Forever Family (River's End Ranch Book 26) Read online

  He shook his head. “No. I traded weeks with Wade. He said something about needing to be off next week. I don’t remember why.”

  “You really should pay better attention when the kids talk to you.”

  “I pay good enough attention. Wade never knew I was daydreaming about how beautiful my wife was while I was talking to him.”

  Bobbi shook her head. “Are you trying to get yourself out of trouble?”

  “I don’t know. Is it working?”

  She laughed. “I’ve missed just hanging out with you. We’ve always seemed to have to be somewhere and doing something lately. Just spending time together has been at the bottom of our list.”

  He stopped walking and turned to her. “I’m so sorry I’ve made you feel that way. Since the day I met you, you were the most important thing in my life. That hasn’t changed.”

  “For me either.” She stepped closer to him and hugged him, losing herself in his embrace. It sounded like his feelings hadn’t changed at all…just how he demonstrated them. That should be good enough for her.

  That night, after Wilber was asleep, she lay in bed thinking back to his proposal. She’d been on the ranch for just under a month when she’d realized she was ready. Bobbi sat with Wilber eating lunch in the diner on Saturday, and as they held hands, she leaned forward. “I think I’m ready for that question you’ve been wanting to ask me.”

  Wilber’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. She was still enjoying their relationship, but things were getting more heated between them, and because she didn’t believe they should go any further than kissing until they married, she knew it was time that they move to the next step. “I’m sure.”

  “May I come and get you after the diner closes, then?”

  She nodded, her heart in her throat. He was going to ask her that night. He’d had a few weeks to plan how he’d ask, so she was excited to see what he did. “Should I change first?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I love you just the way you are.”

  She grinned. “I’ll remind you that you said that when I’m old and gray.”

  “You won’t have to. I’ll never forget.”

  He was there with his pickup truck when the diner closed that afternoon. Leaning down to kiss Kelsey’s cheek, she said, “I’m going to spend the evening with Wilber. Don’t hold dinner for me.”

  Kelsey smiled. “Have a nice time.”

  She hurried out to the truck and slid into the passenger side, wishing he could kiss her, but knowing his mother was watching. He drove out of the parking lot and off the ranch, surprising her. “I figured you’d ask me here at the ranch.”

  “You gave me lots of time to plan the perfect proposal. Now you’re going to get it.” He drove down the highway, and up into the mountains.

  On the other side of the mountain from the little valley where the ranch was, she saw a huge lake. “Oh, that lake is beautiful!”

  He kept driving, surprising her. “Where exactly are you taking me?” she finally asked.

  “Not telling.”

  She pouted, leaning back in her seat, but still he drove on. He finally stopped on the side of the highway, putting his truck into park. “Will you go for a walk with me, Bobbi?”

  She nodded, unsure of what was so special about this place, but she slipped out of her side of the truck. He plucked a picnic basket from the bed of the truck, and took her hand in his.

  He walked down a steep bank, and she saw a creek cutting through the land, which was covered with wildflowers. There were more than she’d ever seen, there for the picking. “Oh, this place is beautiful!”

  He nodded. “I scoped it out last week, hoping you were getting close to being ready.” He led her down to a quiet area beside the creek and spread the picnic blanket he’d tucked under one arm out.

  He carefully set out the food he’d brought, which looked like a small feast to her. There was fried chicken, potato salad, and root beer. And at the bottom of the basket, she saw a couple of brownies. It was the same thing he’d packed for their first picnic. “Everything looks delicious.”

  “It will be. I promise.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly. “I made sure everything was perfect for tonight.”

  “I can’t imagine it being better than this,” she told him. As they ate, he talked about what he wanted from the future. Plans for the ranch and plans for a family together.

  When they’d finished eating all but the brownies, he took her hand in his. “The day you walked onto the ranch, my entire world changed. Never have I loved something or someone more than I loved the ranch I was raised on. Until you. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were meant for me. I knew you were the woman I was supposed to grow old with, to love forever. There’s nothing in this world that would make me as happy as you agreeing to be my wife.” He moved until he was kneeling in front of her. “Bobbi, would you do me the great honor of being the mother of my children and the woman who sleeps beside me every night?”

  Bobbi swiped at the tears streaming down her face. “I would be delighted.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Oh no!”

  “What?” What could possibly be wrong with him at that moment?

  “I did it wrong. I forgot to have the ring in my hand.”

  She laughed softly. “No, Wilber. You did it just right. The ring doesn’t matter. It’s the man who’s proposing that I want to spend my life with. Not an engagement ring.”

  “Well, I still have to give it to you.” He pulled away from her and dug into his pocket, pulling out the ring he’d purchased shortly after she’d arrived. He opened the box and held it out for her to see. “May I put it on your finger?”

  Bobbi stared at the ring in surprise. “I expected a diamond.”

  He smiled. “It is a diamond. It’s a pink diamond. It seemed to suit you better than a clear one.”

  “I love it. It really does suit me.”

  He slipped it onto her finger, and then brought her hand to his lips. “This ring is a symbol of my love for you. I hope you’ll wear it for the rest of your life.”

