Page 143 of Wild As Her

But I’m laughing. And I let him drag me anyway.

Because that’s the thing about Jack Jessop.

He feels like home.

Chapter 38

Jack

Marry Me by Thomas Rhett

Two months later…when you know, you know.

The morning sun stretches over the hills like honey, warm and slow. It’s branding season, which means long days, short tempers, and the kind of sweat that clings to your spine long after the sun goes down. But today, I’m not thinking about cattle or fence lines. Not when I’ve got Cami in the saddle next to me, wind in her hair, sunlight catching on that smile that belongs to me.

She doesn’t know yet. That I’ve got the ring in my pocket. That we’re not just riding to check the perimeter like I told her. That I’ve been building up to this moment for decades.

She looks over and grins. "Race you to the ridge?"

"You trying to lose again, Wilder?"

She kicks her horse and takes off, laughing. Damn if I don't love that woman like a storm loves the sky.

We gallop across the back pasture, wind tearing past us, hooves thundering. The ride that thunders through your chest. And then we crest the hill and they’re there.

The wild mustangs.

A few dozen of them, wild and breathtaking, grazing near the stream that cuts through the eastern edge. Cami slows beside me, mouth parted in wonder.

"Jack," she whispers. “They’re breathtaking.”

"Yeah. Thought you’d want to see them."

She swings down from the saddle, boots sinking into the grass. I follow, heart kicking up hard now. The horses don’t spook, just lift their heads and watch us, cautious but calm. A foal steps between its mother’s legs, ears twitching.

Cami doesn’t speak, not at first. Just watches them like she’s trying to memorize the moment.

I slide my hand into hers. "The state brought them up a few days ago. Been hanging out near the back fence. Figured... maybe it was a sign."

She tilts her head, curious. "A sign of what?"

I tug her a little closer to the big oak tree that anchors the ridge. Our tree. The one we used to meet under when we were kids. The one she carved our initials into at fifteen. The one I kissed her under the first time I ever told her I wanted her.

She turns when I stop walking, eyes catching on mine.

And I drop to one knee.

Her hands fly to her mouth. "Jack."

I pull the box from my pocket. My hands shake with nervousness as I pop it open. My voice is steady, somehow. "I love you. I've loved you since we were dumb kids hiding out in this tree, and I’m gonna love you when we’re old and gray for the rest of our lives. I want to build a life with you. There’s noone else I want to give me hell every day and make every day beautiful.”

I take a breath. "Marry me, Cami. Let me love you for the rest of my life."

She doesn’t answer with words. Just drops to her knees and kisses me like she’s been holding it back for years. When she finally pulls away, she whispers, "Yes. Yes. God,yes."

When I look at her, I see everything. I see our future together walking down an aisle, her holding our babies, and us riding horses with our grandkids someday. I see it, and I know it’s right. This is it for me. It’s her, and it’s always been her.

I scoop her up as I stand and throw her over my shoulder, carrying her towards the blanket I had the forethought to bring with me.

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