Chapter Twelve

Rascal grabbed a beer, keeping an eye on the people. They were having a Friday party, and it was the first one Meg was here for. He'd decided it was the perfect time to ask her to wear a property cut and to propose. His woman deserved both.

The last two weeks have been amazing. Sharing his heartache with Meg had helped. Instead of falling into a deep depression after thinking about them, he'd felt better. He still missed them and wished they weren't gone, but with Meg, he had someone holding his hand on the journey.

Regina and Meg had gotten closer, along with Mrs. Hall. Once Mrs. Hall and Meg had realized they had quilting in common, they'd started looking for a place they could set up a quilt and leave it for quilting get-togethers.

Meg had contacted the community college in Dodge City to see if they needed any adjunct professors for history classes. She had a meeting next week with the president to discuss options. She'd been clear though she'd be happy for something once in a while but had other plans to keep her busy.

Once his bonus daughters had updated her about their organization, Kathryn's Wings, Meg had been ready to help in any way. He loved that they considered Meg family and wanted her involved in the organization that they didn't share with everyone. Only some of the MC members knew about it.

He clocked Cannon studiously ignoring Jesse. He wished those two could fall in love. He'd watched the way they each watched the other when one wasn't looking. Now, it would definitely be explosive because they were like oil and water but heck, it had worked for War and Remi. He might need to stop by the garage and check on her. He wanted everyone as happy as he was.

Beth was over sitting at a table and the new deputy sheriff had joined her. Rascal wasn't sure what he thought about him. He was hired from out of state. Something about the man had Rascal uncomfortable but nothing he could pinpoint. The man was definitely making a play for the youngest Franks daughter. He wondered what Locks thought of that. Rascal had always thought Flick had a thing for her, but maybe he was mistaken.

War caught his eye, and he nodded. If he waited any longer to do this, his nerves would just grow. Everyone special to him was here, so it was now or never. He'd enlisted his grandkids to help.

He tossed his beer bottle in the recycling and headed toward the stage where the band was. He stepped up there near War, seeing Phoebe and David leading Meg closer to the stage.

"Listen up! Thanks for being here. Rascal has something he wants to share with us," War said with a smirk.

Rascal took the mic and held his hand out to Meg to join him on stage. Meg blushed as Phoebe and David led her up the stairs. When they got on stage, Phoebe pulled her closer to Rascal.

"Meg, I'd given up dreaming I'd find the woman to spend the rest of my life with until, on a warm summer day, you walked into my life. I will be forever grateful to my bonus daughters for inviting you to speak. You know I love you, but today, I want to ask you to be my ride or die for as long as we have. Will you wear my property cut and marry me?"

He waited, watching the emotions flit across her face: joy, excitement, and love. She stepped closer to him.

"Rascal, since I blurted out my troubles to a handsome man I couldn't stop looking at, you've shown me a man I want for the rest of my life. I will wear your cut with pride and will be your ride or die until our days together are over. I will marry you and love you because what are the odds you could find another woman named Meg to match your tattoo?"

Rascal chuckled as he handed the mic to War and accepted the cut from him. Rascal guided the cut on her shoulders, slid the ring on her finger, then bent her over his arm to kiss the daylights out of his woman. He knew however long they had together would be filled with laughter and love. He was grateful for her ass of a president for firing her.

He pulled his lips away to the yells and catcalls of his family. "Now, you're stuck with me," he whispered in her ear.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."