Maxwell

We’d gotten dressed in silence as a look of nervousness crossed her face. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.” I pulled her into my arms, kissing her forehead. “No one is going to say anything. Now, let’s hurry up. I’ve got a lot to get done.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked, slipping on her sandals.

“I’ve got to find some financial information. My accountant had records for the ranch and told me the numbers didn’t add up. Someone was scamming money from your father, putting him in default.”

“Since it’s not his fault, they won’t take the ranch?”

“It doesn’t work like that. Even though he wasn’t the one stealing funds, it was his fault. When you let someone else handle your ledgers and money, you have to take responsibility for their behavior. It’s not like your father will be in trouble, but the property isn’t his anymore. Hopefully, we can get some of his money back, but I don’t know until I deal with it today.”

“Okay,” she muttered, looking a bit lost. After all, we didn’t tell her about the arrangement her dad and I made because I wanted her to want me for me and not because I saved the ranch.

I stepped up to her, tilted her chin and swiped my lips across hers. “Sweetheart, don’t be sad. I’ll do everything I can to make it work.”

A twinge of guilt showed in her eyes. “Thank you, but I know this isn’t on you. It’s not your problem.”

“No, it’s not, but I didn’t come down here for nothing. I want answers.”

We left the hotel with a few suspicious eyes on us, not that I gave a fuck anyway. She was mine, and if anyone had a problem with her behavior, they could shove it. I helped her into the truck and started the engine so that the air was on. It was already mid-day, and according to my dash, it was over a hundred.

“Before we go anywhere, there’s somewhere I want to stop.” I hit my phone and googled the nearest jewelry store. There was only a small one in town, but it would have to do. I may not give a fuck what these people thought, but I knew Maggie and her family would. Small towns equaled gossip hotspots.

The place had been in walking distance, but since we were already in the truck, I pulled in front of the shop three blocks down. It was open, thankfully. The door chimed as we entered, and this little old couple came out from the back.

“Hello, Maggie. I’m surprised to see you in here.”

“So am I.” The fact that she doubted me was probably because I was trying to get in her panties or buried balls deep in her.

I leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I want you tied to me and for everyone to know it.” She blushed but smiled up at me with her eyes wide. I saw the hope for the first time. She wanted forever with me, but this scared her. I got it now.

“Hello, I’m Maxwell Mason, and Maggie here has agreed to marry me. I came in here hoping you had something as special as her.”

The woman gushed, “Oh my, he’s so sweet and handsome.” I bit back a chuckle because she was giving me too much credit. I wasn’t sweet; I was selfish and wanted to keep her.

“I believe we do have some to choose from,” the old man said, walking to a large case toward the back wall. We followed him to it, and waited at the counter as he opened the sliding door. I saw the ring I thought was perfect for her. It wasn’t the largest ring I could get her, but I didn’t think she’d rock a five-carat stone. She was subtle and lovely, and this ring was it.

“I want this one,” I said, pointing to the solitaire two-carat. I didn’t know much about jewelry, but my social circles led to parties and lots of husbands buying expensive bobs to make their wives look like top shelf. Most of them treated them like bottom shelf with all their affairs, but for most of the wives, it seemed jewelry eased all the sleeping around.

I’d never be that way with Maggie. I knew from the moment I saw her that I couldn’t do without her face in my life and her sweetness hit me like a ton of bricks. Nothing and no one would ever separate us.

“Oh no, that one is too much, Maxwell.” I shook my head at her.

“Don’t you like it?” I asked, slipping it onto her finger, loving that we didn’t have to get it resized.

“I love it, but…” I pressed my finger to her lips, silencing her.

Dropping to one knee and holding her hand in both of mine, I said, “But nothing. Maggie Davidson, please marry me.”

“Yes,” she answered, giggling while tears rested on her eyelids.

I stood up and pulled her face close to mine and closed the gap, kissing her sweet lips. Remembering that we weren’t alone, I regrettably stepped back. I walked to the register and handed the owner my card. We were soon out and on our way back to her family ranch. I pulled up, hating to leave her, but I had a meeting back in town and I’d invited a couple of parties to join me in two hours.