Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #3) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,83

the house and set down her bag.

“Wow, you weren’t wrong. It smells amazing in here.” She lifts her nose and inhales. “Seafood for sure.”

Reaching the oven, I take out the skillet, and her eyes widen.

“You made this?”

“Don’t sound so surprised.” I scoff. “I can cook. You just never let me.” After setting the pasta on the stovetop, I remove the garlic bread.

“If it tastes as good as it smells, I’ll gladly put you in charge of the kitchen from now on.” She grins, eyeing everything.

“Not sure I’d go that far. This took a lot of planning. I honestly don’t know how you make three meals a day for so many people.”

“Lots of practice and prepping ahead of time,” she responds effortlessly. “Also helps that I have help.”

“Now, I didn’t make dessert because I’m only so capable in the kitchen, but I did get Grandma Bishop to bake a cake for you.”

“You didn’t!” She gasps when I uncover it. “My favorite! German chocolate cake with chocolate mousse.”

I chuckle at how adorably excited she is. “Of course.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down for a kiss. “That was really thoughtful. I haven’t had that in years. Thank you.”

“Anything for my love.” Lowering my hands to her ass, I squeeze with a smirk. “You look beautiful, birthday girl. I love it when you wear easy-access dresses for me.”

Maize snorts. “Let’s see how good this meal is first before you get any ideas.”

The table is set, and I pull out a chair for her to sit so I can serve her. Once our plates and wineglasses are full, we dive in, and I swear she’s seconds away from an orgasm when she takes her first bite.

“Holy God, this is incredible,” she moans around a forkful. Before she even swallows, she takes another bite, inhaling it. “I’m gonna need this recipe. My parents would lose their minds over this.”

I don’t admit that I’ve already spoken to her parents and told them what I was cooking. They’re anxiously waiting to hear all about how tonight goes.

“Glad it turned out good,” I agree. “Don’t forget the garlic bread. I made that baby from scratch.”

She grins, putting a piece in her mouth. “Mmm…so good.”

“Did you have a good shift?” I ask when we’re almost finished eating. Though we text nonstop, I always like hearing her talk about her day.

“Yeah, I did. My dad surprised me with flowers and balloons, as usual. My mom wrote me the sweetest card that made both of us cry. Kenzie bought me something that I’m currently wearing under this dress…” She waggles her brows. “And a few of the guests sang me ‘Happy Birthday.’”

“Wow, sounds awesome.”

“And now I’m ending it on a high note and get to be with the man I love.” She gives me a sweet grin, and I can’t stop the burst of happiness that radiates through me.

After we finish eating, I take the opportunity to do what I’ve been anxious about for the past month.

“What would you think about spending every birthday night with me?”

“What do you mean?” She tilts her head in confusion.

“And all my birthdays too,” I add.

“Well, of course.” She licks her lips.

“Forever?” I ask.

She furrows her brows in confusion. Deciding it’s now or never, I stand and pull the velvet box from my pocket, then kneel in front of her.

“Wh-what are you doing?” She turns her body to face me.

“I have a special gift for you—well, two actually—but the most important one is this.” I open the box so she can see the diamond I picked out for her.

“Oh my God…” she whispers barely over a breath as her eyes zero in on it.

“I’m not looking for a girlfriend, Maize. I don’t need to date you any longer to know you’re the one for me. I want to fall asleep with you every night and wake up to you every morning. I’m ready to settle down and start a life with the woman I’m madly in love with. I want forever with you, baby. Now the question is if you’re ready for that too.”

Maize licks her lips, her eyes catching mine for a split second before she looks back down at the ring.

“I love you so much, Maize. Will you marry me?”

Her hands fly to her mouth as tears spill from her eyes. She nods furiously. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”

Her arms quickly swing around me, and she buries her face in my neck. I capture her to my chest