I reply, referring to my horse. We got him about three months after Dolly in an estate sale from a nearby ranch.
I was able to use the money I was paid from Matthew and pay off all the debt I owed on the ranch. What was left was used on the grounds and to slowly start to bring in more animals. The beef market turned around, with prices skyrocketing when many smaller ranches started to flounder. When cattle numbers started to drop, demand began to rise, along with the prices. I knew it would happen and was grateful I was able to stick it out until it did.
While Kyla walks Dolly around the paddock, I saddle up Samson, a fresh wave of nerves starting to set in. The dogs are out with Ky, leaving me alone in the barn with my horse and the ring burning a hole in my pocket. I’ve been planning this day for what feels like forever. In reality, it’s been a little more than a month since I picked up the custom engagement ring made by a local jeweler in Casper.
Glancing around, I realize this is it. The moment that could potentially change the rest of life. It would tie Kyla and me together forever, until death us do part. Equal parts excitement and edginess, I mount my horse and head out to find my love.
“Come on, let’s head over to the western pasture and check the fences,” I tell her when I approach.
“Sounds good,” she replies, turning Dolly to head off to the trail.
I follow behind, enjoying the view of her sitting atop the horse and also trying to figure out what in the hell I’m going to say. Everything I’ve been planning for weeks seems to just evaporate from my mind, as if I haven’t been stressing and obsessing about these words. By the time we get to our favorite pasture, my heart is threatening to jump right out of my chest. Once we reach the small cluster of trees that gathers near the pond. I quickly dismount, leading Samson over to a smaller tree and tying him up. Once he’s secure, I move to Kyla, anxious to help her down. Not because she needs the help, but so I can put my hands on her.
“Thank you,” she giggles, as my hands slowly slide up her sides.
“Anything to get my hands on you,” I tell her honestly.
Once Dolly is secured to another tree, I take Kyla’s hand and walk her toward the water where the dogs are already swimming. They love walking the property with us, especially when we come out here where they can swim in the small pond.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I say, pulling her away from the water’s edge. “I have something I want to show you.”
***
Kyla
I’m nervous. I’ve been trying for two days to figure out how to have this conversation with Mason, and it appears the perfect opportunity has presented itself. He loves this pond, much like I do. It’s probably my favorite place on the ranch, with the exception of the front porch. My hope is that it’ll relax him enough to not take my news like a bomb tossed in his lap.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he says, pulling me away from the water’s edge. “I have something I want to show you.”
We head for the cluster of trees I love, weaving into the middle until we reach a small clearing. That’s when I look up and notice the platform. “What’s that?” I ask, gazing skyward as he leads me beneath it.
“Come see,” he instructs, pointing to the wooden ladder. As I place my hands on the rung above me, he adds, “They’re safe and secure, I promise.”
I smile, already knowing that. Mason would never let me climb a ladder he wasn’t sure was secure. As I breach the flooring, I grab on to the railing and hoist myself up and take a look around. We’re not super high, but enough I can see into the trees and the pond off in the distance.
I wonder what we’re doing up here and when he could have done this. I know he goes off with the ranch hands alone a lot, but I would have thought he’d tell me he was building a structure back here.
When I turn around, I’m surprised to find him on the floor. Not sitting but kneeling on one knee and holding something in his hand. “Mase?” I ask, confused at what’s going