by Stacy Finz
And the real silver lining was he’d just gotten engaged to the love of his life. “Better than okay, baby. This weekend, we do this right.” He held up her hand and gave her ring finger a squeeze. He’d book a room at the St. Francis and take her to the diamond district.
Before he could say more, Aubrey, Charlie, Wendy, and his aunt whisked her away for wedding talk.
Cash came over and rested his hand on Sawyer’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks and thanks for greasing whatever wheels necessary to set that call up with Angie. It meant the world to us, Cash. I only wish…” he trailed off. Cash had done all he could.
“Who knows”—the edges of Cash’s mouth kicked up—“maybe Angie will be able to make it to the wedding after all? Stranger things have happened.” Cash winked and sauntered away to talk to Jace.
Sawyer looked after him, wondering if that was wishful thinking or if Cash was actually trying to tell him something.
Son of a gun.
Sawyer broke into a wide grin.
“What are you smiling about?” Gina sidled up beside him.
“Just happy is all. What do you say we blow this gin joint and celebrate in private?”
“I’d say let’s do it.”
A rush of cold air hit them as they walked outside, hand in hand. The snowcapped mountains were shrouded in fog, making them look like magic clouds. The grass was green and wet and smelled like fresh-cut hay.
From the front yard he could hear the gurgle of the creek that divided the two ranches and wondered how long it would take before they started calling Beals Ranch Dry Creek Ranch.
Perhaps they never would and that was okay. A tradition upheld.
Next month, the cows would start calving and Gina’s restaurant would open in June.
Sawyer wrapped his arms around Gina and turned her so they could both behold the beauty of the land and their future together.
It was going to be a good year. A very good year.
