Page 64 of Maggie’s Match

That night the entire family crowded into the newly remodeled kitchen at the ranch to celebrate the successful opening day once more.

The incredible transformation of the room was thanks to Colton and a bunch of townspeople, who all donated their time to help the family out. Colton had worked endlessly on getting the bakery ready for the opening while still lending a hand to repair the house.

Whatever he’d done in the past was obviously behind him. Even her aunt and uncle welcomed him with open arms.

Becca was talking about moving into his house before their wedding next spring. He had a two-story house in town, and she wanted to be closer to the bakery for those early mornings.

That had Maggie thinking about what would happen when she and Rick returned home. She knew he’d probably moved into one of the ranch houses on Saddleback like he always did when he returned home.

She didn’t mind moving in with him since it was a short ten-minute drive. Still, she’d miss the mornings when she could walk to the bakery from her parents’ place.

She’d driven her Jeep to Bottle Creek and Rick had driven his truck, so the following morning they’d be driving home separately. She was a little disappointed they wouldn’t be driving together, but it would give her a few hours alone to daydream about her future. She had so many questions she needed to answer for herself, and a lot that she wanted to ask Rick as well.

But that following morning, she was happily surprised when Rick informed her that Clay was going to drive his truck back to Fairplay so they could ride together in her Jeep. She was looking forward to having the few hours with him.

When they pulled into Saddleback, Maggie was so glad to be home. But instead of stopping in town at her place or even stopping at one of the ranch houses on Saddleback, he flipped her Jeep into four-wheel drive and turned down a dirt pathway.

When he finally came to a stop, she noticed a blanket spread out by the stream and smiled.

“Hungry?” Rick asked, turning off the Jeep.

“I could eat,” she answered with a smile. She waited as Rick jumped out and rushed over to open her door.

They strolled down to the water’s edge and sat on the blanket. Rick opened the champagne that was chilling in a cooler, then poured them each a glass.

“Who set this all up?” she asked as she waited.

Rick smiled. “Elves,” he answered, causing her to laugh.

“Well, make sure to thank them for me, next time you see them.” She took the glass from him.

“Maggie, I know I did this once, but this time, I think you’ll agree, there’s a much better view.” He motioned around them to the green field filled with wildflowers and tall alfalfa grass. The rolling hills filled with grazing cattle. The slow flowing stream that cut through Saddleback.

Then he surprised her by kneeling on his good knee and taking her hand in his.

“Maggie, I’d give up everything I have, everything I am, to spend a moment with you. I want to spend a lifetime making up for the stupid things I did in my youth. Take an eternity enjoying your smile, your laughter, your love. Please say that you’ll build a home here”—he motioned to the clearing behind them—“and raise a family with me. Marry me.”

She lifted her glass and tapped it to his. “You’re all I have ever wanted. The only man I have ever loved. I could have never imagined a more perfect match. You’re my soul.” She smiled. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Rick smiled and then leaned down and kissed her. And at that second, she knew that this was the most perfect moment in her entire life.