  “I can’t imagine ever taking it off. I love you so much, Wilber!”

  He kissed her, his hands going to her back and stroking her. “When?”

  “When what?”

  “When are you going to marry me? Have you spent your whole life dreaming about a big wedding? Or can we run away to marry tomorrow. There’s no waiting period in Idaho…”

  She laughed. “I suppose tomorrow works for me. Will your mother be hugely disappointed if we don’t have a big wedding?” She couldn’t imagine making him wait for the wedding. He’d already had to wait before she’d let him propose.

  “No, she won’t mind at all.” He stood up, and pulled her to her feet, holding her close. “I can’t believe I’m going to wake up and see your face on the pillow beside mine for the rest of my life.”

  “You don’t snore, do you?” she asked, her brow wrinkled.

  He shrugged. “No idea. Maybe? Would you hate it if I did?”

  “If it’s part of you, how could I hate it?”

  “I like that answer.” He kissed her softly. “And after our kids are grown and running the ranch themselves, we need to take off in an RV and see the country. There are so many states I’ve never seen. So many things I’ve never done. Promise me we’ll do those things together.”

  “I promise!”

  Wilber let out a loud snore, bringing Bobbi back from her memories. She’d meant what she said all that time ago…but lately, she’d been different. It hadn’t been him that had changed. It had been her. Her dreams had changed, but his had stayed steadfast, which was a good word to describe her Wilber.

  She propped her head up on her fist and watched her husband sleep. He made her smile. He made her so happy. She couldn’t begin to imagine life without him. As soon as he woke up, she was going to tell him that she’d been w
rong. She would travel with him just as much as he wanted. And they would have their vow renewal right there on the ranch as they’d been planning.

  She grinned as she thought of the way Dani had gotten angry with her and stood up to her about the lavender Chinese lanterns. Of course, they hadn’t been for Dani. She knew her daughter better than that. Bobbi, however, loved the color lavender, and she couldn’t wait to have the lanterns decorating the area around the gazebo where she planned to dance until dawn with the man she loved. The man she’d always love.

  Wilber stirred, to find Bobbi watching him sleep. He turned toward her with a smile. “What?”

  “I was just thinking about how much I love you, and about the promises we made each other when I agreed to marry you. I said that I’d travel the country in an RV with you, and that’s what I’ll do. Seeing the grandbabies on holidays and during visits here will just have to be enough for me.”

  He shook his head. “No, it won’t. I have a better idea.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “If it means me seeing the grandbabies more, I’m all for it.”

  “Why don’t we spend every other month here, and every other month on the road. You can see your grandbabies grow up, and we can both see the country as we’ve always wanted to do.”

  “But that’s not what you want!”

  “Of course it’s what I want! I love those grandbabies too, but more importantly, I love you. This is a way we can both be happy.”

  She squealed, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his face all over. “I love that idea! Are you sure it’s okay with you?”

  “I’m positive. Now can we get back to planning our vow renewal? Maybe it’s time to tell the kids what all the improvements have been for? Partially to test them, of course, but mostly so we could have our vow renewal right here on the ranch. You haven’t canceled anything, have you?”

  Bobbi shook her head. “Of course not. I wouldn’t have without discussing it with you first.”

  “Good. Then on Sunday, we’ll tell them about your father wanting to get to know them and about our vow renewal. Bad news with good news? Though I’m not quite sure your father wanting to meet them is bad news.”

  “I’m really not sure either. I think it’s up to them to make of it what they want. I’ve decided that even if the kids don’t want to see him, I do. I want to talk to him. It’s been so long, and he’s never been anything but kind to me. I have to stop hating him for what happened all those years ago. He’s done his time. It’s time for me to learn to forgive.”

  Wilber stroked her cheek. “Are you sure? No one is going to fault you if you can’t forgive him. It’s a pretty big thing to forgive someone for.”

  “I’m sure. I’ve been thinking about it constantly since I got his letter. That and us. We decided long ago that we were meant to be together. Or the fairies did, anyway.”

  He laughed. “I don’t believe in the fairies any more than you do, but if they make Jaclyn happy, who am I to complain? She’s been so kind to us and to our children. I’m sure she’ll someday be matching our grandchildren.”

  “Do you think so? She’s not immortal, you know.”

  “I’m not so sure! She and Mom were the same age, but Mom always looked older. I think the fairies have given her the gift of everlasting life.”

  “I think you’ve lost your mind!”

  “I lost my mind over you a very long time ago. I hope I never find it again.” He pulled her closer, wrapping both arms around her and holding her against him. He was keeping her. Nothing was going to come between them again.

  Chapter Nine

  Bobbi woke up early the following morning and reached over for Wilber’s arm, but he wasn’t there. She sat up in bed, frowning. He hadn’t told her he needed to be somewhere early.

  She got up and wandered through the small cabin, calling his name. Finally, on the coffee table, she found a note.

  My love,

  Meet me in front of the cabin as soon as you’re dressed and showered. No peeking until you’re ready. Dress casually.

  All my love,

  Wilber

  She frowned and walked to the window. He knew she wouldn’t be able to resist one peek. He wouldn’t even be surprised. With as long as they’d been married, it was like he could read her mind.

