Page 49 of Blue Moon Cowboy
“Until this one dies?” Lainey questioned, holding the stem of the fake rose between her fingers.
“That’s the one.”
Lainey seemed to understand what he was saying and implying—that his love would last for the rest of their lives.
He took a step closer to her and got down on one knee, then dug the ring he’d picked out that afternoon from his shirt pocket. Candlelight reflected in the diamond in the center of the ring and the smaller diamonds that encircled the silver band.
Lainey set the roses on a side table as her eyes filled with tears. Jason took her left hand in his and slid the ring onto her finger. Pleased it was a perfect fit, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it before he looked up at her, seeing the answer in her eyes before he even asked the question.
“Will you marry me, Elaina Collins? Will you walk beside me through however many days we have left on this earth? Be my wife, my friend, my love, and the reason I get up with a smile every morning?”
“Oh, Jase.” She nodded her head and tugged on his hand. He stood and wrapped his arms around her before their lips met in a tender kiss full of hope and promises.
When he pulled back, he looked at her in question. “Does that mean you’ll marry me? That you might even like me a little?”
She released a choppy breath, then bracketed his face with her hands. “Jason Jordan Price, I have loved you for months, and will love you until my last breath. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife, your friend, your love, and to wake up every morning to your smile.”
“When, Lainey? When will you marry me?” Jason asked, then didn’t give her a chance to answer when he kissed her again. “Soon?”
She laughed. “You don’t have time to devote to a wife until the rodeo season ends. Let’s wed the first weekend in October. A small ceremony at the church in town with just family. Then we can have the biggest party you want for the reception.”
“I like that plan.” Jason nuzzled her neck and kissed her one more time before he pulled out her chair at the table. “If it sounds okay to you, I’d like us to live here, in this house.”
“Nothing would make me happier,” Lainey said, hugging him tightly before she took a seat.
As soon as he sat across from her, he lifted his glass and held it out. “A toast to the wonder of unexpected love and the blessings of receiving it.”
“To love, and to home.” Lainey clinked her glass to his, her heart glowing in her beautiful blue eyes.
Together, they began turning their dreams for the future into plans.
Chapter Ten
Lainey smoothed a hand down the front of her pale peach dress and then adjusted the brim of the cream cowboy hat she wore, adorned with a band of peach ribbon that matched her dress. She, Brylee, Lisa, and Dani had spent a weekend at the end of July in Boise shopping for dresses, decorations, and anything else they thought might be needed for the house and the wedding.
Between traveling to rodeos, Jason and Lainey had poured every spare minute into making the house on the hill their home.
Lainey felt like pinching herself because it all still felt so surreal. Six months ago, when she’d bumped into Jason, her soul had been weary, and she’d felt completely alone in the world, even if she’d refused at the time to acknowledge it.
Then she’d met a cowboy who changed her life completely. Not only had she fallen in love with a beautiful, incredible, kind man, but she’d been given a wonderful family to love as well.Jason loved her unconditionally, shared with her a family who welcomed her, and gave her a place where she felt at home.
Then again, when she thought of home, it was Jason who came to mind. Not a place, but him.
She bowed her head and silently gave thanks for the abundance of God’s blessings and His perfect timing that had brought her and Jason together.
Lainey took one more glance in the mirror in the children’s Sunday school room at the church where she’d gotten ready. She glanced down at the cream cowboy boots she wore with embroidered roses on the shafts. The moment she’d spied them in a western store in Pendleton, she’d known she had to have them because they’d always remind her of Jason promising to love her until her silk rose died.
That rose was all she carried today as a bouquet. She’d paired it with ferns and baby’s breath, then wrapped the simple arrangement with white lace and a peach ribbon.
Her dress was reminiscent of something Grace Kelly might have worn with a lace-covered bodice and lace sleeves, a belted waist, and a full tea-length skirt. It was elegant and made her feel classy.
When the door opened, and Mike stepped inside, she smiled at the man who was about to become her father-in-law and already treated her like a daughter.
“You look amazing, Lainey. Are you sure you aren’t related to Grace Kelly?” Mike asked with a grin.
“Positive, but you can spread around all the flattery you want today.” Lainey kissed his weathered cheek. “Thank you for agreeing to walk with me.”
“That is my pleasure, sweetheart. I never thought I’d get to walk anyone down the aisle, so this is a dream come true.” Mike gave her a careful hug. “Thank you for making Jase so happy. I haven’t seen him smile this much for a long, long time.”
