“Are you sure? Because I can’t leave. I made a promise.”
“I am sure, and I will help you honor that promise. We’ll see things through together.”
She pressed her fingers to her lips. “That’s about the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. And I know you mean it. You’ve shown me that.”
The weight in his stomach lessened a bit. “And you’ve shown me that I can choose to be happy. Thanks to your encouragement, you’re looking at the new owner of Hartville’s hardware store. It used to be called Collingswood & Henderson’s, but from now on it’s going to be known as C & H Hardware.” He paused as two ranch hands held up a weathered plank with a C, a plus sign, and an H inside of a heart.
Coralee laughed. “That looks just like the heart you carved on the back of my daddy’s woodshed when we were courting all those years ago.”
“It is. You were my best friend then, just as you are now. But I want you to be more than that.”
He dropped to one knee, pulled out a velvet-lined jewelry box, and opened it, revealing a diamond ring. She clasped her hands in front of her gaping mouth. “Oh, Houston.”
“I love you with a love that’s bigger than Texas and California combined. I hope that’s enough, because I want you to be my partner as well as my wife. I know I don’t deserve you, but I hope you’re willing to overlook that. Will you marry me, Coralee?”
“Yes! I most certainly will.”
He took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. Several ladies sighed, and some of the men let out with whoops and hollers, his brother Hays among them.
Houston stood, and Coralee launched herself into his arms, holding him more tightly than she ever had before. He longed to kiss her, but surely, being the Southern lady she was, she’d never allow him to do so in public.
She tilted her head to look up at him. If he wasn’t mistaken, her warm brown eyes held an invitation he wasn’t about to turn down.
He took her face in his hands, pressed his lips to hers, and showed her how much she meant to him. She couldn’t marry him soon enough, because he wanted more of her kisses. Lots more.
All too soon, he was forced to release her. His family gathered around them, showering him with congratulations and offering Coralee their best wishes.
Pa slung an arm around each of their shoulders. “So, when can we expect a wedding? I’m thinking a week from today sounds good. What do you say, Coralee? Would that give you enough time to rustle up a wedding dress?”
Houston held his breath, fearing she’d want time to plan an elaborate event.
She nodded. “A week sounds fine to me, sir. I’ve waited long enough for this day.”
Relief whooshed the air from Houston’s lungs. Coralee was as eager to marry as he was.
“Very well.” Pa raised his voice and addressed the crowd. “We’ll continue with the dance now, but you’re all invited back for the happy couple’s wedding reception this coming Saturday.”
He returned his attention to them. “You told Coralee about your store, son, but does she know that you’ll be a rancher, too?”
“She does now.” He smiled at his finacée. “Pa helped me see that I can do both. I won’t be roping and riding, but I will be—”
“Keeping the books.” Coralee laughed. “You’ll run a fine ranch, Houston.”
“That he will.” Pa gave him a sound thump on the back. “He’ll be a fine businessman, too. And, before too long, I hope, an excellent father.”
Coralee’s cheeks went pink, but she looked Pa in the eye. “I’m sure he will.”
Pa left them, and Houston whisked Coralee off to the far side of the barn, out of sight of the others. He slipped his arms around her waist, claimed her lips once again, and held nothing back as he kissed her. She responded with equal fervor and was breathless when they finally broke apart.
“You’ve made me the happiest woman in all of Texas today, Houston.”
“Well, I’m the happiest man.”
She held out her hand and admired the ring, the diamond catching the last rays of sunlight. “I take it this is what prompted your trip to San Antonio. It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it. I’m sorry about the confusion, though. I would have told you I was going, but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. Finding you here was surprise enough, but then you proposed. I’ve never been as shocked as I was when you dropped to your knee like that. You must have been quite sure of my answer to ask me in front of your family and a whole host of our friends.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “The truth is, I was shaking in my boots.”
“Oh, my darling, you didn’t need to worry. I thought I loved you when I was young, but what I feel for you now is so much richer and deeper than that. I love you wholeheartedly and without reservation.”
He treasured Coralee’s emphatic declaration. “And I love you to distraction, which is why I’m glad you agreed to marry me so soon.”
She smiled. “Of course I did. I don’t think I could wait another day for us to be man and wife.”
Neither could he.