After we’ve finished cookies, we start on our favorite Christmas movies, only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. Being the closest, I get up to answer it to see North standing on the porch steps.
I try to close the door on him, but he stops me. He doesn't miss a beat as he picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder.
"I've got her!" he yells as he closes the door behind us and heads to his truck.
"Put me down! What the hell are you doing?" I yell, kicking my legs and trying to loosen his grip.
It doesn't work, and North plonks me in his truck and buckles me up. I cross my arms and pout because my dad and sister aren’t coming to help. He gets in, starts the engine, and heads to his place. Once we get there, I won't budge, so he unbuckles me and carries me inside.
He pauses to look at me. "Hear me out, and then if you want to leave, I'll take you home myself."
I glare at him for a long moment before finally nodding.
North releases a relieved breath. "When Vikki knocked on the door, I thought it was you. I washopingit was you. She pushed her way in like I did to you just now. It's why I was on the other side of the room when she dropped her robe. I didn't touch her. She wasn’t there more than ten seconds when you walked in.”
“My yelling woke up everybody, and Vikki tried to spin quite a tale, making it look like I was trying to ruin the wedding. I went off on her and Jake. I told them I wouldn't be at the wedding, and I was done being part of the family. I went to your house, and you weren't there. I went home pissed and texted your dad to make sure you were okay,” he explains, his words coming out in a rush.
“After texting you, I watched the video you sent me from the bachelorette party. In the background, you can see Vikki clearly cheating on Jake with some guy on the dance floor. I forwarded that video to my parents and Jake, and he’s called off the wedding. He truly loved her and thought she’d be different with him. She told him she was pregnant, and he wanted to do the right thing. Of course, it was a lie. I messaged your dad, admitted everything, and told him I would make it right. That's the only reason he didn't stop me when I came for you. My parents have been begging for forgiveness, but none of it matters because I don't have you. I need you. I love you."
I gape at him. With those three simple words, he’s stolen my breath.
Chapter 16
North
Candydoesn'tsayanything,so I continue talking.
"After the bachelor and bachelorette parties, I was going to ask you to be mine for real. No more games, no more fake relationship. This has been real for me from the beginning. What I feel for you is deep and strong. Stronger than anything I've ever felt. I love you, Candy."
I pull out the ring I've been carrying with me and drop to one knee. "I want to marry you, and I’ll spend the rest of my life being worthy of you."
I look up at Candy, seeing the shock in her beautiful eyes.
"When I was texting with your dad, I talked to him about this. I have his blessing. Now, will you marry me, Candy Cane? Will you be my wife? Will you be my reason for getting up every day?"
"Yes," she says softly as my words finally sink in.
She holds out a shaky hand, and I slide the ring onto her finger. I could’ve done this at her dad's house, but I knew if I was going to propose, I wanted it to be here on the ranch.
I spend the rest of the day making love to my fiancée in every room in the house. We’re up bright and early the next morning for Christmas Day and head over to her dad's.
When we walk into Bill’s house, there's a huge smile on her face. Her dad and sister welcome me with open arms. It's like I'm instantly part of the family. I even sneak a few presents under the tree for them.
"Can we open gifts now?" Parker squeals like a little kid.
"Let's get some coffee, and then yes," Bill says.
I lean back on the sofa with an arm around my girl and watch them open their gifts. They're full of smiles and tease each other while laughing over memories of Christmases past. I can't wait to have kids and a family like this.
Parker jumps up, grabs a present, and brings it over to me. "This one is from Dad and me," she says, bouncing back to her place on the sofa.
I stare at them in shock. I wasn't expecting gifts from them. Bill and Parker have the biggest smiles as I open my present to find a beautifully detailed leather belt. It takes a moment to realize that my ranch name is engraved on the leather.
"This is beautiful," I say as I trace over the letters on the belt. "Thank you so much." I stand and give them both a hug.
"Okay, my turn. Keep in mind you weren’t my fiancé when I bought this," Candy says, handing me another gift.
"Anything you get me would be perfect because you gave me you this year, and that's all I need," I tell her honestly.