Page 378 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

He grabbed her hand and led her through the house past his mom, who gave him a quizzical look. When they reached the front door, he held it open for her. They stepped out onto the wraparound porch together. Patches of sunlight broke though light grayclouds.

“The rain stopped,” he said. “Comewithme.”

She walked by his side toward the lake. When they’d walked far enough to get out of view of the house, he took a deep breath. He’d never been impulsive before, but then again, ever since he’d met Daisy, he’d done one crazy thing after another. So what he was about to do wasn’t as outlandish as itseemed.

He stopped walking and turned to her. A ray of sunshine cast a stream of light across her face. Yes, she’d run from him, but she’d also realized that she really loved him. She’d come back. And for that, he could push aside his hurt to do the thing he’d wanted to do forweeks.

As he dropped down on one knee, she covered her mouth withonehand.

“What are you doing?” she asked inwonder.

“I love you, Daisy. I’ve waited my whole life to find someone like you. You’re carefree and fun and loving and loyal. You’re extremely loyal. I see that now. I understand why you left to finish your mission to take Andy to Canada, and Iforgiveyou.”

She choked outasob.

“And I want to be with you for the rest of our lives,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy. Being a farmer’s wife is hard work, but I know you can do it. I saw the way you tackled the harvest. It’s like you were born to worktheland.”

“I love being outside,” she said. “I could never imagine being trapped in a home in suburbia. Working on the farm made me wish I could spend every dayoutside.”

“It snows in the winter,” he said. “Alot.”

“I know.” Shesmiled.

“Well, do you think you’re ready for all of this?” heasked.

“Iam.”

“Then Daisy, will youmarryme?”

“Yes,”shesaid.

She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him. As his knees sunk into the mud, he kissed her with every ounce of love he had. He couldn’t believe she’d come backtohim.

Shelovedhim.

He buried his face in her hair and clung to her. All of the turmoil and pain of the last few dayswasgone.

“We just have to do one more thing,”Daisysaid.

“What’sthat?”

“Break it to your parents,” she said with aslygrin.

He laughed and stood to help her up. “That will beinteresting.”

“Is your dad going tofreakout?”

“Probably, but he’ll getoverit.”

He laced his fingers through hers. As they strolled back to the house, the clouds cleared to reveal the setting sun. Fiery pinks, oranges, and reds blazed across the sky. He couldn’t wait to watch a million sunsets with her. She’d just made him the happiest man in theworld.

Chapter15

Woodstock— August 15-17,1969

Daisy stoodon top of the bus in the middle of the largest crowd of people she’d ever seen in her life. There had to be at least a few hundred thousand people dancing in the rain. It was the second day of the festival and she still hadn’t been able to find Meadow or River. The sheer number of people made itimpossible.

“Sit down, hon,” Greg said. “We’re probably not going tofindthem.”

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