Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

Carter

T wo weeks later

Carter was still healing but felt better each day. He’d been released from the hospital the day after they’d woken him up and Ashley had come home with him.

Getting back had been hard. The burning building had been Jace’s small cabin. While he’d thought they needed to replace it to make it fit JJ and his daughter, he hadn’t wanted to do it that way.

Jace had been worried about his son coming with nowhere for them to stay but had managed to keep the ranch running despite the concerns. Carter had talked it over with Ashley and they’d let all three of them move into the main house while a new house was built.

Ashley had agreed to stay with him and was really getting into ranch life. Tonight, he planned to ask her to marry him at the pond where they’d first made love. He hated that the most recent memory of being there was of Julian, so he planned to chase that away.

“As soon as you’re healed, you owe me a horseback ride,” she reminded him.

They were walking through the barn as he tried to keep her distracted while Jace and Trudy, his housekeeper, were setting up a blanket, dinner, and candles for them.

“It’ll be cold soon,” he said.

“I don’t care. You promised me a ride on a horse, and I want to. And no”—she stopped him before he spoke—“I don’t want JJ or Jace to take me.”

He grinned. “As soon as I’m cleared to pick you up, we’ll do that.”

“Good,” she said with a sharp nod.

They hadn’t discussed how long she’d be staying with him, but he hoped tonight would mean it was forever. His only nerves were because she was the one changing everything in her life, not him.

While he was sure she loved it here, now that the threat was gone, things could be different. Being here for a bit and living here were two different things. Ashley seemed happy, but he doubted she would tell him if she wasn’t.

The only thing that had changed between them so far was that each night, they told each other I love you. It was the best part of every day, and he looked forward to sharing the bed with her each night.

“Have you talked to Ryker?” she asked.

“Yeah. Why?”

“I was just wondering how all that was going.”

“The training center?”

She nodded. “Anything else?”

“No? Should there be anything else?” He was curious now.

His phone chimed and he ignored it, waiting for an answer from her.

“You should answer that.” She pointed to his pocket where the phone was.

“We aren’t done talking.” He wanted to know what she had to say more than what was going on on his phone.

“You’re right, but can we tonight?” She looked away from him.

He sighed but pulled his phone out.

Jace: Trudy says we’re done. Give us five minutes to get out of here.

Carter smiled.

Carter: Thank you.

Jace: Good luck tonight.

He put his phone back in his pocket and reached for Ashley’s hand. “Take a walk with me?”

She nodded and let him lead her from the barn. “Where are we going?”

“To make new memories.”

Ashley blushed. He loved that she still did that when she thought of anything with him. That wasn’t what was on his mind for the pond right now, but tonight, after they talked, he was more than interested.

“I want to take you to the pond, but if you aren’t ready to go down there, just tell me. I won’t be upset.” He’d be sad but understanding.

“It’s fine, I think. Probably should visit there now.” Her voice wasn’t steady.

He stopped them and waited for her to face him. “If you aren’t ready, it’s fine, really.”

“No. I liked the pond before, and I don’t want Julian to take anything from me.” Ashley pulled his hand as she started walking again.

As they neared the water, Carter could see everything set up. A blanket was spread out with a few candles holding it in place. They were fake because no one wanted another fire here, but the thought was there.

A bottle of wine and two glasses were on the blanket. Carter reached into his other pocket, making sure the ring box was there for the millionth time today.

Ashley gasped. “What is this?”

“I told you, new memories.” He let her pull her hand away as she stepped forward to see the setup.

It was simple, but it felt perfect for them.

“Wine?” she asked. “This is amazing. Who set this all up?”

He shook his head at her practical nature. She wouldn’t just enjoy it without knowing all the details to thank people later.

“Trudy and Jace,” he answered

“It’s perfect.” She took a seat and patted the blanket next to her. “Come sit.”

He stepped forward but took a knee instead and held the ring box out to her. “Ashley, I know we started off rocky, but I’m hoping the last several weeks have shown you how much I do love you and want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?”

Tears slid from her eyes as she stayed silent.

Suddenly nervous, Carter didn’t know if he should move, leave, close the box, or what.

“Yes.” She sprung from her seat and launched herself at him, carefully avoiding his injured side.

He held her tight with one arm as they both worked the ring from its resting place in the box. Sliding it on her finger ranked up there with one of the best memories of his life.

