28. Mags
28
MAGS
Red took over driving duties once we left Jim-Bob hanging on the fence, leaving me time to catch a nap.
When the truck finally comes to a stop, I blink myself awake, looking out the window at my new surroundings.
“Wow,” I breathe, taking in the picturesque snow-capped mountains in the distance that stand tall and proud over the land.
Red looks over at me with a soft smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hey, sleepyhead. Isn’t this place amazin’?”
“It is . The view is breathtakin’.”
“Thought that was my job,” he replies, a mischievous twinkle lighting up his eyes.
“Red Grayson, well I never ," I say, feigning offense with a dramatic hand placed over my heart.
When he just laughs and shoots me a wink, I swear I fall even deeper in love with the man.
Then I realize that something is different and we’re at the rodeo, not the motel. “Has there been a change of plans? I thought we’d unload our stuff first before headin’ to the fairgrounds?”
“An unexpected surprise this time. We’re stayin’ here instead of the motel. As it turns out, the motel was overbooked and had already given our room away so Rod has offered us a camper to stay in. He says it'll give us a 'true rodeo experience'."
“Sounds like fun,” I reply. “Wait, so this isn’t the surprise your phone’s been blowin’ up about? When do I find out what else you've got up your sleeve? I want to know what all those messages you’ve been gettin’ are about.”
He winks but doesn’t elaborate. Instead, he hops out of the truck and moves around to open my door, offering me his hand as I step down onto the dusty ground in front of him. “You really want to know, darlin’?”
“Ah, yes . How can you tell ?” I say, glaring at him half-heartedly.
He rakes his eyes over me. “Hmm. I really don't think you want me to ruin it for you, especially when you'll find out tomorrow anyway…?"
“Ugh,” I grumble but there’s no meaning behind it. I can’t remember a time I met him that I’ve been mad at the man. “You’re lucky I love you and that the mountain spirit has tied us together forever otherwise I’d be really annoyed right now.”
“You’re bein’ very cute,” he muses with a far-too-handsome smile on his face.
“I’m not cute.”
He nods, his eyes a mix of humor and heat now. “Beautiful too.”
"Hmm…" I hum, tilting my head and side-eyeing him. "You may continue…"
His grin widens as he pulls me in close and drops his mouth to my ear. “How ‘bout we find Rod, get the keys to the camper he’s lendin’ us, and I’ll tell you in great detail about everythin’ else I love about you?”
I don’t even try to fight the way I tremble at his words, or how I melt against him. “If you insist.”
“Thought you might say that,” he says before lacing his fingers in mine, locking the truck, and leading me toward the makeshift rodeo office to find Rod.
We’re both up bright and early on Saturday morning, Red makes coffee and toast for the both of us before kissing me goodbye and leaving me lying in bed to go check on the ranch’s new bulls.
Needing to get up, I get dressed, top up my coffee and grab a chair outside to bask in the unexpected sun shining through the clouds. There’s still a chilly bite in the air thanks to the mountains and the hangover from the storm though so I’ve stolen Red’s jacket and put a blanket over my legs to stay cozy.
Staring out toward the snow-capped peaks it occurs to me that there have been no messages from home since yesterday. I thought for sure that the group chat would blow up our phones as soon as Charlie told everyone that we were not only together now, but that we’re engaged too.
Pulling up my messages, I’m even more perplexed when I realize that the ranch group chat we’re all in has been dead quiet for days now. Nobody has been using it, which is simply unheard of. Someone is always posting some meme or joke in there–usually Toby. It’s so unusual that my spider senses are tingling and not in a good way. What if something is wrong? Why else would everyone go radio silent?
Suitably concerned, I decide to talk to the one person I know would never lead me astray.
Mags: Hey, Star. How are things back home?
Star: Hey! I can’t believe it’s almost time for you to come home. I’m missing your Acai smoothies like crazy. Nobody else makes them like you do.
Mags: Aww I miss you. Glad to hear I’m being missed too. I’m definitely ready to come back.
Star: I hope you’re not desperate to come home. The whole point of you hitting the road with Red was to relax and have a break from everyday life. Remember?
Does she really not know?
Mags: Hey, have you had any weird dreams or signs from the universe about big changes or news?
Star: Come to think of it, I have. Can you believe that Gramma has made a new man-friend?
