Daylight with Dallas was the new buzz term in Calypso and all across eastern Oklahoma. The popular morning show, hosted by Dallas Langley, had rocketed to the top, drawing more listeners than larger competitors. Everyone credited Dallas’s rich dulcet voice and her unique blend of psychology, music, common sense and a genuine respectful love of her listeners for the program’s startling success.

Lawson couldn’t be prouder or more delighted for his lady love. In the six months since she’d moved to Calypso and taken over the morning show, their love had matured and deepened. He’d never before considered marriage. Now he did.

“Think she suspects anything?” Wyatt asked.

“Not even a hint,” Emily said, grinning as she held to the hand of a squirming toddler. Her husband bent down and swooped the boy into his arms. “When we had lunch together yesterday, all she could talk about was the family Labor Day picnic and how excited and blessed she felt to be a part.”

“No hints from me, either,” Madison said. “And man, was it hard!”

“She still thinks the two of you are going for pedicures after her show, right?” Lawson asked his niece, who had mellowed considerably in their months together. Not that they didn’t have their moments and head-butts, but he didn’t regret a second of making her part of his life.

“Of course, Uncle Sheriff.” There went those rolling eyes. “I did my part.”

“Perfect.”

Gazing around at the people collected inside the conference room of Calypso Radio, Lawson’s chest swelled with pleasure. The Caldwell clan was here. Every member of the family, including extended members, had embraced Dallas completely. She was part of them, and they were here for her big surprise. At least, he hoped it was a surprise and not a disaster. He got the jitters thinking about it, but with lots of help from family and coworkers, he’d orchestrated this special event.

The station manager, Bill Jacobs, who’d helped put this gig together, stepped into the room. Every voice hushed. So much so, that Lawson could hear his heart pounding. He could also hear Dallas through the speakers set up inside the conference room. She was doling out advice to a brokenhearted caller.

“You’re up in three minutes, Sheriff.” Bill handed off a cell phone. “You’re all set to be patched straight through to Dallas.”

A flock of birds fluttered around in Lawson’s belly. Suddenly, his mouth was sandpaper dry.

Nate whacked him on the shoulder. “Go get ‘em, cowboy.”

So, he stepped out in the quiet hallway and made the most important call of his life.

Dallas watched the teleprompter and the engineer, Shelby, in the glass booth across from her microphone. Shelby must be dating someone special. She had a beautiful glow about her today as she worked the control panels and kept Dallas on schedule.

Shelby held up one hand, counting down until the music ended and the next caller was on the air.

When she reached one, Dallas took a breath and said, “A little soothing tune for Jamie’s broken heart. Jamie, there’s someone out there for you. Keep smiling, my friend, stay positive, and she’ll find you.”

A caller flashed on the screen. “Now, we’re going to William, right here in Calypso. Good morning, William. What’s going on with you today?”

“I’m calling to ask an important question.”

Dallas sat up straighter, eyebrows tugged together. Lawson? Or someone named William with a very similar voice? “Ask away. Daylight with Dallas is here to help.”

“Well, you see, I’m in love with an incredible woman, and I’m convinced she loves me too.”

Dallas gave a warm, throaty chuckle. Lawson, for sure. What game was he playing at? “Sounds serious.”

“It is. Very serious. So serious that she’s got me thinking matrimony.”

Her heart took one giant leap. What was he doing? What was she supposed to say to that?

Because she couldn’t think what else to do, Dallas threw out the question she’d ask a regular caller. “Have you popped the question yet?”

“Actually, that’s why I called.”

In her peripheral vision, a sign appeared in the engineer’s window. She lifted her eyes…lost her breath. Lawson was smiling through the glass, a cell phone to his ear. Madison held a poster board.

It said, Please? We love you so much!

“Dallas Langley,” his wonderful, much loved voice said, “will you hitch your star to this small-town sheriff and make me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?”

“Lawson. Oh, Lawson.” She completely forgot about the countdown to commercial and the end of her show. Her total focus was on the man in uniform with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Her love. Her man. Her perfect mate. Holding up a ring box.

Overjoyed, and so touched that he’d chosen this way to propose, she nodded up and down a dozen times. She, a woman who made her living with her voice, couldn’t find it.

“Is that a yes?” he asked, and she could see his mouth moving.

“Yes, yes, yes.” She tossed off the headphones, knowing Shelby would take over from there, and raced out of the booth. Lawson and a crowd of people met her in the hallway.

