Finally Home (22 page)

But she was back in his arms soon after her feet touched the ground. With her arms wrapped around his neck, she smiled happily. “Anything you want, love!”

“
Ok, right now, I want the ring. Let’s do this proper,” he scooted her to the middle of the room, then took the ring from her and went down on one knee.

She gazed into his eyes, the eyes that had melted her heart for so many years...

“
Amanda, I wanna know how forever feels...and you’re the
only
one who’s ever made me want to feel that. I know I’ve been stubborn...a darn scoundrel, sometimes,” he grinned and slid the ring on her shaking finger. “But I love you so much. Please, make me the happiest cowboy on earth...and marry me.”

“
Yes, yes, yes!” she cried and tugged him to his feet. “I’ll marry you!”

“
Yahoo!” he lifted her off her feet and spun her around, then his mouth claimed hers with an excited passion.

After their lips parted with hesitation, they clung to each other for a few moments longer, basking in their cloud of happiness. Then, Noah shouted, “Abe, Kate, Maria!”

Almost immediately, the trio rushed into the parlor, clapping their hands.

“
We’re engaged!” Amanda waved the hand that showcased her new diamond ring.

“
It’s about time!” Grandma Kate kissed her granddaughter and then Noah.

“
The ring is so beautiful,” Maria grabbed Amanda’s hand and squeezed it, then she hugged the couple. “You two are like my kids, you know...I feel so happy for you!”

Grandpa Abe playfully punched Noah in the arm. “Take care of her, young man,” he then turned to kiss Amanda. “She’s the brightest star in my sky.”

Amanda wiped her eyes. “I don’t think Noah and I could have reached this point without any of you! Your love is so important to us.”

Grandma Kate smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Amanda girl, go spend some private time with your new fiancé, now. Then later, we’ll all celebrate your engagement along with Christmas!”

“
I have made my special holiday enchiladas with peppermint sauce for tonight’s feast,” Maria beamed and patted Grandma Kate’s arm.

“
Come on, you two hens,” Grandpa Abe made an ugly face at the mention of Maria’s enchiladas, then scooted the ladies from the room.

Amanda placed her hands on the back of Noah’s neck and drew him down until his lips met hers. “How about a nice romantic stroll before dinner?” she whispered against his mouth.

“
If you promise me one thing.”

Feathering kisses across his jaw, she brushed her lips over his. “What’s that?”

Reaching out, he cradled her glowing face in his strong hands. “Show me the ranch through
your
eyes.”

Circling her arms around him, she rested her head on his chest. Her heart, so full of love, was
finally
home.

~
EPILOGUE ~

Amanda clapped her hands and waved anxiously. “Noah, make sure he can’t fall off!”

“
Jacob’s fine,” Noah glanced at his wife, who was perched on the corral fence, carefully watching her two favorite guys.

Rolling the sleeves of her sweater to her elbows, she hopped off the fence and walked over to Noah, feeling her heartbeat quicken, even after five years of marriage. Smiling, she held her hand over her eyes to shade them from the bright autumn sun. “Stormy seems to be very gentle with him, at least.”

Leading the horse by its reins, Noah nodded and looked over his shoulder. “Yeah, he’s matured into a real tame one over the years.”

“
Faster, Daddy!” four-year old Jacob squealed, then rapidly patted his tiny hands on the horse’s back.

“
Sweetie, that’s fast enough,” Amanda stated firmly.

“
We’ll go around the corral one more time, cowboy,” Noah told him. “Then we need to go inside and get ready for your grandma.”

Amanda felt her cheeks blush with excitement as she thought of her mother, who would be arriving in a short while. She still couldn’t believe it after all these years. Donna Welch Brookfield was coming to Moonlight Ranch to see her first grandchild...and to live with her daughter and son-in-law. As expected, her fifth marriage, to Paul Chanteau, ended in divorce over a year ago.

“
Grammy is
here
!” Jacob shouted, pointing his finger and kicking his boots against Stormy’s stomach.

Whirling around, Amanda screeched. “She’s here early!”

“
My goodness,” Donna sighed, after slamming the door on her jaguar. “Look at that little man on the horse! Could that be my grandson, Jacob?”

“
Yes, yes, it’s me!” Jacob squirmed as Noah lifted him from the horse’s saddle. “Grammy, it’s me!”

“
But you don’t sound like the little boy I usually talk to on the phone...maybe I should go find him....”

Amanda giggled at her mother’s teasing nature...a trait she remembered well!

Jacob was off running as soon as Noah placed him on the ground. He crawled under the fence and headed toward his grandmother, laughing the whole way. When he jumped into her open arms, Amanda blinked away her tears.

“
Let’s go say hi to your mom,” Noah embraced his wife and kissed her cheek.

“
My stars,” Donna hugged Jacob to her chest. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“
Hi, Mom,” Amanda grinned, letting go of Noah’s hand. “You look gorgeous.”

Donna continued holding her grandson, but turned in a circle to show off her new outfit. “This was the last suit I purchased in Paris before leaving. Kind of a bon voyage gift to myself. You like it, Manda?”

Amanda went to her mother and wrapped her arms around her, sandwiching Jacob in the middle of them. “Purple always was your color.”

“
So that handsome man,” Donna whispered to her daughter and looked at Noah. “Is your husband?”

“
No, Grammy, that’s my Daddy!” Jacob wiggled in her arms.

Noah strolled toward them. “Ma’am, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“
Don’t be so formal,” Donna placed her cheek against Amanda’s and stretched an arm to Noah. “We’re family.”

Jacob hooked an arm around his Dad’s neck. “We’re a big family now!

“
Actually....” Amanda pulled away from the group hug, grabbed Noah’s hand, and cleared her throat. “We’ll be even bigger very soon.”

“
Are you saying....” Noah’s eyes widened in surprise.

“
Yes, honey,” Amanda stepped closer to him. “I’m pregnant.”

Noah tossed his cowboy hat in the air, then embraced her, lifted her off her feet, and spun her around. “Whoohoo!”

“
Another baby?
How wonderful!” Donna jumped up and down, then kissed Jacob’s nose. “Did you hear that? You’re going to have a new brother or sister!”

“
Yay!” Jacob raised his arms, then took off his red cowboy hat and threw it in the air, just like his father did.

“
Let’s go inside and celebrate,” Noah suggested and headed toward Donna’s silver jaguar. “I’ll get your luggage...Mom.”

Smiling, Donna winked at him. “Thanks, Noah.”

After they all entered the house, Donna took Jacob upstairs to his room so his excited parents could have some alone time.

Noah pulled Amanda onto the living room sofa and into his lap. His lips caressed her blonde curls and moved over her face until they stopped over her mouth. “You make me so happy, sweetheart.”

“
Then kiss me again,” she whispered. “We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us...and there’s much more happiness to come.”

~ The End ~