Chapter 34
Christmas Eve
He’d never been more nervous in his life. Clayton tugged at the sleeves of his red button-down. As planned, his mother kept Abby occupied all day so she wouldn’t see him.
A knock on his door had him glancing at the clock before he bade them entry.
He turned as Brice and Caleb entered the room.
Clayton noted that both were wearing the new cowboy boots his parents had gotten them.
Unable to wait until tomorrow, his mother had the gifts waiting at breakfast. The boys had been wearing the boots ever since.
“You wanted to see us,” Brice said.
Caleb closed the door behind him. “We didn’t do anything wrong, did we?”
“No,” Clayton said with a smile. “I wanted to ask both of you something. I should’ve done it earlier in the week, but I didn’t want your sister to know anything.”
Brice nodded. “And you didn’t think we could keep a secret.”
“I didn’t want to chance it,” Clayton said. He cleared his throat. “The thing is, I like all of you living here. I want the three of you to continue living at the ranch. And I want to make it official. I love Abby, and I’d like both of your consents for me to ask her to be my wife.”
Brice merely stared at him, but Caleb broke out into a wide grin. “Hot damn. I knew it! I’m all for it, Clayton, and not just because I love the ranch and want to stay here forever. You make Abby happy, and that’s enough for me.”
Clayton swung his gaze to Brice. “What about you?”
“Abby always denied it, but I used to hear her crying in her room at night. She was stressed about everything, and she was lonely. Everything changed when you came into our lives. I’ve seen a real smile on my sister’s face these last few weeks, and I’ve watched all the worries slowly melt away.
” Brice hooked a finger in the belt loop of his jeans.
“You don’t just make her happy, you protect her.
As long as you keep doing that, then I’ll give you my blessing. ”
Clayton bowed his head to Brice. The unspoken threat hung between them, and Clayton had no doubt that if he ever stepped out of line, Brice would be more than happy to not just call him on it, but to take action, as well.
“When are you popping the question?” Caleb asked.
Clayton put his hand on the front pocket of his jeans where the ring rested. “Tonight.”
“That’s why you hung up the lights,” Brice said with a grin. “Shane said it was for the annual party.”
Caleb smiled as he shook his head. “I wish I could be there. Make it special for her. Abby deserves the best.”
“That she does,” Clayton agreed.
Brice elbowed Caleb. “If we go down and help Mrs. Justine now, she’ll let us into the sweets.”
“Good. I’m starving,” his brother answered.
Brice rolled his eyes. “You’re always hungry.”
“So are you.”
That’s when the elder of the brothers grinned. “Yeah. I know.”
The two walked to the door, but they paused and looked back at Clayton.
“Good luck,” Brice said.
Caleb met Clayton’s gaze. “I’ll be proud to call you brother.”
Clayton was taken aback at how Caleb’s words. He saw a glimpse of the man the youngest Harper would become.
Both of the brothers had shown courage, tenacity, and persistence over the last few weeks, alluding to the men they were becoming. It was a bit daunting to know that he’d had a hand in it, and while he was terrified of screwing up, he was proud of the changes he saw in the teens.
Once they were gone, Clayton looked in the mirror again. He raked his hands through his hair, trying to get it to behave. Then he gave up and grabbed his hat.
When he walked down the stairs, he heard Abby’s voice. Just hearing her made him smile. Whether she and her brothers knew it or not, they had become a part of the East family. His parents adored all three of the Harpers, and Clayton was very fond of the boys, as well.
But he was utterly and completely in love with Abby.
He reached the bottom of the stairs and made his way into the kitchen. It was the hub of the house, the place where everyone gathered at all hours of the day. And that was because of his mother and her amazing cooking.
Yet it wasn’t his mother he was looking at now, it was Abby.
The woman who held his heart had her beautiful, long, dark locks flowing freely down her back.
He gazed appreciatively over her mouth-watering curves in the body-hugging, long-sleeved hunter green velvet dress that stopped a few inches shy of her ankles.
She wore strappy black heels that added to her sexy look.
Abby leaned to the side, revealing a slit that traveled up her right leg to her thigh. He went hard instantly. It was all Clayton could do not to throw her over his shoulder and take her upstairs.
Then she turned and saw him. The smile that lit up her face made his heart catch. How in the world had a woman like her found her way into his life? When he thought about everything that had occurred just for them to meet, he couldn’t help but feel it was fated.
She mouthed, “Hi.”
He walked to her and put his hands on her hips. “You look too beautiful for words.”
She beamed up at him. “And you look incredibly handsome.”
“Mom, do you have everything covered?” he asked without looking away from Abby.
“I do,” his mother replied.
