Page 120 of All I Need

She comes inside carrying a few bags, proof that she’s been to the grocery store. In the last few months, she’s really come to fall in love with cooking. She’s sold a few recipes to Balance and helped out Christine at Dreamin’ Beans on occasion. Not that I don’t love her working at the clinic with me, but having something just for her makes her feel good and she finds so much joy in it.

“Need help?”

She smiles at me. “That’s okay, this is all I have.”

I watch as she puts things away where she wants them, trying my damnedest to keep my hands to myself because I know that if I touch her, I won’t be able to stop and then the rest of the night’s plans will go to shit.

Her back is to me as she rearranges a few items in the cupboards. “I need to show you something.”

“Last time you said that, I turned around and you were naked.”

I smile at the memory. “I promise it’s not that. Well, at least not yet. Maybe later.”

“Maybe?”

“Okay so most assuredly.” As much as I miss Grayson not living here part time now that Mick’s here, I love having Ellie to myself. And even though we aren’t trying to get pregnant, it doesn’t stop us from practicing. A lot.

“So what did you need to show me?” she asks, folding up the canvas grocery bags and putting them away in the closet by the door. She goes to remove her coat but I stop her.

“Keep your coat on. It’s outside.”

“Oooh. Are you finally going to show me that project you and Grayson have been working on?”

“Yup.”

“Yes! Oh yay! I’m so excited. It’s been killing me.”

I chuckle at her exuberance. She’s not lying, either. She’s been beyond curious about what we’ve been doing but she’s never once peeked.

“Ready?” Taking her hand in mine, Brutus is on our heels as we trudge outside. As soon as the barn comes into view, she looks at me in astonishment.

“How did I not know this was here?”

“Hidden gem.”

“You’ve been hiding an entire barn from me?”

“I just was strategic in the property I showed you.”

She rolls her eyes but she’s also smiling. “I had no idea this was here. Ohmygosh, Walker, baby goats,” she says in awe and spins around. “We can have baby goats now!”

“We can. Want to see inside?”

“Yes.”

I open the barn door for her and she inhales deeply. “It’s almost nostalgic for me,” she gushes. “When Camilla was born, remember that? That’s what it reminds me of in here.”

Just then Camilla makes her presence known and Ellie spins around, rushing toward the direction of the sound.

“Camilla! Oh and look at you, you’re so pretty, baby! My…” her words die off and her hands freeze in their place around Camilla’s neck.

“Ellie girl.” I say and she slowly turns back around.

When she sees me down on one knee, her hand covers her mouth and her eyes well in tears. “Walker,” she breathes out, looking at Camilla and back to me.

“I love you so much, Ellie. You’re my everything I never knew I wanted or needed. I can’t imagine a day that doesn’t start and end with you in it and wouldn’t want to. You are one of the strongest women I know, and I only say one of because Miss Polly would kick my ass if I didn’t call her strong. The most loving, kind, so beyond what I deserve but if you find it in your heart to slum for the rest of your life, I’d be honored if you’d do that with me.

“Marry me, Ellie. Please. Be mine forever.”

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