Epilogue Hayden #2
“The Bakers are having their big shindig later today,” she informed us between bites. “Logan invited half the town, including you two. I told him you’d probably stop by.”
“That sounds nice,” I said, glancing at Diego who nodded in agreement.
“But first,” Dolly continued, “presents!” She clapped her hands together like an excited child, her eyes twinkling.
Before I could protest again about not having gifts for them, she was ushering us toward the towering tree. The packages beneath it were wrapped in bright paper with elaborate bows that were clearly handmade.
“Now, I know you didn’t expect to be celebrating Christmas here,” she said, handing me a large, soft package. “But I figured your mama would want you to still have a nice Christmas.”
I felt a lump form in my throat as I accepted the gift. “Thank you,” I managed, overwhelmed by her kindness.
Diego squeezed my shoulder gently, his touch grounding me. I carefully unwrapped the package to find a beautiful handmade quilt inside, with patterns of stars and horseshoes against a backdrop of deep blue.
“Aunt Dolly,” I breathed, running my fingers over the intricate stitching. “This is incredible.”
“Been working on it since you I knew you was comin’,” she admitted with a proud smile. “Figured you might need something to keep you warm during these Texas winters.”
“I love it,” I said, fighting back unexpected tears. The thought of her spending hours making this just for me was almost too much.
Diego received a hand-knitted sweater Dolly said was from Mabel.
It was a rich brown that matched his eyes.
On top of that, he got a new belt buckle that he immediately attached to his belt with boyish enthusiasm.
There were smaller gifts too. Books, candy, and practical items that Dolly knew would be useful for us now that I was staying in Sagebrush for the foreseeable future.
When the last of Dolly’s presents had been opened, I felt a strange mix of emotions.
I was incredibly grateful for Dolly and her generosity, but I still wasn’t sure I deserved it.
And I felt the same way about Diego. I loved him so much, but I wasn’t sure a person like me could deserve so much happiness all at once. It was overwhelming.
“Hey,” Diego said, cupping my jaw. “Don’t overthink it, okay?”
It had only been a few weeks and he could already read me like a book. “Alright,” I nodded, trying not to cry. “I’ll try. I’m just… really happy.”
Diego nodded in understanding as he reached into his pocket. “Well, I do have one more thing for you. And hopefully it makes you happy too.”
My heart skipped a beat as he pulled out a small box wrapped in simple brown paper with a red ribbon. His hands were actually trembling slightly as he held it out to me.
“What is this?” I asked, taking the box carefully.
“Open it and find out,” he replied, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
Dolly made a small noise that sounded suspiciously like a squeal and backed up a few steps, giving us space while still watching intently.
I tugged at the ribbon, letting it fall away before carefully unwrapping the paper. Inside was a small wooden box, hand-carved with intricate patterns of stars and moons. It was beautiful on its own, but I could tell there was something inside.
When I opened the lid, my breath caught. There, sitting on a tiny little black velvet cushion was a gold ring with an emerald set into the center.
“D-Diego…” I stammered. “Is… Is this…?”
He nodded, his eyes full of terror, but never leaving mine. “It is.”
“But you… when did you even have a chance to…”
“When we were leaving Amarillo,” he said simply.
He leaned in close, taking the ring out of the box and sinking down to one knee.
“I know it’s crazy, Freckles,” he said, his eyes growing misty.
“But the moment I met you, I knew you were the man I wanted more than anythin’ in this world.
And after those two days in Amarillo… well, I knew I could never live without you. ”
Somewhere behind us, Dolly sniffled. But I didn’t look at her. I couldn’t look at anything else but Diego, kneeling there in front of me. This was the man that said he didn’t commit, that he didn’t put down roots. And now… now he was asking me the scariest question of my life.
“So, Freckles,” he said, his voice breaking but a grin still on his lips. “Do you think you can live your life with a mischievous, dusty cowboy like me?”
I just stared at him, my heart beating a mile a minute.
“You…” I began, then cleared my throat. “You have to say it properly.”
Diego’s smile widened. “Will you marry me, Hayden?”
“Of course I will,” I said without hesitation.
Diego stood up and took my hand, slipping the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit, like it was meant to be. Before he could say another word, I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him in close as I peppered kisses over his neck and jaw.
“Your stupid,” I said, tears flowing down my face. “This is stupid. We’re stupid. This is crazy.”
“So what?” he replied, looking down at me as if I were the most precious thing in the world. “I love you. And that’s all that matters, Freckles.”
“I love you too…” I whispered, feeling like I was going to implode right there on the spot. I didn’t think it was possible to feel so happy.
Then Diego paused, glancing up. I followed his gaze, my eyes coming to rest on that goddamn mistletoe still hanging from the ceiling.
“One more?” Diego asked, that cocky grin pulling at his lips. “For old time’s sake?”
“Diego,” I replied, glaring and smiling and irritated and happy all at the same time. “Don’t you ever ask to kiss me ever again.” I grabbed him by the back of the neck, pulling him close. “Just fucking do it.”
And then he did.