Sleighed by the Farmer’s Daughter (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Seth pulled into the RV dealership and parked the car with a grin. “Here we are. I can’t wait for you to see this!”

They didn’t have to walk far before Seth stopped in front of three Airstream campers, waving his arm like a proud presenter. “Say hello to Bambi. These are small enough to be towed by an SUV, which I know you prefer over a pickup truck. This one,” he pointed to the shortest, “can be pulled by an Explorer. These two will require an Expedition. The longer one is brand new, but the other two are gently used and absolute steals.”

Mack’s eyes widened as she approached the twenty-footer. “Can I look inside?”

“Of course. I’ll call the owner and let him know we’re here so you can talk to him.”

Two hours later, Mack had made her decision and signed the purchase agreement.

As they settled into a booth at a local seafood restaurant, Mack squealed softly in delight. “I can’t believe I just did that. This is really happening! In a little over a month, I’ll be traveling across the US with my handsome boyfriend in my very own camper. AH!”

Seth’s grin spread wide, reflecting his joy at their progress. “I’m glad you’re happy and haven’t changed your mind.”

“Are you kidding? I’m counting the days. My apartment is almost packed. I was trying to figure out what I really needed, so I didn’t overpack, but now that I’ve seen the space or lack of it, I can make my final decisions. My mom is going to freak when she hears I bought my new home.”

As their salads were delivered, Seth asked, “Since you decided on the twenty-footer, I’d suggest getting the Expedition. We’ll be heading into the mountains, and it would put strain on an Explorer’s engine.”

“I was thinking the same thing. The Expedition will also fit our future family better. I want four kids, and you’re really tall. The Expedition will meet our needs not just for the next year, but for the long haul.”

Seth’s fork froze halfway to his mouth as he stared at Mack, processing what she had just said. “Mack, did you just propose to me, or are you just asking me to make babies with you?”

Mack replayed her words in her mind, and understanding dawned. She burst out laughing, needing her napkin to stifle the sound.

Seth chuckled, unable to take his eyes off her. He could watch her laugh for a hundred years and never get tired of it.

“Very funny. No and no,” Mack said breathlessly, still trying to collect herself. “I’m old-fashioned. You’ll be the one proposing to me. I didn’t plan to announce my intentions so bluntly, but now you know where I stand on our relationship. How does that sit with you?”

Leaning across the table, Seth whispered, “Sweetheart, we can marry and start the baby-making part tonight if you want.”

“Ha, not going to happen. I want a wedding, and we’re still in the early stages. I’ve been thinking that I’m turning thirty-one soon, and if I want four kids before I’m forty, I need to get a move on. I’m thinking we’ll take this summer to make sure we’re a good fit, plan where we’ll live, and then we can marry and start our life together. What do you think?”

“I think I’m going to start looking for a ring.”

They enjoyed their meal, discussed Mack’s move, and figured out the timeline and logistics. As they drove back into the city, Mack chuckled.

“It just hit me that we have the most unconventional relationship.”

“How so? Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy convinces girl he’s the one. They live happily ever after. Sounds like your typical love story to me.”

“Are you kidding me? We just went on our first date. On that date, I bought a home, we agreed to have four kids, marry within the year, and discussed engagement ring styles. The only thing we didn’t discuss is where we’ll live and the colors I want for the wedding. It’s crazy!”

Seth squeezed her fingers reassuringly. “Crazy can be good. Crazy can be very good. We’re going to have an amazing life together. Just wait and see.”

***

Spring and summer came and went as Mack and Seth traversed the West Coast and made their way up the East Coast. Late September found them sitting on the back deck of Seth’s North Carolina cabin, overlooking Nantahala Gorge, enjoying the sound of the water rushing below and the wind blowing through the trees.

“I love fall. After exploring so much of the country these past few months, I know my happy place is in the forest on the East Coast. What about you? You’ve spent time in every state. Where do you see us putting down roots?” Mack asked, turning to gaze at Seth, who lounged in his Adirondack chair beside her.

“I can be flexible as long as there are trees. Growing up, I thought Eric was the mountain man in the family, but now I know I have a bit of an outdoorsman in me, too. I need a forest around me, not a bunch of houses. What about Cloverdale? Don’t you want to live close to your family?”

“Yes and no. I want to be able to visit easily, but I don’t want to live in Cloverdale. I’m a farmer’s daughter, but I don’t want to be a farmer’s wife. I don’t mind helping out when they’re short-handed, but I never want to live on the farm again. My mom is a cowgirl through and through. She loves her cows, her creamery, and her cheese. Me? I’m a country girl, but not a cowgirl or farm girl. Daddy offered us a few acres on the farm to build a house, but I told him thanks, but no thanks. He smiled and said the offer stands, but he knows in his heart that I’m never going to join the family operation.”

