The fresh scent of lavender rode along his senses as he caressed her body. His hands drifted languidly up and down her spine, soaking up the feel of her skin beneath his fingertips, until every ounce of anxiousness eased from her shoulders.
Intimacy floated from her soul like a deep exhale. She relaxed against his frame, softness melting into the hard planes of his chest, eyes drinking him in.
“I love you, Nash. I feel more when I’m with you. So much more.” She closed her eyes, placing his palm over her heart. “You…you make my soul sing.”
Swamped with desire, he fought the urge to rush, slowing his haste. Reaching into the chest-pocket of the hospital gown, he retrieved a ring, the diamond he’d picked out weeks ago and had been carrying in is jeans pocket ever since.
Nash pinched the platinum band of the rock between his fingers. “This isn’t how I wanted to do this. I had other ideas, a plan, but somehow, I screwed it up. Royally. So here I am, sitting before you in a dress—”
“It’s a hospital gown,” she corrected, eyes glossy and bright with emotion.
“I sit before you in a hospital gown, covered in mud, no intimate dinner for two, or a trip to Paris. No limo.”
“Technically, you did go for a helicopter ride.”
The gorgeous smile engulfing her cheeks set his soul on fire.
“Fuck, I love the way your eyes sparkle.” He dusted a trail of soft kisses near her temple. “And your energy…I get it now.”
“Crazy, isn’t it? You’ve been wandering through life all this time not knowing about the vibe you throw out.”
“I don’t care about the oil. I only want you.” Nash brought her fingers to his lips. The sting of sweet sentiments burned in his eyes. “I’d get on my knee, but I don’t think I can get back up.”
“Nash, please.” Excitement and anticipation climbed in her voice.
“Don’t start that.” His eyes rolled back at the sound of her passionate pleas. “I’ll never get the words out and the entire 3rd floor would need earplugs because I’m not going to be able to hold back.”
“Nash!” Her giddy grin tucked between her teeth.
“I want to grow old with you, Ember Thompson. Have a family with you. I want to be there when you’re flying high on life or when you’re stuck in the mud. I want it all. Every bit of it. Marry me.”
Head bobbing up and down in quick jerky pops, her smile crumpled into a crying mess. “Yes! I’ll marry you.”
Ignoring the tremble in his hands, he slipped the ring on her finger. Ember threw her arms around his neck, showering him with adoration, placing a trail of nips and kisses from his cheek to his throat.
Threading his fingers through her tangled mane, Nash tilted her head back, staring beyond the details of her eyes, reaching straight into her soul. Her soft curves and warm body curled around him like a summer’s breeze. He leaned in, locking his lips on hers, tasting and twisting, savoring the unbearably sweet flavor.
Passion overrode caution. The day’s events, horrific and harrowing, bled through the kiss with hungry strokes of their tongues and grappling of hands.
“How’s he doing?” Monty’s gruff voice broke their connection as he started to walk into the room. Seeing them joined at the lips, he halted at the door.
Travis stood in the open doorway with his shoulder propped against the jamb. He turned to Monty with a slight eyeroll, broadcasting, “Apparently, congratulations are in order. They’re getting married.”
“Did you say married?” JC’s shrieks and the sound of rushing feet clipped down the hallway. Reed in tow, she nearly bumped into Travis sliding up to the door.
“Married?” Mr. Harris’s head poked between JC and Travis. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
Ember’s face lit up like a summer morning sunrise, perfect and beautiful in every way. She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers, extending the four-carat diamond. “We’re getting married.”
Monty’s head shirked back in surprise. After a beat, he crossed one arm over the other, his wiggling mustache giving away his sentiments. Clearing the emotion from his throat, he said, “I guess we still got a little sunshine out of this pitiful day.”
Nash tangled Ember tighter in his embrace, a new brand of happiness riding through his smile.
“She’s my sunshine. Everything else is just weather.”
Epilogue
Ember
It’s great to be loved, but it’s profound to be understood, accepted for exactly who you are inside.
Rays of late day sunlight filtered through the windshield of Mr. Montgomery’s big, red truck warming her icy fingers. Ember had never seen it so clean, all spiffed up and shiny on the inside and out.
Ember closed her lashes and pulled a deep inhale through her nose. Releasing the shaky breath, she reached for Monty’s hand giving it a quick squeeze as she opened her eyes.
He patted her hand, mustache twisting with emotions. “Go on, now. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear from you.”
Words stuck in her throat like a spikey ball. Avoiding another round of waterworks, she opened the door and exited the truck.
Clasping to the bright, white flowy layers of tulle, she made her way toward the bronze headstone. Nerves and sentiments of every vibration danced in her belly. Carefully, she pinched at the fabric of her dress, allowing her to drop to her knees atop the grass.
“Hi Daddy.” Tissue in hand, she dabbed her finger to the wetness collecting at the corner of her eyes. “I have so much I want to say, but I’m not sure where to begin. I love the ranch. It’s beautiful and so much more than I ever expected. Walker Ranch—” She pushed a deep breath from her lungs. “—has found its way into my soul. My heart’s decided I belong here, and I agree. I may not always make the right decision, and I’m certain there will be handfuls of mistakes made, but I promise I’ll do my best.”
Her fingers stole over the headstone, outlining the bronze etching of her father sitting in the saddle atop Storm, gazing out over his land.
Her heart swelled with pride.
“Thank you. Thank you for trusting in me, for bringing me here, for giving me the adventure of a lifetime.” She sniffed out a chuckle practically hearing an oncoming lecture. “I know, I know. It’s hard work…not an adventure, but I plan on rolling up my sleeves and making the most of every moment.”
Ember rose to her feet. Feelings of serenity and contentment washed over her softening her shoulders.
“Today’s my big day. I wish you were here to escort me down the aisle with mom, but since you can’t be here, I’ve asked Mr. Montgomery to stand in for you. Thank you for bringing him into my life. Bee too. They’re wonderful people. Kind of like the grandparents I never got to have.”
Reaching down, she retrieved a single white rose from the vamp of her new boot and rested it in front of the headstone. “I love you, Daddy.”
Making her way back to the truck, she saw Mr. Montgomery standing beside her door wiping the sting from his eyes. She slowed her footsteps allowing him the moment.
“You ready?” he asked, opening her truck door.