Roping the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch .5)

I gasp, and my eyes widen with shock. Those dang butterflies reappear when I think about how much I love his man and his surprises.

He smiles up at me, one of his infamous shit-eating grins, and I know without a doubt I want him to ask me those words. Because I already know my answer.

Chapter Twelve

Braxton

I chuckle when I see Kat’s eyes go as wide as saucers. Drinking in her delicate features, I smile, thinking how she looks as pretty as ever with almond flour on her face and jeans. Her hair’s up in a messy ponytail, but it doesn’t matter. This is my beautiful Kat, the love of my life.

This morning, she worked her ass off. I felt bad for placing that huge ass order in Mama Bishop’s name for this, but I needed to keep her busy and then get her here to deliver them without question. I’ve already arranged for Presley to take photos of the whole thing, and I love that this memory will be captured for us to remember for the rest of our lives.

“Hi,” I say, rubbing my thumb across her knuckles. She covers her mouth with her free hand. She’s totally shocked, and I love that I have the ability to do that to her.

“Braxton,” she whispers, tears swelling, threatening to fall.

“Sweetheart, I knew the moment we met, you were somethin’ special. All my life, I’ve been searching for someone like you to make me feel whole. Someone who was worth living my life with. Someone who truly made me happy. My heart knew you were the one the moment I laid eyes on you.”

The smile on her face is so damn sweet, and I want to pull her into my arms and kiss the fuck outta her.

“Though you were as stubborn as a mule,” I add, making her laugh, and she nods in agreement. “I’m so damn happy you gave me a chance, but when it comes to you, I’m a selfish man because I want more. Kat, I want to spend forever with you. I want to make you happy for the rest of our lives if you’d give me a chance. Will you marry me?”

I pull the ring from my pocket, and she sits on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me with everything she has, pouring every emotion into me.

“Yes, Braxton. Yes,” she whispers across my lips before sliding her tongue between my lips. We lose ourselves in the moment and forget we have an audience until Colton yells out, “Get a room!” We stand, and I slip the diamond ring on her finger, and she looks at it in awe before meeting my eyes.

“This is too much, Braxton.”

“It’s not enough for you, baby. Nothing is,” I whisper, pressing a kiss on her cheek.

Congratulations are in order, and champagne bottles are being popped open. Mama Bishop passes plastic cups around, and the bubbly liquid is given to everyone. I’m so damn happy that I can barely contain myself. Though we haven’t been together for long, I couldn’t wait any longer to pop the question. Kat is going to be my wife, and I’m going to spend the rest of my days making her happy and hopefully starting a family.

“I’d like to make a toast,” John announces. Mila stands close by him, smiling. “So happy you two are getting married! Happy for the both of you. Even though you practically already are, officially welcome to the family, Braxton.”

“Aww, thank you, guys,” Kat says, and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my side. Her parents come up to us and so does Gigi. Mila is over the moon happy for us along with everyone else who’s here. The love that surrounds me and Kat right now nearly leaves me speechless.

“Gigi,” Kat says, glaring at her grandmother who looks as guilty as sin. “You bought every single thing in the store so I’d have no choice but to lock up early.”

She shrugs and smiles. “You wouldn’t close up otherwise. It was Braxton’s idea.”

“And the cupcakes?” Kat looks over at me.

I give her a cheeky grin.

“You’re the worst.” Laughing, she narrows her eyes at me, but I know she can’t stay mad at me. “You play so damn dirty. I might just have to get you back for that one.”

“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” I warn with a smirk.

Before we can go back and forth, Jackson walks up with a cupcake in each hand. There’s icing all over his lips and face, and Kiera follows him, shaking her head.

“You need to get engaged more often. These cupcakes are the shit,” Jackson says around a large mouthful.

“He’s already eaten two,” Kiera says. “Congrats you two. Married life is something else.” She rolls her eyes and chuckles at Jackson who’s still a child in his thirties.