That evening, after returning to the smokehouse, she brought out her mother's wedding-dress drawing.
The rancher had seen it months earlier.
Now she placed it on the table between them.
He looked at the design.
Then toward her.
“Still thinking about it?”
She nodded shyly.
He smiled.
“Good.”
She hesitated.
“Would you truly want to see me wearing something like this?”
His expression softened.
“Darling, I'd like to see you happy.”
She looked down.
He reached for her hand.
“And if wearing that dress would make you happy, I'd love to see it.”
Tears gathered in her eyes.
She studied him.
Then whispered, “Are you asking me something?”
The rancher became very still.
For a moment, he looked as though he'd been caught stealing from his own pantry.
Then he smiled nervously.
“Was planning to ask properly.”
She laughed through tears.
He reached into his coat.
Then stopped.
He had not brought a ring.
He hadn't planned to propose that evening.
But the woman's eyes were shining, and the drawing lay between them, and suddenly he couldn't imagine waiting another month.
He lowered himself carefully onto one knee beside her reinforced chair.
Her hands flew to her mouth.
The rancher took a slow breath.
“Darling, I don't have a fine ring tonight.”
She shook her head.
He continued.
“And I don't have a fortune.”
Her eyes filled.
“But I have a ranch, two working hands that aren't quite as good as they used to be, and a heart that seems determined to belong to you.”
She began crying.
He smiled through his own tears.
“I know life with me won't always be easy.”
He squeezed her hand.
“But I promise I'll listen when you tell me what you need. I'll tell you when I'm frightened. And I'll never ask you to become smaller so I can feel bigger.”
She could barely breathe.
He looked directly into her eyes.
“Will you marry me?”
For a moment, she was speechless.
Then she nodded.
“Yes.”
He stared.
She laughed through tears.
“Yes, you wonderful man.”
He rose.
Then gently embraced her.
She wrapped her enormous arms around his shoulders.
He kissed her.
When they finally separated, both were crying and laughing.
The rancher rested his forehead against hers.
“Reckon I need to find you a ring.”
She smiled.
“Eventually.”
He laughed.
“And a minister.”
She nodded.
“And perhaps a proper wedding date.”
He grinned.
“Suppose that would help.”