“Can we put this conversation on hold for a minute?” Seth asked, suddenly jumping up and heading into the cabin. “Can you head next door for thirty minutes and come back? There’s something I need to do, and it can’t wait. I’m sorry, I just realized the time.”

“Okay, sure,” Mack said, confusion wrinkling her brow. “Do you just want to text me when you’re finished?”

“Nope, set a timer. Thirty minutes. I’ll be ready.”

Mack walked over to her cabin next door, still puzzled by Seth’s urgency. It was getting late, so she decided to shower and get ready for bed while she waited. When the alarm on her phone went off, she wrapped her fluffy winter bathrobe over her night clothes, slipped into her fuzzy slippers, and clipped her slightly damp hair on top of her head. She slipped out the screen door and headed back to Seth’s deck.

The September temperatures were mild, but down in the gorge, they dipped into the nippy range at night. She loved sitting out on the porch as the stars came out, wrapped in a warm blanket, enjoying the beauty of nature. This location was one of her favorites so far. Seth had an eye for quality properties, and she felt blessed to enjoy them with him.

Turning down the graveled path and getting a clear view of Seth’s deck, she wondered what had been so urgent. She could see a glow—maybe he had finally fixed the firepit as he’d been planning all week and wanted to surprise her. But why send her away for that? They could have talked while he did the maintenance, as they often did.

As she climbed the stairs, she saw Seth kneeling at the front of the deck. What she assumed was the glow of the firepit turned out to be the soft light of dozens of candles, their tiny flames dancing in the evening breeze.

“What are you doing? It’s too windy for candles,” she chided, approaching him.

Seth quickly shoved a piece of paper into his pocket and looked up at her, holding out an open ring box with an absolutely gorgeous diamond ring nestled in the black velvet.

Mack stopped a few feet away, indecision swirling through her mind. Should she tell him to wait thirty minutes while she ran back to the house to change into actual clothes, or should she roll with this and chalk it up to the wonderfully abnormal relationship that seemed to be theirs? Deciding on the latter, she closed the distance between them and clasped her hands in front of her, trying to take in the moment and not let the fact she was getting proposed to in fuzzy slippers and a bathrobe bother her.

“Mack, the past nine months have been the best days of my life. I never expected them. Never thought I wanted them. But now that I’ve lived them, all I can think about is how I can have more. More of you. More of your smile. More of your laughter. More of the outrageousness that comes with you. People who hear our love story would never believe it until they see us together, gloriously happy. I want to spend the rest of my days loving you. I don’t care if we travel the world or never leave our porch again. I will give you as many children as you want and love them unconditionally. I want to be by your side from today until the good Lord calls us home. I will find contentment in the life we build together as long as I can call you mine. Mackenzie Adams, will you marry me?”

Mack threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

“Sweetheart, you were supposed to say yes and let me put the ring on first,” he whispered against her lips, not breaking the kiss.

“I’m kissing you. Isn’t that answer enough?” Mack teased, kissing him again. When she finally pulled away, her fingers still caressing the hair on the back of his head, she added, “We haven’t done anything else conventionally. Why should the engagement kiss be any different? I mean, look at me! You just proposed to me in my nightclothes!”

“If you’ll kiss me like that again, I’ll propose again after you change. I have my speech memorized. For the record, I love you all cozy in your robe. These nights cuddled up on the deck have been some of my favorite memories.”

“No, a redo would just ruin it. We met in a strange way, so why not get engaged in a slightly unorthodox way, too? It’s our story, and weird seems to be our golden thread. Now, put that rock on my finger and get up here before you bruise your knee. I need you in working order when we explore the festival in Wilkesboro tomorrow. Let’s finish tonight off strong, fiancé.”

Seth placed the ring on her finger, then, with a gentle tug, he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her as they settled into the large Adirondack chair. The night was quiet, the air crisp, and the stars above them seemed to shine a little brighter as they sat together, cocooned in the warmth of their love.

Mack nestled into his chest, her hand resting over his heart, feeling the steady beat beneath her palm as she observed the diamond’s fire. “You know,” she whispered, her voice filled with contentment, “this is exactly where I want to be for the rest of my life, tucked in the protection of your arms.”

Seth pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his own heart swelling with emotion. “Then this is how we’ll stay,” he murmured. “No matter where we go, as long as I have you by my side, it’ll always feel like home.”