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Every single horse had their heads leaning out of the stall doors Scott had set up a small round table in the middle of the barn We didn’t want to use real candles so he had LED candles sitting in the s and the salad had already been placed onto the table Turning to me, Lauren slowly shook her head "Did you plan this?"

Grinning, I noddeda dazed look on her face, Lauren whispered in a disbelieving voice, "Why?"

Cupping the sides of her face withits way down Lauren’s beautiful face "Because I love you, sweetheart And I’irls’ trip"

Lauren placed her hands over mine as she closed her eyes "Colt, I love you soin a fantasy"

Clearing his throat, Scott walked to us Taking a step back, I broke the contact between Lauren and I Placing his hand on ood, son Now don’t keep her out too late They’re leaving early in themy head, I said, "No, sir, I won’t keep her out late"

Glancing back to Lauren, Scott leaned down and kissed her on the cheek "Enjoy your evening, baby girl"

Sniffling, Lauren whispered, "Thank you, Daddy"

Reaching for Lauren’s hand I led her over to the table Pulling out her chair, I waited for her to sit down and then pushed her chair in Making my way over to my chair I couldn’t help but notice Lauren’s face She wore thethis very ether, she took her napkin and placed it onto her lap "That Grace would call you an overly ro those linesif she saw this"

Laughing, I nodded in agreement "Yeah she probably would"

"Colt, I love this soyou and--" Wiping a tear away she continued "Well, you just do so like this and make oing tofor her hand, I moved my thumb across her delicate skin My heart felt as if it was about to burst "I’ to have sodown, she whispered, "I hope so, cause right now, I don’t want to leave you"

Squeezing her hand, Lauren looked at ht planned for us I proo on your trip will be there" Nodding, Lauren gaveand I promised your daddy I wouldn’t keep you out late!"

Giggling, Lauren picked up her salad fork and went to town It didn’t take Lauren long to figure out that I had the food catered fro, Pasta Bella The second they placed the arlic mushroom and alfredo sauce down in front of her she snapped her head up at aped open in surprise "Pasta Bella?"

Winking, I motioned for her to eat "I knoa bite, Lauren rolled her eyes and let out a ets better every single time How did you do this?"

"I have , Lauren shoved a hefty bite into her irl’s trip I was scared shitless and I know Luke and Will were also, but we couldn’t treat theroo back in her chair, Lauren looked full and happy "You feel like going on an surprise adventure?"

Watching her eyes light up, she leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand and asked, "What kind of adventure?"

"It wouldn’t really be a surprise if I told you what kind of adventure it was, noould it"

"Mo the surprise part of it"

Laughing, I stood and held outstarted"

Taking my hand, Lauren and I walked to the truck "Oh wait, Colt what about all that stuff in the barn Don’t we need to help the ot it all taken care of" I’d worked the teekends we’d been back ho hay for one of h I bustedand loading the hay I used to pay for this evening’s meal