Page 84 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

It was years since she’d flown a kite at Dobroyd Head. When she was in high school, she’d played field hockey on the oval near the playground. The bushland in the surrounding national park provided spectacular views across the harbor toward Manly.

Two ferries crossed paths in the choppy water, the boats rocking and rolling as they passed through the open sea between North Head and South Head. The Tasman Sea lay beyond the coastline, a sizable chunk of the south-western Pacific Ocean that connected the east coast of Australia with the west coast of North America.

Becky had returned to her old job as a tour guide in Sydney. She was happy that Sam had arrived after the hectic October school holidays. She’d taken four weeks leave from work to spend more time with Sam in Australia, and an additional four weeks for her trip with Mum and Sam back to the States. Sam’s family had invited her parents to visit their Colorado ranch. Dad would visit for a week in November, and fly home with her and Mum.

She hadn’t made firm plans with Sam regarding their Australian itinerary. She’d promised Sam a horse riding adventure somewhere. In the States, they’d planned a road trip to the Rockies via Denver and Colorado Springs. They’d celebrate Thanksgiving at the ranch.

Sam pulled in his kite, gliding it into a graceful landing on the playing field. She crash-landed her kite on the grass.

Sam laughed. “I think you need more practice.”

She poked out her tongue. “I told you I hadn’t flown a kite in ages.”

He gathered the kites and they walked together to Mum’s SUV. Becky beeped it open, and they stowed the kites on the back seat. She was the designated driver, and Sam had to cope with being in the passenger seat. He wasn’t complaining, now he understood her wrong-side-of-the-road confusion.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She snuggled closer, having missed his kisses during their months apart.

He tipped up her chin. “Let’s go for a walk to the lookout.”

“Why? I’m happy to stay here and kiss you.”

“We can kiss anywhere.” He tugged on her hand. “I want to see the lookout.”

“Okay.” She chuckled and wrapped her arm around his waist. A signpost directed them to the path.

They reached the lookout and she cupped his face in her hands. “I’d rather kiss you than stare at the view.”

He grinned and unzipped his jacket. Plucked a small jewelry box out of a pocket in the inner jacket lining.

Becky squealed. “Sam. Is that a ring?”

Sam dropped on one knee and looked up, his blond curls ruffled from the breeze. He opened the box. A diamond solitaire in a yellow gold setting sparkled in the sunlight.

She placed her hand over her heart. The ring was exquisite. It was happening. He was proposing. Here. Now. She wore no makeup, only sunscreen, and her hair was a windblown mess.

He held her hands, held her gaze, and captured her heart.

“Becky Montford. I love you, and I’d love to spend the rest of my days with you. Will you marry me?”

Her heart lifted higher and expanded wider than the magnificent kites they’d flown. “Yes. Yes. I love you, Sam Williams.”

He slid the ring on her finger and over her knuckle. A perfect fit. He stood on both feet, lowered his head, and kissed her.

She stood on tiptoes and ran her fingers through his curls. Warm tingles thrilled her. His arm circled her waist, holding her close. She loved this man and couldn’t wait to marry him.

They came up for air, and she wrapped her arms around his back, resting her cheek on his chest.

“Top marks for surprising me.” She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. “How did you make this happen?”

“Mel.” He smoothed loose strands of hair off her face. “We went shopping when you were busy with your mother.”

She loved Mel. “My sister is sneaky. Do my family know about this?”

He tipped up her chin and stared into her eyes. “They’re planning a family celebration tonight, and an engagement party before we fly to the States.”

“Let me guess.” She could drown in the depths of his warm gaze. Full of love. Full of hope. “We’ll have a second engagement party in Colorado.”

“Yup. Our mothers have been talking.”

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