CHAPTER FORTY
The Question
Spring had returned to the farm.
Wildflowers bloomed along the fence lines, the pasture had turned a brilliant green once again, and the maple trees were filling with fresh leaves.
Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm.
Luke worked close to home.
Emily loved every morning she spent looking out across the pasture.
The horses greeted them at sunrise.
Oscar still whined about absolutely everything.
Kira faithfully watched over the property.
Winston remained convinced that naps were the solution to nearly every problem.
It was a good life.
A very good life.
? ? ?
One Friday afternoon, Luke left work a little early.
Not because he was tired.
Because he had somewhere to stop first.
He pulled into a small jewelry store in town.
The owner greeted him with a smile.
“Back again?”
Luke nodded.
“I think it’s time.”
The owner unlocked a display case and placed a small velvet box on the counter.
Luke opened it slowly.
Inside was a simple, elegant diamond ring.
Not flashy.
Not extravagant.
Just beautiful.
Exactly like Emily.
Luke smiled.
“That’s the one.”
? ? ?
The entire drive home, the little velvet box rested safely in the center console.
Luke checked on it at nearly every stoplight.
When he finally pulled into the driveway, Emily was brushing the mare near the barn.
She waved.
“You’re home early.”
Luke smiled, trying to act normal.
“Slow day.”
Emily raised an eyebrow.
“You are a terrible liar.”
Luke laughed nervously.
“Maybe a little.”
? ? ?
That evening they grilled steaks and ate dinner on the porch as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon.
The sky glowed with shades of orange and pink.
After they finished eating, Luke stood.
“You want to take a walk?”
Emily smiled.
“Always.”
They wandered slowly across the pasture, stopping to pet the horses before making their way back toward the porch.
Oscar trotted happily beside them.
Kira followed at her usual calm pace.
Winston watched them leave from the porch… and decided the walk looked entirely too long.
He stayed exactly where he was.
Emily laughed.
“He believes in conserving energy.”
“I think he’s perfected it.”
? ? ?
As darkness settled over the farm, Luke stopped in the middle of the porch.
Emily looked at him.
“What is it?”
Luke took a slow breath.
“You remember when we first talked about our dream house?”
Emily nodded.
“I do.”
“And when we dreamed about horses.”
“I remember.”
“And all the road trips.”
“The concerts.”
“The fair.”
“The vacation.”
Emily smiled.
“I remember all of it.”
Luke reached into his jacket pocket.
“There was one dream we never stopped talking about.”
Emily’s smile slowly faded into surprise as he held the velvet box in his hand.
Luke lowered himself onto one knee.
Emily covered her mouth.
Her eyes instantly filled with tears.
“Emily…”
His voice trembled slightly.
“You’ve been my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the greatest blessing in my life.”
“You believed in me when I doubted myself.”
“You laughed at my terrible jokes.”
“Even the gummy bear one.”
Emily laughed through her tears.
“I still can’t believe that joke.”
Luke smiled.
“I want to spend every sunrise, every sunset, every ordinary Tuesday, and every adventure with you.”
He opened the ring box.
“Emily…”
“Will you marry me?”
For a moment…
She couldn’t speak.
She simply nodded over and over again.
Finally, through happy tears, she whispered,
“Yes.”
“Of course I will.”
Luke slipped the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly.
Emily threw her arms around him.
“I love you.”
Luke held her tightly.
“I love you too.”
? ? ?
As if they knew something special had happened, Oscar began barking excitedly around the porch.
Kira wagged her tail and leaned against Emily.
Even Winston slowly stood, stretched, and wandered over to investigate before giving one approving sniff and lying back down.
Emily laughed.
“I think Winston approves.”
Luke smiled.
“I’d say that’s official.”
They stood together on the porch, watching the stars appear above their farmhouse.
The dream they had built together was about to become something even greater.
Soon…
They wouldn’t just share a home.
They would share a lifetime.
And every mile that had brought them here had led to this unforgettable moment.