“I can’t believe this,” she murmured, wondering if somehow she had fallen asleep back at the condo and maybe this was all just a very real, very involved dream.
“Believe it,” he said, bending low enough to kiss her forehead before drawing back to look at her again. “Remember what J.D. said? Family is important and love is all that matters?”
“I remember.” His eyes were shining down on her. The shutters were gone. They were clear and beautiful and glittering with emotions so deep they stole her breath.
“Well, you’re my family. And my love for you is everything.” He pulled her in close to him, lifted both hands and cupped her face between his palms. “I’m asking you to marry me, Colleen. Marry me and make a family of our own. Kids. Dogs. Horses. We’ll have it all if you’ll just say yes.”
She wanted to. More than anything in her life, she wanted what he was offering. But she had to say, “I still want to get my practitioner’s license. I want to have that rural practice I told you about.”
He grinned and her heart nearly leaped up her throat. Would he always have this effect on her? God, she hoped so.
“Not a problem, honey,” he said. “When you have calls to make, I’ll watch the kids.”
“Kids,” she repeated, because she loved the sound of it.
“At least five or six.”
She laughed then and felt her whole world come right again.
“So, will you marry me, Colleen?” He kissed the tip of her nose, then brushed her mouth with his. “Trust me, love. I’ve learned enough to listen. To know that though I could make it through my life alone, I don’t want to. I want you—I need you—by my side. Always.”
“There’s really nowhere else I’d rather be,” she said as she leaned into him. Her heart was full, and she had everything she’d ever dreamed of, right there offering her his heart. His life. His love. “Sage, I love you so much, of course I’ll marry you.”
“Thank God,” he whispered and kissed her there in the room where they had first begun. Where they would come when they wanted to remember. When they wanted to celebrate the fact that love really was the only thing that mattered.
Epilogue
The wedding was two weeks later.
Colleen was amazed at just how quickly everything could come together. But Sage hadn’t wanted to wait, and really, neither had she. Why wait when you had at last found the one person in the world for you?
Sage’s ranch was decorated with flowers everywhere. He’d arranged for both a florist and a gardener to come in and turn the yard into a rainbow of color. There was also a hastily constructed dance floor on the wide front yard, lit by miles of tiny white twinkling lights that in the dusk looked like stars being born. Music from a local country band had the dance floor crowded and the scent of barbecue tempted everyone there.
It had been perfect, Colleen thought. Even the weather had cooperated, blessing the ceremony with a cool, clear day and a starry night.
She’d been on her feet for hours now, but she wasn’t the least bit tired. Joy filled her, keeping a smile on her face and a thrill in her heart. She took a sip of champagne and looked out across the ranch at the people who had come to celebrate with them. It had been a small ceremony, only friends and family, and somehow that had made the whole thing more special.
Marlene was dancing with Walter Drake, the older woman laughing at something he said. Angie and Evan looked to be involved in a heated discussion, and Colleen frowned slightly. She could only hope that the situation would be cleared up soon, before it destroyed what the couple shared. Dylan was supervising the barbecue station and Chance was talking to Sage’s ranch manager. Jenna and her husband were dancing and Colleen’s mother and Aunt Donna were huddled at a table, no doubt planning their upcoming cruise.
“You’re looking way too thoughtful for a bride,” Sage said, coming up behind her. “And did I tell you how beautiful you are?”
She felt beautiful in her floor-length, off-the-shoulder white dress that skimmed her curves and swirled at her feet. But then, Sage was handsome in a black suit that was so elegantly cut he took her breath away.
“You did,” she assured him, “but feel free to repeat yourself.”
He chuckled, slid his arms around her middle and held her close to him. Colleen laid her hands on his arms and leaned her head back against his broad chest. “It’s just such a perfect day.”