Unfortunately, I’d just taken a mouthful of coffee so it takes everything in me not to spit it out all over the ground.
Mags: What?!?
Star: Yep. And how’s this, they met on a pen pal website for people in their golden years. It’s kind of cute but VERY unexpected. She told us at dinner the other night when Landry and I went over to visit.
Mags: Good on her.
Star: Maybe it’s a sign of good things to come for you.
Mags: Are you saying that you’re never too old to fall in love again?
Star: Yep! There’s hope for you yet, Mags!
If this had been two weeks ago, I might've been offended by that. Now I don't need hope. I've got Red. He’s all I need.
Star: So, for what do I owe the pleasure? I thought you and Red would be at the rodeo in Palmer living it up with all those cowboys.
Mags: Well, I'm looking out over the mountains, drinking my coffee, and loving life. How about that?
Star: I’m so glad. I knew this trip would be good for you. Have you given any more thought to what we talked about during your crystal reading?
Life is what you make of it. But I’m thinkin’ you’re enterin’ a time when you can start thinkin’ about yourself and what you want. The first step is not thinkin’ your life is half over and believin’ that it’s just beginnin’. It starts with listenin’ to your own heart and honorin’ your own needs and desires. You’ve spent so much of your life takin’ care of others, it’s time you start takin’ care of yourself too.”
Oh yeah, I think I’ve aced that test. I’ve finally got everything I wanted—with the man I want everything with.
Mags: Sure have. I have a feeling everything's going to be good from now on.
Star: That’s amazing, Mags. I’m so happy for you. Sorry, I’m just in the middle of something. Let’s catch up when you get home, yeah?
Mags: It’s a date. Lunch with the girls and a book club meetup sounds good.
Puzzled by Star’s lack of a reaction—or much of anything—I decide to open up the Bull Mountain group chat again, quickly snapping a photo of the gorgeous view before sending it.
Mags: Life is SO hard on vacation…
Rhett: It looks it. Hope you’re having fun and are excited to see me and Austin later.
Mags: Sure am. When are y’all getting in?
Rhett: Soon. Not far away now.
OK… that’s kind of vague, and very unlike Rhett.
Mags: Did Red tell you about us seeing a bird that looked exactly like Duck Norris?
Cora: Hey, Mags. Rhett and I saw a doppelg?nger for Dickward at Denali when we went too. Maybe there’s a whole gang of dastardly ducks.
Rhett: Heaven help us all!
Just the thought makes me giggle.
Mags: Any other news? Y'all have been rather quiet this week.
Toby: That’s because you’re on vacation, Mags, my favorite diner owner that ever existed. That means you DON’T want to get bugged by messages from home. Duh.
Mags: Toby… what have you done to my diner?
Toby: What? Why me? It was Landry and Austin, not ME.
Austin: Don’t bring me into this, Tobes. I was just the innocent referee…
Mags: Can SOMEONE please tell me?
Charlie: Don't worry, Mom. They just had a little hot dog eating competition at the diner and Toby pushed past his limit. Would you believe that the Sunday School Sallys got involved and Miss Frankie almost out-ate Landry?
Of all the things I was imagining, Toby Graham pushing his hot dog limit is not the worst thing that could’ve happened. It’s not even the worst thing Toby has ever done.
Mags: I DON'T have to rename the Bull Mountain booth then?
Toby: No need for anything THAT drastic, Mags. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.
Landry: Don’t believe him. He’s NEVER on his best behavior.
Rhett: I think we ALL agree with that.
Red: Why are all of y’all interrupting our vacation?
Toby: Mags started it.
Landry: For once he’s right.
Rhett: See what happens when you DON'T relax on vacation, Mags?
Mags: Hey! Why am I the one in trouble here?
Red: Don’t worry. I’ll deal with Mags. See y’all soon.
Then somehow, the chat disappears off my phone. Like poof , one minute it’s there, the next it’s gone.
I close out of my messaging app and reopen it again, but the chat is nowhere to be found.
Shrugging it off as me just overthinking things, I return my focus to the beauty around me.
Just as I’m considering a walk to track down my missing fiancé, a shadow falls over me. I look up and as if just thinking of the man has conjured him up, Red stands there with a smile playing on his lips. His warm eyes are filled with affection and love but also amusement.
