Sherry wasn’t sure what made her look in her rearview mirror, but when she did, her breath jammed in her throat. Cody was riding bareback, chasing after her on the gelding he’d been working with minutes earlier. The horse was in full gallop, and Sherry was astonished that he managed to stay on.

She came to a stop, and so did the gelding. Cody slid off his back and jerked open her car door.

“Are you going to marry me or not?” he demanded. He was panting hard.

Sherry eyed him calmly. “Do you love me?”

“After everything I’ve been through, how can you ask me a question like that!” he snapped. “Yes, I love you. What does it take to convince you I mean it? Blood?”

“No,” she whispered, biting her lower lip.

“I love you, Sherry Waterman,” he said. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She nodded through her tears.

“Hot damn!” he shouted, then hauled Sherry into his arms so fast her breath fled her lungs. A second later, his mouth was on hers.

His kiss left her trembling. “Cody…” she said, breaking away from him. “You maniac! You chased after my car on a horse just the way Luke came after Ellie, and you always said that was such a stupid thing to do.”

He opened his mouth as though to deny it, but didn’t say a word. He blinked, then smiled sheepishly. “So I did. Guess this is what love does to a man.”

“Do you really love me?”

“Love you?” he cried. “Yes, Sherry, I love you.”

“But you—”

“Don’t even say it.” He kissed her again, this kiss far less urgent, more…loving. After a few minutes he released her and said, “Let’s go.”

“Where?” she asked.

“Where else? A preacher. I’m not giving you the opportunity to change your mind.”

She threw her arms around his neck again. “I’m not going to, not ever.” It was Sherry who initiated the kissing this time, and when they finished, Cody was leaning against the side of her car. His eyes were closed and his breathing was labored. Then he reached for her again and swung her off the ground.

“Put me down,” Sherry said. “I’m too heavy.”

“No, you’re not,” Cody declared. “I’m calling the preacher right now and we’ll get the license this afternoon.”

“Cody,” she said, “put me down!”

He finally did, then looked at her firmly. “I’ve waited ten long years for you, and I’m not putting this wedding off another day. If you want one of those big fancy shindigs, then…” He paused.

“A small ceremony is fine.” She grinned.

“With a reception big enough to fill the state of Texas, if that’s what you want.”

“I want my family here.”

“I’ll have airplane tickets for them by noon.”

“Cody, are we crazy?”

“Yes, for each other, and that’s just how it’s supposed to be. Luke told me that, and I didn’t understand it until I met you.” He grimaced comically. “Sherry Waterman, what took you so long?”