The ring was a work of art. Catherine had helped him find it and then flown it out to him two days ago when she’d come for a visit. He’d paid for it but put in painstaking effort to make sure it was just right.

He wanted her ring to suit her and show off who she was. It was a simple band—nothing too flashy would do for Ashley or work on the ranch. But he’d had the stones set in a pattern that represented them. There was a diamond in the middle and each of their birthstones on either side.

“I love you so much.” She wrapped both of her arms around him.

“I love you, too.” He meant every word, even with the feeling they weren’t strong enough for how he really felt.

Ashley reached up and put one hand on his neck, bending him down to her for a kiss. Carter dropped the ring box on the ground as he teased her lips with his tongue, lifting her up.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he felt her smile against him. Carter held her there, pouring all his love into this one magical kiss.

Setting her down, he sat on the blanket beside her, pouring them both a glass of wine. He cleared his throat. “I was hoping that maybe you’d want to stay here and fully move in with me?”

“Yes, a thousand times yes. I guess I can tell you about Ryker now.” She giggled as she sipped her wine.

“I’m intrigued.” More than that, he needed to know.

“He offered me a big job at the headquarters and training center you proposed. It seems he knew more about where we were headed than we did.”

Carter breathed the biggest sigh of relief he’d ever felt. “Are you thinking about taking it?”

She nodded. “I wanted to make sure you wanted me to stay here first.” She held up her hand to look at the ring. “I think this means you do.”

“I absolutely do.” He never wanted her to leave his side.

“There’s more that he wants from you, though.”

“The leading a team thing? He talked about that. I won’t take it if it makes you uncomfortable.” He would do whatever it took to make sure she was always at her happiest.

“I won’t lie, I’m not thrilled with it, but I wouldn’t dream of stopping you from doing something you want to do. If you want to, we will find a way to make it work.” Her voice was confident and he didn’t sense a lie.

“I’m interested in it, but in leading from afar and rarely going into the field. I don’t want to put my life in jeopardy anymore.” It was a lot to take on, but they would make it work.

“That’s great. As long as we are both happy.” She took another sip and lay back on the blanket to look up at the trees. “I can’t believe all that we’ve been through in such a short time. Are you sure you want to work together?”

“I don’t ever want to be apart from you, so yes, I think it will work.”

She blushed. “I want the same. And I’m so happy with the new memories here. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle coming back here, but seeing this all helped me so much. Now I get to remember you proposing to me and love this place again.”

“That’s all I wanted. This place is too great not to be enjoyed.” He was happy to be able to share it with her again.

“I can’t wait to tell my family. They’re going to be so excited for me, even Luke.”

“Umm, I have a confession to make. I may have asked Luke for his permission because it felt important, and Catherine helped me find the ring. She brought it when she visited.”

Ashley sat up quickly. “Stop it. You guys hid it so well. I love that they know.”

“I’m thinking a winter wedding.” He eased her back to the ground, moving their wine glasses out of the way.

“A winter wedding sounds great. Just friends and family. Can we do it right here?”

“I am a thousand percent sure your sister could make anything happen anywhere. Have her help plan everything and I know it’ll be exactly what you want.”

“What about what you want?”

Carter kissed her lips. “I just want to marry you, so whatever makes you happy makes me happy.”

“I think you’re trying to get out of planning,” she teased.

“Maybe.” He kissed her again, stopping all conversation.

An hour later, they dressed and headed back to the house to tell everyone their news. It had been a great night so far, and he knew their friends would be waiting to celebrate with them.

They snuck in like a couple of teenagers, only to get caught by Jace. “I take it we are about to have a new boss lady?” He was smiling from ear to ear.

“Never a boss lady, but how about an addition to the family?” Ashley went to Jace and hugged him.

The old man turned red and hugged her back. “I think that sounds great.”

“You have to stay for the wedding. I’ll plan it all and let you know when it will be.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Jace came over and gave Carter a rare hug. “Your parents would be so proud of you.”

Carter teared up at the mention of his parents’ approval. “Thank you.” He quickly wiped his eyes as Jace stepped back.

“Trudy planned a celebration for tomorrow night. All the hands and I don’t know who else. Get ready to be congratulated a lot.” Jace walked off and left them standing in the kitchen.

“Guess we better get some rest. It sounds like we’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.” Carter led Ashley up the stairs.

“Rest.” She snorted. “Sure.”

Grinning as he opened the bedroom door, he admitted she was right. “We’ll rest at some point,” he whispered.