Epilogue
EPILOGUE
GAGE
G age parked his truck in front of Hadley's cabin. He'd spent many good hours here since Hadley's injury, but they'd both spent more time at the dining hall and stables. He'd needed healing just as much as she had, and he could finally look back and see how far they'd come. Together.
The ranch was a wash of brown and green. Winter was falling away and calling on a new season. He stepped up onto the porch and took a seat in the wooden rocking chair.
Land had always been important to the Howards, but his family hadn't worked their land like this. There was a difference in owning dirt and growing on it. No wonder Mr. Chambers liked spending half of his day on the back porch .
The phone in Gage's pocket dinged, and he pulled it out to read the message.
Dawson: Hurry up. I'm starving.
Gage huffed and slipped the phone back into his pocket. Dawson and everyone else would just have to wait. He had plans with Hadley, and she always came first.
Not first exactly. He had to remember that putting God first was better for her than putting her first in a way. At least that's what Mr. Chambers said, and the man hadn't been wrong about anything yet.
Hadley's car crested the hill, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. His heel tapped a quick rhythm on the wooden floor.
Easy. You've waited all day. You can wait another minute.
Actually, he'd been waiting on Hadley his entire life. He just hadn't realized it until recently.
He stood as she parked beside his truck. Two long strides off the porch led him to her side as she slipped out of the car. Her smile unfolded as she looked up at him, and every bit of his restraint flew out the window as he wrapped one arm around her waist and gently pulled her close, pressing his lips against hers.
She melted into his arms, sinking into the kiss the way she fell into the couch after a long day. Careful not to crush her bruised ribs, he held her up, tasting and drinking in every soft movement of her lips against his.
Reluctantly, he pulled away and asked, "How was your day?"
"Good. Busy, but better now. What about?—"
Gage swept her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he strode toward the cabin. "My day was great. I have surprises for you."
"What are you doing?" she asked as a joyful laugh rang in his ear.
"You've been a strong, independent woman all day. Now it's time to come home and let me take care of you."
Hadley rested her head on his shoulder as he stepped inside. "I'll allow it."
Gage lowered Hadley to the couch and tucked a pillow behind her head. "What do you want to drink?"
"Water, please. Oh, and I got you some Dr Pepper. It's in the refrigerator."
Gage shook his head as he headed for the kitchen. It amazed him every time he saw the evidence of her thoughtfulness. "Thanks, sunshine."
"What's my surprise?" she asked before he returned to the living room.
He grabbed Hadley's favorite cup–a blue tumbler with a big white cross on it–and filled it with water. "Patience, baby. "
Counting through his breaths to ease his racing heart, he walked slowly back to Hadley and knelt beside her as he handed her the water. "You want to hear the good news or the good news first?"
"Good news," she said, taking a big gulp of water.
"Mr. Benson offered me more hours. It's still part time so I can keep working at Beau's too."
"That's great!"
Hadley worked more than any woman he'd ever met, and her determination was one of the many things he loved about her. Even after a day of long hours, they still made time for each other.
"Yeah. He's trying to really get the ranch up and running, but he needs more hands."
Matthew hadn't necessarily said to keep the rest of his story a secret, but Gage wouldn't be sharing it anyway. He had more important things to talk about tonight.
He rested his arm on Hadley's hip as she lay on her side. "How's your mom?"
"She's great. I took her some flowers this morning."
It was cute how her mom called Hadley and Cheyenne her flowers. No wonder he'd thought of Hadley as his sunshine. She was all things colorful and bright.
He didn't mention his own visit to see her mom today. That was part of the next surprise. "That's good. "
"I know. She's really thriving here. I'm so glad we moved here last year."
"Me too. What would I do without you?"
It wasn't a thought he liked to dwell on. The man he was before knowing her didn't even exist anymore.
Hadley laughed and swatted his arm. "You wouldn't know me, so you'd be fine."
Gage's smile fell. He remembered that life without Hadley. It was dark and hopeless. "Trust me. I'd know something was missing."
A lot would be missing without her. He wouldn't know God, he wouldn't have friends, he wouldn't be free of his family and the hate.
Most importantly, he wouldn't know love–not really. He'd only scratched the surface of love before Hadley. Now, it was like he'd stepped into the light after a lifetime in the darkness.
He swallowed, trying not to let the overwhelming gratitude take over.
"Hadley," he whispered.
She tilted her head, and there was a little crinkle between her brows. "Are you okay?"
Great. He must look as worked up as he felt on the inside. He cleared his throat. "Hadley, will you marry me?"
Her eyes widened, and she gasped. "Gage–"
"I know it's too soon, but I know what I feel for you. I can't tell the future, but I know you're mine. Wherever you go, I want to be beside you. I'll be your biggest cheerleader, I'll lift you up when you're feeling down, and I would count it an honor to spend my life with you."
He would do all that and more, but telling her the extent of his devotion might scare her off more than a proposal.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled the ring out. The round diamond was encircled by smaller stones that the woman at the store had called a halo. He'd chosen it for Hadley the moment he saw it. The circle was bright and radiated like the sun.
The sun for his sunshine.
Gage held out his hand, and Hadley slowly lowered the hand covering her mouth. Poising the ring at the tip of her finger, he looked up at her.
"I was never supposed to be anyone. Now I'm the man I'm supposed to be. I have a purpose because of you. I want the world to know I belong to you. Will you marry me?"
Hadley sucked in a deep breath. "Yes! Yes! Gage, of course! I wanted to say yes at the beginning, but I'm glad I let you say all of that." She sat up and wiped a tear off her cheek. "I want to belong to you for the rest of my life. You've changed me for the better too, and I will choose you over and over for the rest of my life."
The pressure in Gage's chest pushed against the walls. Never in his life had he felt happiness so strong that it begged to be released.
Hadley stood to her feet, pulling him up by his hand. The second she could reach him, her arms were around his neck, squeezing what was left of the air from his throat.
"Yes, yes, yes. I love you. I'll love you forever," she whispered amidst soft sobs.
Gage rubbed soft circles on her back as his heartbeat started to calm. "I love you too. Always."
He held onto her, strong and steady as her tears quieted. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just so stinkin' happy," she mumbled against his shoulder.
"Um, is it time for the next surprise?" Gage asked.
She jerked back. "There's more?"
"All of our friends and family are waiting to celebrate at the dining hall."
Well, not all of their family. What was left of his family was here, and he wouldn't miss the rest. They'd almost ripped Hadley and all happiness away from him, and his life was better without them.
What he lacked in family he made up for in friends these days. Dawson said half the town was planning to come tonight.
Hadley bounced on her toes and smiled from ear to ear. "Are you serious? Let's go!"
She started to rush toward the door, but he drew her back in. "Hold up. I'm not finished with you." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her nose, and finally her lips. He lingered and took his time, kissing her like they had the rest of their lives.
And they did. He had the rest of his life to spend with Hadley, and he looked forward to loving her more every day.