“Okay,” she managed finally, knowing suddenly it was the right answer. Knowing too that her life was about to change so drastically she couldn’t imagine what would happen next. It was scary to let someone like Dan in, and to allow him to get to know her well enough that marriage was something that made sense for them to talk about, but she wasn’t going to be a coward in this. “Yes! Yes, you can ask me to marry you when the time is right.”
Dan surged upward, lifted her into his arms and swung her in a circle. “Did you hear that?” he called to the crowd on the porch. “She said yes to my pre-proposal!”
They cheered while Sarah buried her face in Dan’s neck, laughing. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked him as he carried her toward the house.
“Positive. Don’t even think of backing out now,” Dan warned her. He set her down and led her by the hand up the steps. “Regan? Mason? Do you think you could stand to have us stay a few more days? I need to spend a lot of time with Sarah.”
“Absolutely,” Mason said. Regan simply threw her arms around Sarah’s shoulders and hugged her tight.
“I’m so thrilled for you. I knew you two were meant to be together.”
“I don’t have any gifts for you,” Sarah said early the following morning.
“I’ve got everything I want right here.” Dan meant it, too. He couldn’t be happier with the way this vacation had turned out. His heart swelled every time he remembered the look in Sarah’s eyes when he pulled out the engagement ring—like she’d received a present she’d hardly ever dared wish for. He’d have to remember that his tough-as-nails soldier wife had her tender places and make sure that he was there standing strong beside her to help protect them.
“I still can’t believe you even mentioned marriage.”
“I’m not going to let some other guy steal a beat on me. Do you need a reminder of how good we are together?” He shifted closer to her, lifting his head to look at the clock. “Think we have time?”
“I think we should make time.” Sarah laughed with delight when Dan pulled her on top him, and he made sure to heartily enjoy his Christmas present.
Several hours later, after gifts were opened under the tree and a fabulous Christmas brunch enjoyed by everyone, Dan went with Mason to check on the cattle. Along the way he opened up about his and Sarah’s hope to open their business somewhere close by.
“I know a place where you could open your business,” Mason said. “Right here. There’s plenty of extra space on the ranch, and we’re close to mountains and rivers—everything you could possibly want.”
“I wasn’t asking—”
“I know you weren’t,” Mason told Dan. “But it makes sense. Look around you—see what we’re up to here? All of us and our wives banding together to make a life? That’s no accident. That’s how you build something special—by working as a group.”
“You’d better ask your brothers—and the women—what they think before you start making offers like that,” Dan said.
“I will, and you’re right—I can’t make any promises yet, but I’m sure I know what the answer will be.” Mason shook his hand. “Congratulations. Sarah will make you a hell of a wife someday. Regan’s so happy for you two she could barely sleep last night.”
“She wasn’t the only one who stayed up all night.” Dan grinned at the memory. He and Sarah hadn’t been able to get enough of each other once they’d gone to bed. He remembered how she’d been flushed and breathless after a round of lovemaking, her hair spread over the pillow, her body rosy with exertion. She was magnificent. A force to be reckoned with. He’d do anything to keep her happy for the rest of her life.
Mason looked amused. “I’ll bet. Why don’t you go spend some time with your new girlfriend and I’ll put the question to the rest of the group?”
“Sounds good. And whatever the answer is—you’ve done more for me than I can ever pay you back for, buddy. Thanks. I mean that.”
Mason clapped him on the shoulder. “No problem.”
“Do you think they’re going to vote us off the island?” Sarah asked as she and Dan walked into the dining room where the couples who lived on the ranch were already seated. She slid into a chair next to Regan, and was encouraged by her friend’s wide smile. Regan reached over, took her hand and squeezed it.
“You’re in,” Mason said without preamble. “We’ve talked it over and of course we’ll have to discuss some details, but the gist of it all is we’d be glad to welcome your business onto our property. We can lease a portion of the ranch to you for a number of years and help you build what you need.”
“We couldn’t ask for more than that. Thanks. Thanks to all of you.”
Sarah beamed as Dan shook hands all around. With his arm around her and the room filling with the happy chatter of the rest of the couples, she felt a glow of belonging she’d never thought she’d feel anywhere else but in the Army. She and Dan had talked the business over and had begun to brainstorm ways to work together. As he asked her opinion and listened to her suggestions, Sarah realized her dream was coming true; she would be an equal partner in the business as well as in their relationship.