You and Adam were out in front of the Ponderosa home, spending some quality time together. Ben, Hoss, and Joe had ridden out a little earlier leaving just the two of you together.
"Hey honey, wanna go for a ride?" Adam takes your hand and smiles.
"Sure! Where'd you wanna go?" You hop down off the fence where you had been sitting watching Adam carve a small horse figurine out of a chunk of redwood.
"Oh, just wherever. I figured we'd go where the wind takes us."
"Alright." You grin and give Adam a quick kiss before going to saddle your horse. Adam hangs back for a second, watching you with a smile. He catches up to you, and you saddle your horses together and take off, with Adam leading the way.
Despite his suggestion that you could just wander, Adam seemed to be riding with a destination in mind. Soon you found yourself on a familiar path. It lead to an abandoned cabin on the Ponderosa property, well hidden in the pines and brush. You and Adam had spent a lot of time in this cabin, using it to meet for your secret dates towards the start of your relationship. You had set up many picnics on the old wood floor, spending hours cleaning the place up and making it homey. You hadn't told anyone but hoped to fix it up one day to live in.
The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the sun just beginning to set as you neared the cabin. Adam helped you down off your horse and you thought you heard a horse's winny in the distance. You turned your head but decided it was nothing. Adam's grip on your hand tightened slightly, and when you looked at him, you caught a glimmer of something in his eyes—excitement, or maybe nerves. He hadn't said much on the ride over, but you didn't think much of it. The peacefulness of the evening had wrapped around you both, and the quiet felt comfortable.
When you reached the front door, you stopped short. The once dusty and abandoned space was transformed. Inside, the floor was strewn with wildflowers, their delicate petals softening the rough wood. Lanterns hung from the beams, casting a warm, golden glow that made the whole room feel alive. It was breathtaking.
"Adam..." you whispered, turning to him.
He was standing just behind you, watching your reaction with a small smile playing on his lips. Without a word he lead you inside, your heart racing. As you crossed the threshold you heard music start to play from one of the old bedrooms, the gentle melody adding to the atmosphere. Once you had reached the center of the room, Adam turned to face you, taking both of your hands in his.
"I wanted to bring you back here. I know how much you love this place, and I thought... well, maybe we could make it our own."
Before you could say anything, Adam released one of your hands and reached into his coat pocket, getting on one knee. Your breath caught in your throat as he pulled out a ring. His dark eyes met yours, soft and sure.
"Y/n, I love you," he said quietly, his voice steady, though you could feel the weight behind his words. "I knew it from the moment we met. I can't imagine spending another day without you by my side. Will you marry me? Will you make this place, and my heart, truly ours?"
Tears filled your eyes as you nodded, a smile breaking across your face. "Yes, Adam. Yes."
He slid the ring onto your finger, then pulled you into his arms, lifting you and spinning as you laughed. This place, the cabin, and everything about this moment—it felt like home, with Adam. As he set you back on the ground, Adam called towards the old bedroom. "Come on out!"
Ben, Hoss, and Little Joe stepped out—grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, it's about time!" Joe said, grinning from ear to ear.
Hoss chuckled, walking over with his usual warmth. "We knew it was bound to happen from the moment you met!" He clapped Adam on the back and then smiled at you, his eyes twinkling with happiness.
Ben stood with his arms crossed, a proud and knowing smile on his face. "We rode ahead to set everything up. Had to make sure it was just right for a moment like this."
Your eyes widened in surprise, and a laugh bubbled out of you. "You did all this?"
Ben stepped forward, his expression softening as he took your hand, glancing between you and Adam. "Congratulations. I know you'll be very happy together."
Adam smiled and kissed you on top of the head and you laid your head on his shoulder, looking up at him with pure love.
