At First Sight

I hear a familiar sounding truck race up the street, before it turns into the parking lot and skids to a stop. Lee jumps out and races in my direction, determination and fear written all over his face. 

He gently places a hand on my cheek and moves my head from side to side to assess the damage. 

Lee sighs, then picks me up bridal style and walks me to his truck. He gently places me in the seat and buckles me up.

I see him talking with Larry for a moment before Larry nods his head and then locks up my truck and takes the keys into the bar with him. 

Lee jumps in the drivers seat and takes off in a hurry. I rest my head and close my eyes for a moment. 

They just feel so heavy- I think to myself. 

Before I know it, the truck comes to a halt and Lee is carrying me to the house.

"I can walk" I say but Lee doesn't stop 

Lee gently places me on a bed, then runs to the fridge to grab some ice. He gently places the ice that he has wrapped in a towel on my right eye. I wince at the pain, then take a breath. 

I place my hand on his and look him in the eye

"Go" I say

He looks at me for a moment before he kisses my hand, then stands

"I love you" he says

"I love you too" I get out before he nods and races out the door. 

_____

I walk out to my truck to head to Ellis' when I hear hooves in the gravel behind me

"Where you off to, Red?" I hear Lee ask

I open the door to my truck and turn towards him

"I need to work, I can't just sit around" I reply

"Those men haven't been caught, I'd feel better if you stayed here" He said as he removed his hat and scratched his head

I walk up to his side and place my hand on his knee. As I look up, Lee smiles down at me

"Honey, I am just going to Ellis'. If I need you, I'll call" I say

He leans down and gives me a peck before placing his hat back on his head. As he cues his horse to walk on, I let my hand slide across his horse's rump. I watch him ride away for a moment before I jump in my truck and head out. 

I finish chores, then head to the pasture to grab the young mare I have been working with the past few weeks. 

We have a really nice ride, this youngster is so happy to please- I think to myself

Once we halt, I give the mare a pat on the neck

"You think you're ready to kick things up a notch?" I ask the horse

She turns her head ever so slightly to look at me. As if she's answered me, I decide to cool her down with a nice trail ride. 

We explore Ellis' property, enjoying nature. We get pretty close to where my old property used to be and for the first time since John bought the land, I am reminded of my old life. I try to remember the last words I said to my parents, then to my sister. I haven't had a proper conversation with her since she left after the funeral several months ago...

I take myself out of my thoughts and head back to the barn. 

"That mare seems ready! You've done a fine job young lady" Ellis says as I hop down

I smile and nod

"She's so eager to please" I say as I give her a scratch near her forelock

I can see Ellis looking at the scrapes and bruises that are slowly healing on my face

"I am okay, Ellis" I say

He nods and gives the mare a pat before heading back in the barn

____________

I pull in the driveway and see that Dolly is standing at the hitching post in front of the barn, beside the chestnut mare that had gotten injured on the cattle drive where I met Lee.  

I park my truck and notice Lee coming out of the barn, looking almost nervous. He rubs his hands on the front of his shirt, then looks in my direction. I hop out of the truck and make my way over. 

"What's going on?" I ask as I wrap my arms around his torso

"Figured we were due for a ride" he replied as he hugged me in return

"Mmm, that sounds lovely" I say

He places my hat on my head and looks down at me with that face I could just stare at forever

"Where were you hiding that?" I ask, not realizing he had my hat earlier

He sighs and motions me to move towards Dolly

"I've got a few tricks up my sleeve" he says before he gives my bum a pat while I walk

We reach a beautiful raised area looking over a large pasture with cattle grazing. The sun is starting to set behind a forrest covered mountain, and there's a rather large rock that is in the perfect spot to sit on and look out at the beautiful view. 

We tie the horses to two nearby trees and take a seat on the rock. 

I lean on Lee's shoulder and sigh. We sit there in silence for some time before a thought comes to my mind

"This is the kind of view I could spend the rest of my life looking at" I say

I feel Lee start to move so I sit up. He stands in front of me before he takes my hands in his, guiding me to stand. 

I furrow my brows, not really knowing what is happening... I follow his guidance and stand

He lets go of my hand for a moment and removes his hat from his head, placing it on the rock beside us. 

Grabbing my hand again, his brown eyes look deep into mine. 

"The only thing I want to do for the rest of my life is to be yours. I want to make a lifetime full of memories, have a litter of children, and be with you until my final breath" 

He grabs a small bag out of his chest pocket and gets down on one knee. 

I cover my mouth with my free hand as I watch him. My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to jump out of my throat. 

He pulls out a simple yellow gold ring and looks up at me with shiny eyes

"Will you marry me?" he asks

___________________

Author's note: 

I know I left you with a cliff hanger, sorry!

Working on the next chapter for you. I am slower than I was when I originally started this story but doing my best to update as often as possible :) 

Thanks for all the reads <3