Love had been born that day—and he didn’t begrudge his brother his good fortune one bit because there was too much love in his own heart. Daniel felt ready to burst with it.

It was time to let Beth know. To make sure she felt the same way about him. For them to be a family as well. Maybe not one by blood and birth, but one by choice. A choice that was as real as the babies resting in their arms.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“You got everything under control?” Daniel tapped Matt on the shoulder as he placed the steak platter beside him.

Matt shrugged. “It’s not rocket science. I have done this before, you know.”

His brother turned his back on the noise and celebrating coming from the yard, suddenly intent on scrubbing the racks of the barbecue to shiny clean. Daniel sighed then headed back to the house for the rest of the utensils.

Since Helen had taken off, Matt had been—well, not moping, but not the enthusiastic man Daniel was used to seeing. He’d tried digging to find out what exactly had happened, but Joel and Matt both refused to say anything except Helen was gone for good.

He didn’t need more details than the hurt he saw in Matt’s eyes. Helen would find a damn cold reception if she ever showed her face around Rocky again.

In the meantime, there were plenty of other things to distract him. Joel and Jesse were back from another semester of school, living in the basement rooms at his mom and dad’s. He and Matt had moved out. The Six Pack Ranch had invested in a couple of trailers to use for extra living quarters—it was one thing to have the room available in the big house but Matt had insisted, and Daniel had to agree, they were too old to be under their ma and dad’s roof anymore. And since none of them were rushing to push Beth and the boys out…

He swung to admire them. The kids ran in circles, screaming in wild delight as Jesse chased them with a super-powered water pistol. Joel filled water balloons to provide retaliation ammunition, and everywhere there was laughter and smiles. Blake carried one of the baby girls in a sling on his chest. Jaxi wore the other as the two of them sat and chatted quietly with the folks and Beth, all of them waiting for the meat to be done. Everywhere he looked he saw family.

Even Travis had made himself available for the annual family May Victoria Day picnic, although he looked a touch uncomfortable with the sudden increase in small people attending the party.

He snuck up to Daniel’s side. “I got your rides ready for you, if you’re still determined to do this.”

Daniel smacked him on the shoulder. “Idiot.”

Travis grinned. “Hey. Serious? I’m happy for you.”

They stood for a minute, Daniel looking his younger brother over. “I’ve been pretty lucky, haven’t I?”

“Like you’ve got horseshoes up your ass.”

A laugh burst out. “There you go. Now you just need to get yourself kicked and you too can be so fortunate.”

Travis shook his head. “No rush. I’m happy getting things settled around here with you taking over the shop. I certainly don’t need any rug rats tying me up or tying me down.”

“Your loss. But first I have to get her to actually agree to anything.”

“You don’t move very fast, do you?”

Daniel gave him the finger. They finished getting everything together for the meal, bringing out the food from the kitchen, hauling out drinks. Chaos of the best sort reigned for the next hour as dinner passed, the outdoor seating filled with squirming boys and family.

He snuck away as soon as he spotted dessert being served. He’d arranged for Beth to join him while the kids were distracted. It was a damn good thing Travis had already saddled their horses—it was scary how much his hands shook. Daniel patted Thunder and Ruffles, and considered his options again, coming to the same conclusion. Even if he felt like a total chickenshit, it was time.

He led the horses outside, tying the reins to the railing, ready to fetch Beth from the festivities. When he turned, she was already halfway down the path, a straw hat in her hand and pretty new boots on her feet.

“Damn, maybe you want to be a cowgirl instead of a teacher. You look mighty fine.”

“You sweet talker.” She kissed him so thoroughly he had to adjust himself before leading her around the gate.

“You’ve made this ride far more painful than it should be.”

“Me? Little innocent me?” Beth batted her lashes.

“Innocent. Bah.” He paused. “You sure you’re good riding?”

She nodded. “I’ve been doing my exercises, and I have been out with Marion a few times. As long as we’re not doing anything fancy, my leg can take it.”

He helped her mount before swinging himself up and leading them into the field. They followed the course of the creek to where it joined the river, the waters high with spring runoff. Laughter surrounded them as she told him the latest stories about her students, the final exam nerves hitting hard as the school year wound down. Their ride was easy and peaceful, and felt oh-so-right to be together.