“Enjoyin’ the view?” he asks, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.
I nod as I drink in the sight of him in his hat, black plaid shirt with white undershirt peeking out beneath, and jeans that have seen better days but look sexy as all get out on my forty-nine-year-old man who makes me feel like a teenager just by looking at me.
He holds out his arm and I take it without any hesitation, letting him pull me to my feet. His hands grip my hips and pull me into him.
“Hey, darlin’.”
I smooth my hands over his chest as I meet his hooded gaze head on. “I was just thinkin’ of you.”
His lips curve up. “And here I am. Were you missin’ me?”
“It’s weird. But even knowin’ where you are and that you weren’t far away, it always seems like it’s too much. That’s the Call though, right? I’ve read about it enough times. It’s just strange to actually experience it in real life.”
"I do," he says, nodding. "But just know that even if I'm not with you, I always am."
“You’re far too good at makin’ me swoon, Red Grayson.”
"Hmm," he hums, lifting a hand to sweep a curl behind my ear, sending shivers through me as his finger grazes my skin. Will I ever get used to that? “Not sure about that, maybe it’s just a you and me thing.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Good. Because you’re the only woman I want swoonin’ over me.”
I can’t stop the laughter that escapes me. “Lucky me.”
“Not yet, but you will be,” he replies, dipping his chin and kissing me sweetly.
“Now as much as I want to continue this conversa?—"
“Red Grayson, get your hands off my mother,” a stern voice cuts through the air making me jump back like I’m a teenager caught necking at the lake again.
I stare at Red in complete and utter shock. "What is happenin'?" I whisper to his slow-growing smile. He looks over my shoulder before returning his gaze to me. "You wanted to know what your surprise was?" he says, cradling my jaw in his big hands before brushing his lips against mine far too quickly for my liking. Stepping back, he grabs my arms and slowly spins me around to see Charlie standing there along with Austin and everyone else from Bull Mountain.
“Oh my go—” I get out before Charlie slams into me, hugging me tightly.
“Surprise,” she whispers in my ear.
“But I was just–” I look around the group of smirking ranchers and their Ones. “Y’all were just messagin’ me!”
Rhett holds up the phone in his hand and shakes it. "You mean phones can't travel? Funny, because this one did.”
Austin holds his handset in the air too. “Mine as well.” Then one after another, they all hold their phones up with huge grins, it’s Red’s chuckle behind me that I hear the loudest. Spinning on my boot heel, I put my hands on my hips, my eyes narrowed and ready to spear through him.
Except he's not standing there, he's down on bended knee with the most beautiful silver-crafted ring pinched between his fingers. Tears immediately spring to my eyes, my whole body trembling now.
"You already said yes, but right here, in front of almost everyone we love–bar, Wyatt who already gave us his blessin' anyway. I love you, Margaret Lucille Gallagher. Will you do me the greatest honor– again –and agree to become my wife."
“This time with a ring!” Star calls out, making me snort.
“Darlin’, I’m not just askin’ you to be my wife, I’m also askin’ you to take on that lot, my home, my ranch, I want everythin’ that is mine to be yours,” he says, holding my hand and slowly pushing the gorgeous engagement ring down to the base of my finger. “But most of all, I’m askin’ you to marry me tonight .”
My gasp is so loud I swear the animals back at Bull must’ve heard it. “ What? ”
He smiles, his own eyes glistening with emotion now too. “Marry me tonight, darlin’. In the middle of the arena. In front of all and sundry. I want the world to know you’re mine and don’t want to wait another day to be your husband.”
I stare deep into the beautiful soulful eyes of my best friend, my lover, my One . And there’s absolutely no question as to what my answer will be. I mean, the man just proposed again , and made sure to do it in front of everyone–and with a ring this time too.
“Yes!” I say, tugging on his arms and pouncing on him as soon as he’s back to his feet, kissing him long and deep, pouring everything into it because it’s too much for me to hold inside. “Wait!,” I blurt out, tearing myself away from him. “We can’t get married tonight . I don’t even have a dress!”
That's when the man of my dreams pulls me back into his arms and touches his forehead on mine. "Everythin's been taken care of thanks to a little help from our family and friends. All you need to do is turn up and say those magical little words.”
I grin. “I love you?”
“That’s three, try again.”
“I do!”