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He lifted a brow. “What’s the third win?”
Emma smirked. “As far as I’m concerned, you won, too.”
“Did I?” he teased.
Emma gasped playfully. “I don’t know of another human being who would just up and move to a place like this because of a boy.”
“And you didn’t,” Caleb bantered back. “I seem to recall that you moved here because you couldn’t get enough of this town and all the people in it.”
Her mouth dropped open, though she still smiled. “Exactly. The people.Onein particular.”
He feigned surprise. “Are you talking about me? I’m flattered, really.”
Emma whacked him in the arm with her fingertips. “You better be careful, or…”
“Or what?” He chuckled. “I’m going toregretit?”
She turned serious, and he nearly choked on his amusement. Emma slipped her fingers within his. “Come with me.”
“Emma—I was just joking—I wasn’t?—”
Glancing over her shoulder at him briefly, Emma whispered, “Will you be quiet? I don’t want to draw any attention.”
Caleb snapped his mouth shut, letting her drag him from the house. Crusted snow covered the ground. It was already getting dark outside and he had no idea where she wanted to take him. He shuffled after her, only barely catching up to walk at her side when she all but pushed him into the barn.
“Emma, what?—”
She placed a finger on his lips. “I need to say something, and I want you to listen.”
“Okay…” he mumbled beneath her finger.
“Reallylisten,” she insisted.
Caleb nodded. “I’m listening.”
She took a deep breath, her voice shaking slightly when she let out a soft, indiscernible sound. Emma paced a bit in front ofhim, and his eyes followed her as she moved back and forth. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she said under her breath.
“Emma?”
She spun to face him, shooting him a warning look. “You promised.”
He stiffened and pretended to zip his lips.
Emma closed the distance between them to stand directly in front of him. “I don’t normally make rash decisions.”
He chuckled. “Technically, you made a rash decision when you flew to Colora… do.” Caleb ducked his head and pressed his lips together. “Okay, okay.”
Emma took his hands in hers, and then slowly she lowered herself to the ground. His eyes widened, but before he could pull her to her feet, she spoke. “I wouldn’t be kneeling here if I didn’t believe in what I was doing. I wouldn’t have moved here, bought that house, or even come to Thanksgiving dinner if I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to be in ten years—in five years—or even next year.” Her eyes filled with moisture that reflected in the dim light of the barn. “I love you so much, and I want to spend my life with you. I need you to know that.”
“I know, Emma.” He attempted to pull her to her feet, but she resisted.
“If you asked me to marry you, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment. So that’s why I’m here—kneeling before you. I don’t want to live without you in my life—or without the promise of having you forever. You don’t have to answer me right now. You can take time to think about it if you?—”
Caleb shook his head. “I don’t need to think about it.” He gave her a wry smile. “I would have liked to have been the one doing the asking… but I suppose our relationship has never really been traditional.” He tugged her to her feet, relieved when she allowed him to pull her close. He brushed her hair from her face. “I have never loved anyone more than I loveyou. Everything you said… I feel the same.” He cocked his head slightly. “I would marry you tomorrow if I could.”
“Then let’s do it.”
His brows lifted. “What?”
