Carter bent down on one knee and took a red paisley neckerchief out of his pocket. He unfolded it carefully and presented her with a diamond ring. “There’s only one place this ring belongs,” he said reverently. “And that’s on your finger.”

Stunned, Macy’s hand came to her mouth. She stared at the sparkling diamond, eyeing the ring that had bound her parents’ love. Then finally, she managed to whisper through thick emotion, “The Tarlington diamond? I never thought I’d see it again. How did you…?”

“It just came into my possession, sweetheart. I’ll explain later,” he said tenderly. Then he took her hand in his, holding it steady, while the rest of her body trembled in anticipation. “Macy Tarlington,” he began, “I’m promising to love you and keep you safe and happy for the rest of our lives. I’m promising you this from the bottom of my heart. And I’m asking you to become my wife and have my children. Come live with me at Wild River. Come home.”

Macy didn’t hesitate. Wild River was her home. She loved Carter with everything she had inside and she belonged by his side. “Yes, Carter, I’ll be your wife.” She didn’t know how he’d done it, but the proposal and the ring together went beyond her most cherished dreams. Her voice softened to a hush. “I love you so much, Carter McCay.”

He slid the ring on her finger and happy tears spilled down her cheeks. “It fits.”

Carter laughed along with her and then finally brought his mouth down to claim her in a bone-melting kiss that knocked her knees out from under her. Carter was there instantly, protecting her from the fall. He lifted her and carried her out of the kitchen. “Show me your bedroom, darlin’. I’ve missed you something fierce.”

Macy grinned, touched a loving hand to her cowboy’s cheek and pointed the way.

Afterward, once the sun had set and they lay facing each other, sated and cocooned in the cozy embrace of their love, Carter told her about their mysterious benefactor, Bill Fargo. His explanation left more questions than answers, but Carter said he was grateful to Fargo, or whatever his name was, because the old guy managed to break through his stubborn pride and make him see the love he had for Macy.

“Thanks to Bill,” Macy said softly, “I’m getting a wonderful husband.”

Carter kissed her cheek. “And I’m getting a multitalented, beautiful Hollywood starlet, uh, serious actress for a wife.” He winked. “There aren’t too many Texans who could make that claim.”

Macy thought she was definitely getting the better end of the deal, but she’d never admit that to her Stetson-wearing gorgeous hunk of a cowboy.

She wasn’t that stupid.

Just incredibly lucky.

CHARLENE SANDS

Award-winning author Charlene Sands writes bold, passionate, heart-stopping heroes and always…really good men! She’s a lover of all things romantic, having married her high school sweetheart, Don. She is the proud recipient of a Readers’ Choice Award and double recipient of a Booksellers’ Best Award, having written twenty-eight romances to date, both contemporary and historical Western. Charlene is a member of Romance Writers of America and belongs to the Orange County and Los Angeles chapters of RWA, where she volunteers as the Published Authors’ Liaison.