The minute she cleared the trailer and saw him on bended knee holding up a ring, she covered her mouth with both hands and let the shimmering tears fall.
“I found you on a deserted stretch of road. The second I saw you, I knew there was something about you I couldn’t live without. I love you Ella Wolf, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
With each passing sentence she’d closed the distance and stood over him now, staring down at him, a soft smile on her face, her clasped hands pressed to her heart.
“Yes. Absolutely, yes.”
Gabe slid the ring on her finger, shot up, wrapped his arms around her, and spun her around, his lips locked with hers. His heart soared and felt so full it might burst from his chest. The relief washed through him and made him laugh.
“I love you,” he said, his forehead pressed to hers.
“I love you too. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“Good, because we aren’t waiting long.” He didn’t really need the promise that she’d stay with him always, but he wanted it.
A soft bark came from the back of the trailer.
“What is that?”
“Your birthday present.”
“You got me a dog.”
He smiled and brushed his nose against hers. “You wanted a dog.”
She giggled, unable to disagree.
Gabe set her on her feet and took her hand, pressing it to his chest so she could see the ring. Two round diamonds in the center at each of her knuckles with a round emerald on either side where the diamonds met in the middle, making a diamond shape out of the sparkling stones.
“I had this made for you. The diamonds are for you and me. The emeralds for you and your sister. Green stones that are very similar, but different enough if you really look, like your and Lela’s eyes.”
The tears came again. “It’s beautiful and perfect. I love it.”
“You’re beautiful and perfect and I love you.” He held her close, taking in the moment. “Want to see your puppy?”
“Yes!”
Gabe reluctantly let her go and opened the trailer door. The furball rushed out and leaped into Ella’s arms, licking her face.
“He’s potty trained and about four months old, so he’s got some manners.”
“I love him.”
“Good, because it’s you and me and Bentley.”
Ella laughed, trying not to drop the black and white border collie. “Bentley?”
“I like it. It suits us.” He gave her another soft kiss. “Come on. Mom planned a birthday dinner with the family. We promised, remember? We’ll announce our short engagement.”
“How short?”
“We’re getting married before our honeymoon trip to Bora Bora.”
The trip she planned with Lela, but he’d make just as memorable when they went as husband and wife.
Eyes glistening with tears for missing Lela mixed with her happiness, she leaned up and kissed him, then pressed her forehead to his. “Perfect.”
He took the puppy and walked to the truck and set him inside. He closed the door and walked Ella around the front, but stopped before going to the passenger side of the truck. He held her hand and stared up at the starry sky. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“I love it here.”
He heard the truth in her words. She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around her and held her in front of him, staring up at the brilliant sky.
“Did you get everything you wanted for your birthday?”
“You’re all I ever wanted.”
Continue reading for a sneak peek at the second book in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s thrilling Montana Men series
WHEN IT’S RIGHT
Gillian’s turbulent life has never been easy, but nothing prepared her for the moment of violence that sends her and her little brother running from San Francisco to their grandfather’s ranch in Montana. She learned long ago not to trust anyone, but she’ll do anything to keep her brother safe and give him the happy childhood she never had.
When she meets Blake Bowden, a strong, silent, gorgeous cowboy who teaches her about the ranch and rescued horses—animals who have been through hell and back, just as she has—Gillian begins to feel happy and at ease for the first time. But in her world happiness has always been fleeting, and she’s not sure she can believe in it or the man who has quickly found his way into her heart.
Blake has everything he’s ever wanted: a partnership on a ranch that allows him to spend his day in the saddle training racehorses. His life is good, steady, uncomplicated . . . until the most beautiful, haunted looking woman arrives at Three Peaks Ranch. If he wants to keep his ideal life, his partner’s granddaughter is entirely off limits, but Gillian awakens a protective instinct in Blake that he can’t ignore . . . and ignites a passion he shouldn’t feel.