Page 129 of Dirty Cowboy

“I love you too, Eric.”

The moment the words leave her mouth, she stands, closing the space between us. Her hands slide into my hair, her lips capturing mine in a soft, deep, and consuming kiss. Her mouth is full of love and forgiveness.

Applause erupts around us, but it fades into the background, lost in the rushing sound of my own heartbeat, and the warmth of her body against mine.

I pull back slightly, resting my forehead against hers. “Will you marry me? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” I whisper so quietly that only she can hear.

Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out the velvet box. Flipping it open, I reveal Grandma Estonia’s ring, the one I thought she had lost forever.

Emma gasps, her eyes widening. Tears slip down her cheeks, but they’re happy tears, the kind I want to kiss away for the rest of my life.

I’m not asking her to be my pretend fiancée anymore. I’m asking her to be my everything.

She blinks at me, her lips parting on a breath.

“I will,” she whispers, “but only if you agree to live with me on my ranch. Or should I say… Our ranch?”

My pulse stutters.

“You bought the ranch?” My voice comes out hoarse with disbelief.

A tear slips free, catching in the soft glow of the candlelight. She nods, her lips curving into a smile.

“Yes. With Grandpa’s approval,” she murmurs. “And yes, I’ll marry you.”

Emotion slams into me like a freight train. She didn’t just fight for me. She fought for my family’s legacy, and for the home I thought I had lost.

A lump rises in my throat, my hands shaking as I lift the ring from the velvet box. Slowly, carefully, I slip it onto her finger. Where it belongs.

Emma watches, her breath catching.

“Fits perfectly,” she whispers, her voice cracking.

I nod, because I can’t speak. I can’t find the words to tell her how much this means to me, how much she means to me.

So I do the only thing I can.

I wrap my arms around her and lift her straight from the chair, her feet leaving the floor. She squeals, laughter bursting from her lips as I spin us in a slow, dizzying circle. The pub blurs around us, fading into nothing.

She’s finally mine.

Cool grass tickles my bare feet, grounding me as my heart swells with nerves and excitement. The cherry blossoms overhead sway in the gentle breeze, their petals fluttering to the ground like nature’s confetti. The soft hum of the river fills the air, blending with the hushed voices of our guests, creating a perfect harmony of serenity and joy.

I walk down the aisle, white rose petals scattered beneath my steps, my fingers gripping my father’s arm. My chest tightens with emotion, not just because of the moment, but because he’s here, healthy, and strong enough to walk me toward the love of my life. Dressed in white shirts and grey pants, my brothers stand at the front, by the riverbank. I insisted they apologize to Eric, and he quickly forgave them.

Eric turns around in slow motion. He’s framed by the golden light of the setting sun, and my breath catches at the sight of him. He looks devastatingly handsome. His whiskey-brown eyes lock onto mine, filled with deep and unshakable love, and it almost roots me to the spot. He dabs a tissue under his eye and passes it back to his best man, Derek. A smile tugs at his lips, soft and knowing, like he’s been waiting his whole life for this moment.

And let’s be honest, so have I.

The memory of him helping me onto Shadow’s back all those years ago flickers in my mind. I hadn’t known then what that moment would lead to—though I certainly had hope—how every twist and turn in our journey would bring us right here, to this.

To forever.

Cherry blossom petals swirl around us as I reach him, my father pressing a kiss to my forehead before placing my hand in Eric’s. His fingers curl around mine, strong and steady, anchoring me in a way only he can. The world fades, and for a moment, it’s just the two of us.

The ceremony is simple and perfect. We exchange vows full of promises that already exist between us, unspoken but deeply felt. Eric’s voice is steady as he slides the wedding band onto my finger, the warmth of his touch sending shivers down my spine. Grandma Estonia’s ring sits perfectly above the band, like a symbol of love that has stood the test of time.

I barely hear the crowd cheer when we’re pronounced husband and wife. All I know is the feel of Eric’s hands cupping my face, the way his lips claim mine in a kiss so deep and so consuming, it steals my breath and replaces it with his.

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