“Yep,” his father said around a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie.
As one, Caleb and Brice popped meatballs into their mouths and said, “Mhm.”
“Good,” Clayton said.
Abby raised a brow. “Why do I think you did that on purpose?”
“Because we’re going for a walk.”
Her brows snapped into a frown. “Now? Aren’t there guests arriving?”
Justine smiled and said, “Oh, I think I forgot to tell you we cancelled the party.”
“Come on. Just for a little while,” Clayton coaxed.
Abby smiled and playfully rolled her eyes. “As if I can say no to you.”
He put his hand on Abby’s back and led her away. He glanced behind him, giving the others a wink before he helped Abby into her coat. He slipped his jacket on and took her hand as he walked her outside.
“It’s freezing,” she mumbled.
He chuckled. “Not for long. Trust me.”
She followed when he tugged her hand. Clayton led her around to the back of the barn where Shane had hitched one of the horses to a small carriage.
“Oh, my God,” she said with a delighted laugh.
“It belonged to my great-grandparents.”
Abby walked around it, touching and inspecting the carriage. “Are you taking me for a ride?”
“I am,” he said and held out his hand.
She bit her lip as he helped her up inside the carriage before joining her and covering her with the blanket. Then he gathered the reins, and with a little flick, set the horse into motion.
“This is amazing,” she said, looking up at the stars.
It was a clear, beautiful night. Clayton glanced at the half moon and nodded.
They rode in silence for a spell. Abby then leaned her head on his shoulder. “There’s nothing in the world that can top the day I’ve had.”
“Is that so?” he asked, hiding his grin.
Her head jerked up as she looked at him with wide eyes.
“It’s like I stepped into a movie or book.
The house with all the decorations, the Christmas music, the presents—that seem to multiply overnight under all the trees, I might add—and let’s not forget the amazing smells that constantly come from the kitchen. And now this. It’s been magical.”
“There’s more to come.”
She shook her head. “This is all I need. Being surrounded by friends and having my brothers experiencing such a delightful Christmas.”
He looked at her and smiled before giving her a quick kiss. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
She was about to reply when she looked ahead and narrowed her eyes. “Are those lights?”
“Yep.”
“Way out here?”
“Yep.”
She swiveled her head to him and stared at him a moment. “Are we going there?”
“We sure are.”
Abby didn’t say anything else as the distance closed. She kept her gaze straight ahead, looking at the lights, but Clayton was dying to know what was going through her head.
He hoped she said yes to his proposal, but he was prepared for her to decline. There was no doubt in his mind that she cared for him, and he was willing to give her as much time as she needed to realize that he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d ask her a million times if that was what it took.
When they finally reached the area, he pulled back on the reins to halt the horse and looked over his handiwork. He had to admit, the area did have an enchanted look about it.
Strung between three trees were dozens of Christmas lights.
In a circle around the trees were four cordless heaters he’d bought specifically for this.
And in the middle of it all was a wool blanket laid out on the ground with several pillows of various sizes.
There was a bucket of champagne and two glasses.
“Clayton,” she said in a whisper as she gazed at the setting.
“It’s all for you, darlin’.”
When she turned her gaze to him, there were tears shining in her eyes. “It’s stunning.”
He wrapped the reins around the brake and jumped down before holding out a hand to her. “Come see.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. He helped her down, and they walked to the blanket.
Abby looked up, smiling at the lights. He watched her, awed by how the little things meant so much to her.
He was thankful the heaters were putting off enough warmth so she wouldn’t be shivering.
His woman had a distinct dislike for the cold.
“The lights would’ve been enough,” she said as she faced him. “But the heaters, too?”
“I couldn’t have your teeth chattering.”
“You’re amazing,” she said and threw her arms around him.
He caught her, holding her close. “Only because of you.”
They remained locked in each other’s arms for another minute before he pulled back and tugged her down onto the blanket.
“Even the blanket is warm,” she said with a laugh.
He shrugged but was smiling inside. “Heated.”
She threw back her head and laughed as she tucked her legs against her and leaned on one hand. “How long have you been working on this?”
“All week.”
“Sneaky, but I heartily approve. No one has ever done anything like this for me.”
“I’d like the chance to do it often,” he said.
She looked at him. “Is this your way of telling me you want to date me?”
“It’s my way of saying I love you, and I want you in my life.
” He rose up on one knee, but it took him two tries to get the ring from his pocket because his hand was shaking.
With his heart beating a million times a second, he held the ring out to her.
“Abby Harper, I didn’t know how much my life would change after meeting you, but I thank God that it did.
I’m a better man with you by my side, and I can’t imagine life without you. Will you marry me?”