by Emma Woods
I laughed and headed toward my car with a spring in my step and my arms full of all the last-minute things I wanted to take home over the summer. “Bye! Have a good summer!” I called to everyone I passed.
The buses were lined up in the bus loop, and I decided that they enjoyed their summer respite just as much as the teachers did. In fact, I was so busy imagining their well-earned rest that I didn’t immediately notice the truck parked next to my car.
Then, with a snap, I realized that it was Tom’s truck next to mine and he was standing, leaning against the back of it, arms crossed, just watching me as I made my way across the parking lot.
“What are you doing here?” I called. I was sweaty and my hair was frizzing out all over the place in its ponytail. Tom never seemed to care when I was mess. Still, I had envisioned our next meeting with me looking elegant and put-together and not smelling like my deodorant had quit hours earlier.
No matter. I couldn’t stop the grin from spreading over my face at the sight of the man I was madly in love with.
However, Tom was completely serious. He didn’t say anything until I put my load down on the trunk of my car and turned to him.
We were only inches apart when he asked, “Is the school year officially over?”
His eyes were warm and intense and full of all the emotions he’d been holding in this year. I could only nod.
“Finally,” he breathed.
Tom’s calloused hands came up and gently held my jaw as he leaned in and kissed me, right there in the school parking lot.
It was every bit as wonderful as I’d imagined. I would have liked to keep kissing him all day, but he pulled back and smiled at me with wonder.
“Does this mean you’re my girlfriend now?” he asked.
“Oh, yes,” I nodded and hoped he’d kiss me again.
“Good. It wouldn’t be right to propose to a woman who isn’t my girlfriend.” And he reached in the pocket of his worn jeans and pulled out a ring box. “Jill, will you marry me?”
I gaped at him. We’d been “dating” for a few seconds. We’d kissed for the first time just a minute ago. I was completely shocked by his proposal.
And we’d been talking for months. We’d fallen in love a long time back. Nothing felt more right than eagerly replying, “Oh, yes.”
Beaming, Tom leaned in and kissed me again. We stood there in the parking lot for several long minutes, the rest of the world forgotten as we basked in the wonder of each other.
* * *
Thank You
Thanks for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, or even if you didn’t, it would be awesome if you left a review for me on Amazon and/or Goodreads. It really helps me know how I’m doing.
The next book in the Triple Star Ranch Romance series is called Love is a Dance and you will definitely want to find out who falls in love next.
Order Love is a Dance here:
amazon.com/dp/B0838QC457
Until then, if you’re interested in historical western stories, you should check out the Rushing Into Love series which takes place during the California Gold Rush. The first story in that series is called More Precious Than Gold.
Get More Precious Than Gold here:
amazon.com/dp/B07WHWDK4C
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