by Natalie Dean
“So, what did you—” he started to ask.
“I love you.”
Oh wow, she just went right out there and said it, didn’t she? But since the dam was broken, everything else came pouring out. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone else. You make me feel safe. You make me feel like I can do anything.
“And it’s not just about how you make me feel. I want to talk to you, all the time. I want to find out about how your day is going. I want you to be happy and content. I want you to succeed and maybe fight with your father less often, and even though I don’t see that happening, I support you.”
“I…” He paused and seemed to take a deep breath, then smiled. “You chose a diner to do this?”
She barked out a surprised laugh. “Okay, maybe I didn’t think about that. I dunno. It’s a bit fitting though, isn’t it?”
He nodded, his hands reaching forward to grip hers. “I love you too, Francesca Lopez. I’ve loved you since you first sat across this booth from me, I think.”
“Oh…” She couldn’t describe what that did for her. How that made her feel. “That’s very good to hear.”
“It is, isn’t it?” he said with a grin. “So, do you want to get out of here, or are you hungry enough for a meal?”
“Well, I’d really like you to kiss me right now, but I’m never one to turn down a free meal.”
“Fair enough. I think we can do both though.”
He got up and slid in beside her, turning to her to place a soft and tender kiss on her lips. As usual, it stole her breath away, and he was the one who had to break it off.
His arm went behind her head, supporting her and curling her to his strong side. She melted into him, knowing that she could trust him. Knowing that he would be there for her no matter what.
“You know, I’ve been struggling with something myself,” he said, voice soft and low, floating through the little cloud they were in.
“Oh?” Frenchie asked, leaning her head against his shoulder. She felt so at peace that she couldn’t help but be nervous that whatever he might say could pop the bubble, but she more than owed it to him to hear him out.
“Yeah. You know how when you try to do something perfectly, and you work it up into this big thing in your head and nothing is ever quite good enough?” Solomon said as Frenchie nodded. She knew that feeling all too well. “I guess I’ve been doing that myself.”
“What with? Something with the business?”
He shook his head and then he was shifting, pulling something out of his back pocket. Before Frenchie could quite process it, he was sliding a small, blue box over to her.
“It’s not an engagement ring,” he said quickly. “I remember you saying you needed to date someone at least a year or two before you were ready for that.”
“Then what is it?” her chest felt tight and her cheeks were flushing. Sure, he liked to shower her with gifts all the time, but something about the moment felt different.
“Open it.”
Taking a deep breath, she did so, revealing a beautiful but understated ring of bright silver. There were no gems in it, but instead delicate engravings of vines and leaves. Definitely not an engagement ring, but not just any old ring either.
“I…”
“It’s a promise ring.” He held up his own hand, where a thicker and broader band already sat on one of his fingers. “You don’t have to take it if you’re not ready, but I wanted a physical sign that I believe in our future together. That if I’m going to end up with anyone in this world, it’s going to be you, and only you.”
Frenchie looked from him, and back to the ring. He was just so good. He listened. He understood her need to wait and be cautious. He also understood that there was always that fear in the back of her mind that he would grow tired of her. That she was temporary.
She was just so in love.
“Thank you!” she cried, throwing her arms around him and pulling him into a hug, not caring that the booth made it difficult. When they parted, he was sliding the ring on her finger and then they were kissing and maybe she was kinda crying again.
But it was wonderful. It wasn’t a trap, it was a warm, comforting blanket that would always be with her. She was safe. She was loved. And knowing that they had a future together, no matter where it took them, was such an immense relief on her soul.
She finally felt like a real person now, and so was he, so the possibilities were endless.
And she couldn’t wait to see what the future holds.
* * *
Did you like reading about Solomon and Frenchie? Are you ready to read another, possibly even better story about the Brothers of Miller Ranch up in Montana?
Well, if you haven’t read it already, the whole Brothers of Miller Ranch box set is priced at a great deal! There are over 350 STELLAR reviews combined on this series! I know you won’t be disappointed! Buy the Brothers of Miller Ranch Box Set on Amazon TODAY!
Author’s Note
Hello Reader!