“You happy to be teaching again next year?”

“Very. I like the school, and the kids on the whole were great. I think a couple more years will work fine. I don’t know that I want to be teaching when Lance hits my grade, but there’s enough time to worry about that later.”

Daniel grinned. “Lance. Headstrong doesn’t even begin to describe him.”

“You should talk.” Beth’s shining face made his heart sing. Yes, it was time. He leaned over and took hold of her reins, slowing Ruffles to a standstill. “Daniel, if you’ve got something funny planned for us while I’m sitting on a horse, I’m afraid I’m not that kinky.”

“Well, shoot.” He brushed his lips against hers, then led Ruffles and Thunder to the side. “Here I was thinking a little rodeo clown handstand routine would be one of our next experiments.”

He dismounted and tethered their mounts before reaching to grab her. The horses lowered their heads, pulling new grass happily as Beth crawled off. He slipped an arm under her legs, ignoring her cry of surprise as he carried her toward the tree overlooking the river.

“You’re not thinking of—?”

“Nothing unusual. Just relax.” He could have let her walk, but he wanted to hold her.

She softened in his grasp, nuzzling his neck. “I haven’t been out this direction before. Your mom took me to the east, and the north.”

“The river is one of the favourite viewpoints for the entire family. But I asked her to let me have this privilege. To show you myself.”

A small crease appeared between her brows. “Now you’ve gone all mysterious on me.”

Daniel slowed. “You’ll understand soon enough.”

He let her down. He held his breath as she stepped forward, turning slowly to take in the panorama.

“Daniel, this is beautiful. The view—the river is amazing…”

She glanced at him then walked away, headed for the base of the huge cottonwood. There was a bench tucked up to the trunk, the solid legs, the smooth arms of the sturdy construction protected by layers of marine varnish to keep it sound in spite of being out under the elements. Beth smiled over her shoulder, stroking the wood with a flowing touch, approval in her motions.

“You made this, didn’t you?” she asked, turning back to admire it further.

He knew the second she spotted the plaque. The tightness in her body wasn’t fear, wasn’t her about to run, but he wondered if he’d pushed too hard.

Beth turned to face him, her eyes filled with moisture, lips quivering as they drew into a smile that fought to win over her tears. “Oh, Daniel.”

He came to her side and sat them on the bench. She traced the words with a fingertip. Baby Laurie. Held in our hearts forever.

“I wanted you to have something to remember her by. I wanted you to have a place to know that all the good things in your past are not forgotten.”

She lowered her head to her hands and sobbed. His eyes grew watery as he curled an arm around her shoulders and held her. A breeze floated up from the water, the fresh scent of green growing things mixed with the richness of the earth and the wild flowers in bloom. Everything around them was alive and bursting with the promise of coming summer.

When her crying slowed, he reached into his pocket and brought out the wad of tissue he’d placed there, anticipating it might be needed.

She drew a shaky breath. “Thank you.”

Daniel gave her time to wipe and dry, brushing away his own tears as he settled back farther on the bench.

She snuggled against his side, laying her head on his shoulder. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Really, I can’t.”

“Don’t have to say anything. I understand.”

They looked over the river, leaves and small twigs floating past, escaping from view around the corner. Beth sighed, a content and peaceful sound. Daniel felt a smile come to his face.

“Daniel?”

“Hmm?”

She didn’t move, just clung to his arm as they stared into the sunshine. “Will you marry me?”

Daniel jerked, dislodging her from his shoulder. “What?”

She turned to face him fully. “I know, it’s unusual, but I figured I started this relationship way back when, but when we slowed down last December…”

Her voice trailed off, her smile getting bigger by the minute.

“Say it again.” Daniel cupped her chin in hand, letting the joy inside him bubble up. “I want to hear it again.”

Beth sparkled. There was no other word for it. “I love you, Daniel Coleman. Every bit of you, from that long hard body that makes me shake with pleasure to the tender things you say and do. I want you to be my husband. To share my life with me. To be far, far more than just a good time.”