want no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. I will be forever grateful that you didn’t give up on me, that you didn’t give up on us.
And I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I was worth it, that our love is worth your persistence and every hardship we had to face to be together. ”
His throat bobbed with a rough swallow, and his eyes glistened. He was somehow keeping a tight hold on his emotions while I had tears pouring down my face. “So please,” he continued, his voice cracking, “do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, I launched myself at him. He caught me with an “oomph” and nearly fell back on his ass. I gripped his face with my hands and slammed my mouth down on his. He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tight.
“Yes,” I whispered against his lips. “A thousand times yes.”
“Only a thousand?” he asked, punctuating the question with a kiss.
“Hmm, more like a million. Or maybe even a billion,” I corrected, grinning like a fool. He rested his forehead against mine and closed his eyes.
“How about infinity?” he asked, his voice husky. Then he pulled back, his eyes searching mine.
“Yeah,” I replied with a soft smile, “that sounds about right.” Infinity. Forever. I wanted it all with him.
“Give her the ring,” a familiar voice shouted from behind Gabe. My head snapped up, and I caught sight of my family standing off to the side watching the entire scene unfold. That had been Rowan’s rumbly demand. Fresh tears welled in my eyes, and I looked back at Gabe.
“You brought them all here?”
He nodded. “I knew how important it would be for you to have your family present, so I made arrangements for all of them to come.” My parents had lied to me and said they couldn’t make it.
“Those sneaky little shits,” I grumbled, but it was halfhearted. Gabe barked out a laugh.
“Give her the ring already before Jacek goes into anaphylaxis or passes out from the Benadryl,” Nash called.
Oh, shit. Jacek.
My brother wiped at his nose as his droopy eyes watered. They needed to get him out of here and quick.
Gabe pulled the ring out of the box, and I held out my trembling hand. He slipped the cool metal band onto my finger then kissed the knuckles just above where it rested.
“It’s perfect,” I said as I admired it beneath the stadium lights. It was gorgeous. I’d never seen a ring more suited to me and my style and personality. Plus, it fit like a dream. How did he…?
“Wait, where did you get this?” I asked.
“I had it custom made,” he replied sheepishly. “RaeAnne and Rose helped me with the design.” Just when I thought this man couldn’t get any more thoughtful, he went and did that.
I threw my arms around him and kissed him again.
We stood and my family surrounded us, offering us their congratulations.
I held my breath when my dad approached Gabe, hoping this beautiful moment wasn’t about to turn ugly.
He stopped a few feet in front of my new fiancé, his features stoic and expression unreadable.
Gabe straightened his spine and looked my father in the eye, holding his stare for several long seconds while I held my breath.
A hush fell over our group, and not a single person moved.
Then Dad cracked a smile, and the tension in the air dissipated.
“Welcome to the family,” Dad said.
“Thank you,” Gabe replied, holding out his hand for a shake. “And thanks for not shooting me when I asked for your blessing.”
What?!? He’d gone to my dad and asked for his blessing? That was news to me. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though. Gabe always tried to do the honorable thing even if it meant hurting himself.
Dad gripped Gabe’s hand, placing his free one on Gabe’s shoulder.
“I can’t think of a better man to entrust with my daughter’s heart.
” He jerked Gabe forward into a backslapping hug.
They embraced for a long moment, and I witnessed the gulf between them finally knit closed.
Something inside me healed at the sight.
They released each and pulled back, both their eyes misted over, but they looked content, like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. “Besides,” Dad added, “you were going to ask her whether I agreed to it or not. There was no sense fighting it.”
Gabe’s loving gaze slid to me, and a soft smile played over his lips. “You’re right. I wouldn’t let anyone or anything keep me from spending the rest of my life with the woman I love.”
The End
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