She jumped into Lawson’s arms. He caught her, stumbled back a step, only to be braced up by her brothers, every one of them grinning like maniacs.

She kissed him with all the love she had and received the same in return.

When she came up for air to applause and cheers, Dallas looked from Madison to Emily and the other Caldwell women and, finally, to Bethany and several friends from Bayville. “You knew? All of you?”

The answer came in smiles and nods. Madison jumped up and down in a fit of glee. Dallas couldn’t believe the teen had kept a secret from her. They talked about everything. She pointed at the girl, whose grin was as big as a watermelon slice.

“Party in the conference room right now,” Wyatt announced and spun around to lead the parade.

“How did you do this?” she asked in amazement as she and Lawson entered the party.

“Sneaky lawman.” Lawson winked.

Balloons emblazoned with Congratulations! floated around the room. Huge signs graced the walls with her name and Lawson’s in big red hearts. Madison’s handiwork, no doubt. A cake and punch decorated one table. Gifts were on another.

“Lawson wanted to surprise you,” Connie said, offering a side hug, the only kind she could give, considering that Dallas refused to leave Lawson’s embrace.

“He certainly did that. I’m shaking all over.” She held out a trembling hand.

“Other hand, please.” Lawson stepped away and went to one knee. “Gotta make it official.”

Suddenly a circle formed around them as if they’d all planned this moment.

Wonderful, incredible Lawson. He’d done this for her. Because he loved her that much.

“How did I ever find a man as thoughtful and romantic and fabulous as you?” Dallas asked.

“As I recall, you threw up on my sidewalk.”

Laughter circled the room.

“Wait, wait.” Lawson held a silencing hand toward the crowd. “That day, that moment, for me, was a blessing from God. You were beautiful and brave, trying so hard to be strong. When you collapsed in my arms, I never wanted to let you go. You were too beautiful for words, and I think I started falling in love with you right then.”

Dallas offered her left hand. “You were my hero, my rescuer, and now you are my love.”

“Then, to make this official, will you be my beautiful bride in sickness and health forever and ever?”

“I absolutely will.”

He slid the ring on her finger, and, before she could move again, he clicked handcuffs on her wrist and attached the other to himself.

Dallas laughed and leaned in to seal the deal with a kiss.

Then, with a triumphant, “Yes!” Lawson lifted their locked hands toward the ceiling. Her engagement ring sparkled beneath the lights, a gorgeous diamond surrounded by sapphires the color of Lawson’s eyes.

The room began to cheer and clap. Someone whistled. One of the babies squealed. So did Madison.

Dallas felt like squealing too. The surprise was perfect. The only thing that could have made it better was if her mother was here.

She clung to Lawson, not wanting to be sad.

Mom had taken the news better than Dallas had expected, finally explaining the circumstances surrounding Dallas’s birth. Mom had met a grieving rancher, lonely and desperately in need of comfort, and had fallen in love. When she realized how much he still loved his late wife, Mom believed Clint could never love her the way she wanted and needed. After breaking off the relationship, she learned she was pregnant. Determined not to hurt the man she loved with demands, she kept her child a secret.

Dallas had taken comfort in the story. So had the Caldwell siblings. But her mother was still shy about meeting them.

“Hey.” Lawson tapped her under the chin. “Where’d you go? Are you okay?”

Sweet, beloved man. Always thinking of her. “Very okay. But I wish my mom…”

The crowd parted and a slender blonde with Dallas’s blue eyes came toward her, hands outstretched. “Baby.”

“Mama.” Suddenly, she was locked in a three-way embrace with Lawson doing his best to stay out of the way, even though they were handcuffed together. “You came. I didn’t think…”

“Your beautiful new family drove all the way to Texas to meet me and make me feel welcome.”

“They did?” she asked in wonder.

“They love you that much.” Mom hitched her chin toward a grinning Lawson. “Especially that one. He threatened to arrest me if he had to.”

Dallas shook her head in tender amusement. “Cops. What can I say?”

“I’ll tell you what to say,” Ace said above the noise. “Let’s cut the cake!”

“Yeah,” Madison said, her face glowing with excitement. “I’m starving.”

Surrounded by family and friends, Dallas led the way to the engagement table, still handcuffed to the love of her life.

Joined. Connected. She and her cowboy sheriff. Not only by the wrists, but by the committed love inside their hearts, a love to last forever. Exactly the way God intended.