  She lifted the curtain out of the way, surprised to find a piece of cardboard taped over the window. “I said no peeking!” was written on the cardboard.

  Bobbi laughed, shaking her head as she walked back toward the bathroom. Obviously, he’d done everything he could to keep her from looking. She hurried into the bathroom and showered and dressed. She wished she could force herself to take her time, but she was much too excited to see what he was up to.

  She put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before running a brush through her hair. She’d never been one of those women who took hours fussing as they stared at themselves in the bathroom mirror.

  Twenty minutes after opening her eyes, she was ready. She hoped Wilber had thought to get them something to eat.

  She stepped out the front door to see her husband leaning back against a four-wheeler. There were two there in front of the cabin, ready for them to use. “Did you think about breakfast?” she asked.

  “We’re going to head to the diner to pick up our lunch, so we’ll go ahead and have breakfast while we’re there. If it was kolache day, I’d have a bag in my hand waiting for you to devour.”

  She grinned at him. “Well, I’m happy to have breakfast with the man I love. Are we walking over or four-wheeling?”

  “Oh, four-wheeling. I know the exact kind of chariot my queen desires.”

  She laughed, sitting down on the one with her helmet. “Did you walk over to get one and then walk over to get the other?”

  “Oh, no! I reminded Wyatt about the arthritis in my hip, and casually mentioned that I walked the floor with him and changed his diapers. He wrinkled his nose, but he knows he’s about to start that nonsense, so he was willing to drive one over and walk back himself.”

  “Oh, good job playing the parent-with-arthritis card! I’m impressed at the way you think!”

  He shrugged. “I learned from the best!”

  She laughed, taking the lead as they drove across the ranch, stopping in front of the diner. “Looks like we missed the breakfast rush. Good. Maybe it won’t be too crowded.”

  He stopped his four-wheeler and removed his helmet, hanging it off the handlebars. Taking Bobbi’s hand in his, he led her to the restaurant and opened the door for her. As soon as they were seated, Kelsi brought menus over. “Breakfast special is eggs in a hole with your choice of bacon, sausage, or corned beef hash.”

  “Sounds good. Eggs over medium. Hash.” Bobbi looked at her daughter, whose eyes were looking a bit bloodshot. “You okay?”

  Kelsi nodded. “Willow was fussy all night, so I was up with her.”

  “You need an assistant manager.” Bobbi knew all new parents went through periods of no sleep, but she wished her daughter had the ability to stay home from work when it happened.

  “I have Joni. She’s going to close this afternoon, so I can go home at two instead of four.”

  “Good! I’m so glad you have someone you trust.”

  Kelsi looked at Wilber. “What are you having, Dad?”

  “Huckleberry pancakes with a double side of bacon and a cup of coffee.”

  “I want orange juice,” Bobbi added.

  “All right. I’ll get Bob to start on these and get your drinks out to you.” Kelsi walked away, her usual zip missing from her steps.

  “If she wasn’t nursing, I could take the babies overnight. But neither of them will take a bottle.” Bobbi frowned at her husband. “How am I supposed to help her if she’s trained them not to take a bottle?”

  “Obviously she’s done that, because she’d rather feed them herself. Just let her handle things. I’m sure Shane helps as much as he can.”

  “He’s a good husband to her.” Bobbi
shrugged. “I just feel like I should still be taking care of my babies.” She looked down at their joined hands on the table for a minute. “I think that’s a lot of the reason I married you. I needed a family I could be part of forever, and I knew you’d give that to me. You and your parents, and any kids we had. And then we got Jess as a bonus.”

  “I know. I knew it at the time. You loved me, but you loved me partially because I could provide you with that forever family.”

  After they’d eaten, they headed for the door, and Jess was waiting on one of the four-wheelers, something held in her arms. “I brought you a present, Aunt Bobbi. Uncle Wilber said you needed it more than you realized.”

  Bobbi frowned and looked at her niece, just then realizing what she was holding. “A puppy!”

  Jess nodded. “It’s a little boy. He was abandoned, and someone brought him to us.”

  Bobbi took the small animal and cuddled him against her, loving the feel of his fur against her chin. She had tears in her eyes. “This is exactly what I needed. How did you know?”

  Wilber grinned, shrugging. “When you mentioned Don Juan the other day, you had such a wistful look on your face. I knew you needed a new puppy to love.”

  “I do! I really do!” She held the puppy out so she could look at him, noting that he was almost entirely white. “I’m going to call him Galahad. It makes him the perfect successor to Don Juan.”

  Jess hurried forward and kissed her aunt’s cheek. “I’m going to take him to spend the day with me at the clinic. I know you two have other plans, but I wanted you to see that he was yours.”

  Bobbi walked over to Wilber and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. She’d never been demonstrative in public, but she didn’t care about her stupid rules at the moment, and it didn’t matter how many guests saw them. Her husband deserved something for the special gift.

  Wilber held her close for a moment. “You ready?”

  “Sure. Do you have lunches?”

  He nodded, patting the seat of his four-wheeler, and she knew that he’d put their boxed lunches in the compartment under the seat. “Let’s be off then.”