I’m so happy you’ve made it to this point in my SECOND Contemporary Western Romance series! This book is a bit different than the rest of my contemporary western books in that it’s a little less focused on ranch life. BUT don’t worry, I have plans to steer it back in that direction! By the end of this series, all the people and animals on this ranch will be getting treated much better! And you’ll be seeing much more ranch life in the books to follow.
I can’t wait to have this side of the Miller family seeing that there’s more to life than money. It’s going to get better with each book! So get ready to download the next Miller Brothers of Texas book soon!
Also, don’t forget, the first book of this series, The New Cowboy at Miller Ranch, Miller Brothers of Texas Prologue is FREE! If you’re a part of my newsletter, you’ve already gotten your free copy of this book. If you haven’t joined my newsletter yet, you may do so here: nataliedeanauthor.com
Also, if you’re interested, I’ve got a short series available about the Miller’s of the 1800s! It’s called Brides of Miller Ranch. In that series, you’ll read about Juniper (the Juniper that Juniper’s Grove is named after), and two other amazing couples of the 1800s Miller Ranch. That’s why you’ll find stories from Ben and his brothers’ ancestors of years ago intertwined throughout this modern take off of Miller Ranch.
You can only find the Brides of Miller Ranch historical series in my Brides & Twins Mail Order Bride Compilation. It is the second series within that set of books. If you like historical westerns, you’ll love it!
Other books by Natalie Dean
NATALIE DEAN
BROTHERS OF MILLER RANCH (Contemporary)
Her Second Chance Cowboy
Saving Her Cowboy
Her Rival Cowboy
Her Fake-Fiance Cowboy Protector
Taming Her Cowboy Billionaire
BROTHERS OF MILLER RANCH BOX SET
MARRYING A MARSHAL SERIES (Historical)
An Unexpected Treasure
The Dangers of Love
The Outlaw’s Daughter
Falling for the Marshal
No Time For Love
MARRYING A MARSHAL BOX SET (includes the above five books, plus the previously unreleased 6th book of my Marrying a Marshal series)
LAWMEN’S BRIDES SERIES (Historical)
The Ranger’s Wife
Benjamin’s Bride
Carson’s Christmas Bride
Justin’s Captive Bride
BRIDES AND TWINS SERIES (Historical)
A Soldier’s Love
Taming the Rancher
The Wrong Bride
A Surprise Love
The Last Sister’s Love
BRIDES & TWINS Box Set / Mail-Order Bride Compilation (My best-seller! It includes TWO MORE unreleased heartwarming mail-order bride series)
LOVE ON THE TRAILS SERIES (Historical)
A Love Beyond Suspicion
Picture Perfect Love
Love of a Wild Rose
<
br /> A Dangerous Time to Love
A Cold Winter’s Love
Brides, Trails, and Mountain Men
Historical Western Romance Compilation
Includes my Love on the Trails Series plus an exclusive series titled Marrying a Mountain Man
BOULDER BRIDES SERIES (Historical)
The Teacher’s Bride
The Independent Bride
The Perfect Bride
The Indian’s Bride
The Civil War Bride
BOULDER BRIDES BOX SET
BRIDES OF BANNACK SERIES (Historical)
Lottie
Cecilia
Sarah
* * *
Though I try to keep this list updated in each book, you may also visit my website nataliedeanauthor.com for the most up to date information on my book list.
If you enjoyed this story…
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Exclusive Books By Natalie Dean
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About Author - Natalie Dean
Born and raised in a small coastal town in the south I realized at a young age that I was more adventurous than my conservative friends and family. I loved to travel. My passion for travel opened up a whole new world and new cultures to me that I will always be grateful for.
I was raised to treasure family. I always knew that at some point in my life I would leave my storybook life behind and become someone's mother, someone's aunt and hopefully someone's grandmother. Little did I know that the birth of my son later in life would make me the happiest I’ve ever been. He will always be my biggest achievement. The strong desire to be a work-from-home mom is what lead me down this path of publishing books.
While I have always loved reading I never realized how much I would love writing until I started. I feel like each one of my books have been influenced by someone or something I’ve experienced in my life. To be able to share this gift has become a dream come true.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed creating them. I truly hope to develop an ongoing relationship with all of my readers that lasts into my last days :)
www.nataliedeanauthor.com