Page 58 of Rancher's Pride

“We’ll be back.” Nash’s words brought me back to the moment. He pressed a quick kiss to my lips, which is something he did every time he left the house. Nash told me one night that he thought it was the sweetest thing my parents did. And I had to agree that it was one of the things my father had done that made me know I deserved better than what I had. Nash’s love was everything I needed.

“See ya, Mommy.” Josie waved with her free hand but didn’t turn. I couldn’t help but giggle. She was so much like Nash it sometimes seemed impossible. Apparently, genetics were stronger than the environment in some aspects.

Nash turned and looked over his shoulder and winked at me, before he and Josie walked off the porch and headed toward the barn.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

NASH

Ayear later.

“Hey, we need to talk.” I walked up to Kipp and motioned him to follow me. I walked to the barn and handed him the reins to his horse. “Let’s go for a ride.” Stepping into the stirrup, I took a deep breath and kicked Sackett gently in the sides and he meandered out of the open barn door.

“Lead the way.” Kipp motioned as I rode beside him. Nodding, I nudged my horse's sides, and he took off. We rode for ten minutes and I slowed up and we trotted into the small cemetery on theedge of the ranch.

Opening the gate, Kipp rode and got off his horse, and I followed. We wandered to the large headstone in the middle of the fenced area. Looking at the stone, we were both quiet. “Why’d you bring me here, Nash?” Kipp’s voice was quiet, and I was surprised I’d heard it over my hammering heart.

“Because I need to ask you a question, and I can’t ask your dad, but I can ask you in this place with him watching over.” Taking one long, deep breath, I turned to him and took my hat off. “Kipp, I love Fallon. I always have. I would like your permission to marry her.” There was still a chill in the air, signaling another cold spell on the way before spring arrived.

He was silent, staring at his father’s headstone. I never imagined he’d have to think about it, or would have any hesitation after everything Fallon and I shared. But at this moment, I was worried he wouldn’t say yes. Not that it would have mattered if I would still marry her, even without his permission.

“It’s about time, asshole.” He slapped me on the back and laughed. “You’ve been living with her for almost a year. Playing dad to both the kids. Isn’t that what you accused me of doing?”

“I was angry then. I’m sorry about that.” That wasn’t one of my finer moments and I will always regret taking my mood out on Kipp.

“Just bugging you, man, go ask her. You both deserve to be happy and those girls deserve all the love in the world.” He stood and held out his hand. “Goodluck. You’re going to need it. She’s the toughest one of us all.” We left the cemetery together, and I went to track down the love of my life.

Walking into the house, I heard Fallon laughing. “No, Josie, get back here. You’re dripping all over the floor.” Suddenly, I saw my daughter streaking down the hallway, running straight for me. She was giggling and moving as fast as her toddler legs could carry her. Reaching for one of my hoodies, I wrapped her up when she was close enough and swung her up into my arms.

“Well, you little escape artist, are you making your mama crazy today?” Her laughter continued, and she just nodded through her giggles.

“Daddy.” She giggled as I tickled her feet.

“Thank you.” Fallon sighed when she met me in the hallway. “I miss the days when she didn’t move.” She took Josie from me and got her ready for bed.

“Where’s Lottie?” I asked, looking around, realizing the house was too quiet.

“Already asleep.” Fallon glanced at her watch and frowned. “When did it get to be so late?” She sighed, and I felt a little guilty for being out so long with Kipp.

“Got a minute? I need to talk to you.” I leaned against the doorframe and waited.

“Sure, what’s up?” She handed Josie back to me and went to clean up the mess in the bathroom as I took Josie to get her in her pyjamas.

Finish her still in the bathroom I reached for herhand and pulled her to the hallway. “This can wait,” I said as I handed her jacket to her, I grabbed Josie’s big fuzzy coat and pulled her hood up. “Grab the baby monitor. We won’t be long.” I opened the door, and we walked the short distance to the barn.

“Nash, you’re scaring me. What's wrong?” The concern on her face made me wonder if I should have just asked in the bathroom. I hated making her worry.

“I was prepared to ask you a question in this very spot six years ago, but you were gone.This time I’m going to ask you before you can run away. Fallon Miller, I love you more than I can ever put into words. You asked me not long ago why there wasn’t anyone in my life, and I realized I never told you why.” Shifting Josie in my arms, I took my hat off, and looked down at the woman before me.

“There wasn’t anyone because I’d given my heart away a long time ago. I couldn’t love anyone else the way I love you. It’s always been you. We might have taken the roundabout way of getting here, but please say you’ll spend the rest of your life with me. I want to take care of you, and the girls, be the person that you can count on to be there for it all. Your partner, your equal, your husband. I asked Kipp for permission when we rode out to your dad’s grave and talked to him. It’s what I should have done before. I want the world to know I’m in love with you. Please marry me, Fallon.” Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a ring and held it out for her.

Tears streamed down her face as I waited for her response. “Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said as she flew into my free arm. She buried her face in my jacket and hugged me. Josie wrapped her tiny arms around our legs, even if she didn’t realize what was happening.

I slid the ring on her finger and lowered my head to hers. “Sorry it took so long to be the man you needed me to be.”

“You’ve always been the man I needed. I just wasn’t ready to see it.” Fallon smiled as I leaned down, taking her mouth in a kiss like no other. Passion, and hope for our future, and forgiveness for the past mixed together in a long overdue kiss, sealing our love. It was everything I’d ever hoped for with the only woman I’d ever wanted in my life.

Pulling away, I watched her face go from elated to worried. “What about kids, Nash? I don’t know if I want more.”

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