Carry On Dreaming (The Cowboy's Promise sequel) (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 4

All the noise has stopped. Nobody moves or says a word, watching for Andrew's answer. I'm almost sweating. What if he says no? What if he just doesn't want to marry me now? What if he breaks up with me? God, even these thoughts are enough to make me relapse.

Andrew pauses for a second before answering. His hesitation makes my heart drop into my gut. He's about to refuse. I know. All the signs are there. But, of course, my anxiety is all for nothing.

"Yes. Of course I'll marry you."

I almost yell in relief. But I opt for tears and a tight hug. "Oh thank God."

When I look up from his shoulder, everyone is clapping and smiling. I slip the gunmetal ring on his finger. As soon as the ring is on, he grabs my head in his hands, pulling me in for a rough kiss. I hug him once again before stepping away.

€*€

"Congratulations, guys. You make a great couple."

"Thanks," I reply. Andrew just nods and smiles, but I see the tightness in his jaw. My arm snakes around his waist, my fingers digging in his ribs. Calm down.

But I don't blame him. Everybody and their brother have come to congratulate us. I just want to eat and watch the fireworks.

Which is why I'm glad when Red calls me over.

€*€

RED'S P.O.V.

"El! Come over here, I need you," I call. His body visibly relaxes as he jogs over to me.

"Whatcha need?"

"I need you to chill before you end up cussing somebody out," I chuckle. "But anyway, grab the other side of this cooler."

"Man, come on. It's like, the hundredth time I've heard it," he complains as he grabs the cooler.

I stick my bottom lip out, pouting like a child. "Oh, you poor baby. Get over it. You just got engaged. People are going to hug you and congratulate you. It's a part of life."

He lets a small grin play on his lips before sticking his tongue out. We carry the cooler to the other side of the pond and start emptying it. We start setting up the fireworks. Someone found it easier to lug a cooler full of fireworks around than bags of them.

When we finish we walk back over. I'm ready to sit down, but Sam's seventeen year old nephew waves a football.

"Mr. Dodge! Wanna play a game?"

"Dwayne, you're killing me. I guess I'll play a game."

He laughs and gives me a thumbs up, gathering a few more players. He manages to persuade ten more people. Stephen and I are team captains. I end up playing three games. Stephen's team wins the first game, and mine wins the next two.

I finally go sit back down, planning on not moving until dark. August climbs on my lap, a smooth black object in his hands. He holds it in front of my face, making me nearly go cross-eyed. I grab his wrist and push it backwards.

"See what I got, Uncle Red?"

"An arrowhead. That's awesome, Gust."

He smiles. My nephew found an obsidian arrowhead. I'm guessing it was in the creek, since there's still water dripping off it.

"Guess what?"

"What?" he asks, grinning at me.

"If you want, we can make that into a necklace."

"Right now?"

"No, buddy. Maybe tomorrow, okay?"

He nods and hands the treasure to me before running off.