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clue. He could see it
in Kip's eyes and in the slump of his shoulders. He hoped that his man could
forgive him the subterfuge.
    "Jamie wants to say something." Lane tilted his
head to Jamie and sat down.
    All eyes turned to Jamie and he didn't know why he'd thought
this would be a good idea. Maybe it was because the men were his family and
he'd been so close to them. After the crash and the abduction, they'd opened up
to each other. No longer were they just working partners, they were friends,
brothers really. Jamie swallowed over his fear and stood on shaky legs, his
hands too damp to hold a glass.
    "Well, when I came up with this idea I really didn't
think it would be this difficult. I love you guys. You're like family to me.
We've had a tough year. I want you all to have something to celebrate." He
glanced down at Kip, wondering if he should have said something before the
dinner. "At least I hope we have something to celebrate."
    Kip's eyebrows rose and Jamie pushed back his chair and
dropped to one knee. All of the cowboys adjusted in their seats and a few gasps
went up around the room. Silence settled over them and sweat rolled down
Jamie's forehead. He'd never been this nervous in his life. Even asking Pastor Roberts
to preside over the ceremony hadn't been this hard.
    "Kip, I know we haven't known each other for long, but
you are so important to me. Maybe I should have asked you this in private, but
these men are like brothers to me. They are family and this is a family thing
for me. I want you in my life forever. The only way I know to make sure you
understand how serious I am about you is to ask you to marry me. Will you be my
husband? Will you marry me and spend the rest of your life with me?"
    Kip closed his eyes. A single tear beaded in the corner of
his eye then raced down his cheek. Jamie waited, his heart thudding and his
stomach turning. Heat washed over him and his stomach dropped. His worst fears
were coming to roost and now he'd have to deal with the aftermath of Kip's
rejection.
    The room was still silent and Kip's sob echoed around the
room. He opened his eyes and the intensity burned through Jamie. Kip stood and
Jamie thought for sure the man was going to run off. Instead, he kicked his
chair out of the way and dropped to his knees in front of Jamie.
    "Baby, I love you so much. My life is you. I should be
the one asking you. You honor me by wanting me. God, I love you so much. I want
to be with you forever. Hell, I thought you were going to leave me." Kip
tackled Jamie, gentling him to the ground, lying on top of him as he kissed
Jamie, his tongue demanding entrance.
    The whoops and shouts erupted around the room and Kip pulled
back, his face red as he realized just how hot and heavy they were getting.
"I guess we should save this for later," Kip whispered.
    "Promise?"
    "I promise to be your husband, to be with you forever,
and to love you like crazy."
    Jamie's eyes burned and his head swam. They were really going
to do this. Kip helped him up and didn't let go of his hand as he moved their
chairs where they could sit. The guys ribbed them, placing bets on how long
they would stay at the table before going back to their room to have sex. Jamie
ate one-handed as he held on to Kip, amazed that he'd said yes.
    They stayed until Cookie cut the cake but took the pieces
back to the bunkhouse. Kip set the plate on the dresser and pinned Jamie
against the wall. "I have a question for you."
    "Yeah."
    "When you were going into town and acting strange, what
were you doing?"
    Jamie huffed out a breath. "I wanted Pastor Roberts to
do the ceremony. I always have. He's been my pastor for years and I couldn’t
stand the thought of him not approving. At first it was just him praying that I
would come to my senses. Then I came back the next day and we talked more. Then
we prayed and talked some more."
    "Wow, you did this for me—for us?"
    "That's not all. We got into some heavy discussions and
eventually he ended up