“Thanks.” She pulled them up under the big T-shirt and rolled them around her waist. She loved being wrapped in his clothes and his scent.
“Don’t forget this.” He picked up the macramé necklace from the nightstand and held it out to her.
“You’re right.” She slipped the necklace over her head and centered the angel pendant near her heart.
“Looks perfect.” He grinned at her, excitement shining in his eyes like a little kid on Christmas morning. “Let’s go.”
She led the way downstairs, a little excited, a little apprehensive. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned around to look at him. “If you got me a Christmas gift, I didn’t get you one. I’m sorry.”
“Misty, you’re all the gift I could ever want.”
“But—”
“Come on.” And he walked with a determined stride toward the Christmas tree.
She hesitated as she took in the wonderful scene. Colorful lights glowed in the deep green of the fragrant cedar. A roaring fire of red-orange flames danced in the fireplace and sent out delicious warmth. The Bluebird of Happiness gleamed on the coffee table. A pristine white landscape stretched to the Red River on the outside of the windows. But nothing was as fine as Trey Duval.
As she walked over, she saw that he’d knelt in front of the Christmas tree. He pulled a cardboard box with holes in its sides from under the tree. He reached inside, murmured something, and looked up at her.
“What have you got there?” She leaned down to get a closer look.
He raised a small bundle of black and white fur up to her. “Merry Christmas.”
“Oh, Trey!” She sat down beside him, took the kitten into her hands, and nestled the little one in the crook of her arm. She kissed the top of the kitty’s head and he gave a soft, contented meow in response. “Slim decided I could raise this kitten?”
“Yes. Sue Ann told Slim about your request. He’s more than happy for you to enjoy the kitten you saved.”
“You saved this little one, too.”
Trey nodded. “We’ll need to bottle-feed him since he was separated from his mother too early. Sue Ann will know what to do, so we can ask her about it.”
“I’ll be happy to do whatever is necessary to help this kitty.”
“Me too. Now, what are you going to name him?”
“That’s a big responsibility. But there’s really only one name that suits this kitten. Noel.”
“That’s just right.” Trey hesitated, as if not quite sure. “Misty, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’ve got no doubt. Will you look at Noel’s collar?”
Puzzled, she stroked the green-and-white Christmas collar. “Pretty.”
“There’s something on it.”
She looked closer and tugged loose a beautiful ring. Sparkling diamonds surrounded a large oval emerald set in rose gold. She glanced up at his face in confusion—but also hope.
“Will you marry me? I’m totally in love with you.”
She gasped, feeling her heart race with excitement.
“That’s my great-grandmother’s wedding ring.” His hazel eyes—ringed with gold, brown, and green—grew dark with concern. “If you don’t like it, we can get something new.”
“Not like it?” She felt tears of happiness fill her eyes. “I love it.” She quickly set Noel gently on her lap, where he snuggled into the soft fabric. Then she threw her arms around Trey’s neck. “I love you. Yes, oh yes, I’ll marry you.”
He pressed fervent kisses across her face, lingering on her lips, before he looked deep into her eyes. “We’ll figure out your job, my ranch, everything later. So long as we’re together, we can work out the rest.”
She smiled as she held out the ring to him, wanting him to be the one to first place her engagement ring on her finger.
He solemnly slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand, and then he gave her a tender kiss.
She cupped his beloved face with her palm, watching her wonderful ring sparkle in the light of the Christmas tree. “I’m happy to make any plans you like—just so long as we have a cowboy wedding.”