Page 61 of The Rancher's Heart

Their table on the outdoor balcony, with the sun sparkling off the water, and where they could take in the view of the river and promenade, was ready—a white tablecloth, a short vase of flowers in the middle of the table, a candle already lit, and flowery ceramic plates and cups.

Pulling out her chair, Jonas waited until she settled into the seat.

Once they had placed their order, she broke the silence. “You didn’t need to bring me to a fancy restaurant or send me flowers or DoorDash to make it easier to break up.”

“I think I’m insulted, Sloane Michaels.” He didn’t sound insulted. He sounded amused. Further confusing her, he reached across the table. Jonas took her hand and played gently with her fingers. “I brought you flowers and lunch that I knew you would eat and brought you to thisfancyrestaurant because I’m trying to show you how much I love you. I don’t want to break up with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Sloane’s pulse skittered. It wasn’t possible, was it? “I don’t understand.”

“I love you!”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m very sure.”

“How? Why?” She was afraid to hope they were finally on the same page.

“My dad made a mistake that cost him half his ranch and most of his stock. My mistake was not telling you before now how much you mean to me. I won’t lose you because it took me almost too long to be honest with myself. The last thing I want is to let the arrogance I inherited from Dad to keep me from being the man you need.”

Turning her hand over, holding on, palm to palm, her heart soared. “The man I need?”

He nodded, his charming smile crooked.

“You’re not your dad, Jonas.”

“I’m starting to understand that. I love you, Sloane Michaels. To the ends of the earth and back.”

Her breath caught. “For how long?”

He knew exactly what she was asking. “It seems like it’s been forever. But I really knew when I told the family we were engaged. A light went on in my heart.”

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the balcony. Before she could blurt out that she loved him too, their meal came.

“Is there anything else I can get for you?” their waiter asked.

Jonas kept hold of her hand, keeping his gaze on her face. “We’re fine, thanks.”

He moved his chair around the side of the table so that their knees touched and raised her hand to kiss her knuckles. “I should have asked you to marry me a long time ago. If it’s not too late, what do you say?”

Sloane blinked, her heart thumping as if she was racing for the gold. “I love you, Jonas. I think I’ve loved you since I was in the sixth grade.”

“Stupid me,” he said, dropping to one knee and pulling a small box from his pocket. “Sloane Michaels, will you marry me?”

“Oh yeah.” Without hesitation she threw her arms around his neck. All Sloane’s uncertainty vanished as she looked down at the open box and whispered, “You have a ring.”

“It was my mother’s. She left it to me in her will, hoping I would find the perfect girl to wear it. I have.”

Sloane’s heart turned over. Jonas was everything she wanted. “It’s beautiful.”

Slipping the ring with its bold diamond surrounded by delicate silver filagree on her finger, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her breath away as he promised, “You are my best friend and the love of my life. I give you my heart. I’m yours forever.”

Sloane leaned against his chest. “And I am yours.”

Their meal completely forgotten, Sloane got down to the serious business of showing Jonas just how much she wanted to spend the rest of her life with her BFF, interrupted only by two flutes of champagne brought by their waiter and the round of applause from the other patrons on the balcony.

*

One month later...

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