Don't Tell Me

A year later at our town's annual rodeo, Matt and I were walking around before I had to go get Cash saddled up. It was fun seeing people I hadn't for almost a year. Except for the one face that I could probably go the rest of my life without seeing. She also just happened to be with Aaron.
I forgave Aaron for what he did. Took me a while, but I did. There was no sense in holding a grudge. It just took away from what I could be thinking about.
"Maggie! How are you?" Aaron's mom came up to me, pulling me in for a hug.
"I'm great, how are you?"
"Good, good. Excited for your last year of college?"
"Excited for it to be over," I laughed. Wasn't that the truth. Luckily, I was graduating a semester early. I had a job lined up with a place I had interned with a few summers ago down in Denver. My mom said I could live with her but Matt really wanted me to move in with him. "Not sure how you went for eight years."
"Hey Maggie," Aaron smiled as he walked up to the three of us, that girl following close by his side.
"Hey." Normally, Matt would step closer to me but he seemed really comfortable around Aaron. But only after I reassured him hundreds of times that I wouldn't be leaving him. Apparently professionally athletes worry about that stuff too.
We stood there talking for a while. It was great, but she was giving me dirty looks the entire time.
"What is your problem?" I turrned to her, completely sick and tired of being around her. Her lips were pressed into a fine line.
"You. You're my problem." She spat.
I nodded my head, not exactly sure what to say. "And how am I a problem?"
"Walking around like you think you're better than everyone else because you're dating an Avalanche player."
"Right. That is so me. Damn. You got me. No girl, You're the one that walks around like you're better than everyone else. You're the one that sleeps with other girls' boyfriends like it's no big deal. I cannot believe you get compared to me, because we are not alike in any way. Aaron may have cheated on me, but he deserves someone better than you." I turned to walk away, not caring to hear what her comeback would be.
"Aren't you glad that you won't have to deal with that once you're in Denver?" Matt intertwined his fingers with mine, pulling our hands up to kiss the back of mine.
"Yeah, Duchene fangirls are so much better." I rolled my eyes and opened the door to the part of the trailer where we kept the tack.
Silently, I handed Matt my saddle and grabbed the saddle pad and the bridle. I quickly ran a brush over Cash's back and set the pad on top.
"Maggie," I ignored him, "Maggie."
"What?" I snapped, turning around to face him.
He didn't say anything, just pulled me into him and connected his lips with mine. Eventually, I gave in and kissed him back. "I love you Maggie. She has nothing on you. Everyone knows that. Don't let her get in your head."
"I know.." I whispered, looking down at my mud covered boots. I really needed a new pair..
"I'm going to go find the rest of the guys, you seem like you need some alone time. I'll be back when you're done."
I went back to slowly cinching up the saddle and making sure everything was straight.
"How'd I get so lucky to find a guy as wonderful as you," I rubbed underneath his brow band and he proceeded to swing his head into me, almost knocking me off balance, "Thanks asshole."
I ended up winning the barrel racing part, but Jared and I ended up taking third for team roping. I wasn't that upset because Aaron and his partner took three seconds longer than us. I don't know why it made me so happy, but it did.
That night, I wasn't a part of the usual after rodeo entertainment. They had called me to see if I wanted to, but I just wanted to take it easy this year. Let's just say I was really excited to announce who was replacing me for the time being.
"I'm sure you're all upset that I'm not singing tonight, but I'm happy to say they got a great performer out here tonight. He's one of my favorite artists and a great person in general. Chuck Wicks, everyone."
I was really glad I was able to watch the show with Matt. We danced, had a few drinks, and sang along. I had originally planned to go back and meet Chuck after he was done, but Matt had a different plan.
"Matt, he's my favorite and I was going to get to hang out with him," I whined as he led me to the car.
"I will make it up to you, I promise."
"Yeah. Okay." I said as I climbed into his car. I didn't really believe him. I mean, whenever guys say that, they don't actually mean it. They do something little that they think will make up for everything and that's it.
He started driving towards my house, I had no idea what was going through his head other than the fact that he was white knuckling it and we weren't even going that fast. Not to mention it was perfect outside.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He quickly told me.
"Are you sure? You don't seem okay.." He seemed nervous or upset. Something was definitely off.
He turned to me and smiled, "I'm fine, babe. I swear."
When he drove past the turn to the ranch, I just went with it. I guess we weren't going to my house. Instead he took the turn to Clint's house. Okay. Not sure what we're going to do there, but alright. I mean his entire family would still be hanging out at the bar after Chuck was finished with his show..
Matt stopped in their driveway, getting out of the car. Before I could process what was going on, he opened my door, helping me out.
"Want to tell me what's going on?"
"You'll see."
He led me towards the pond. When we got close enough, I could see the twinkle lights hanging from the trees and along the dock. My boyfriend brought me down to the end, mason jars of sunflowers lined the way.
We bothe stood there, enjoying the sight around us. I didn't mind that it was silent. I preferred it actually. It was so beautiful. The flowers and trees. The big, bright moon and stars. I don't know why he put so much effort into something like this. It wasn't our anniversary or anything important.
"Maggie, I love you. You drive me up a freaking wall half the time, but I love you." I furrowed my brow, turning to him. I didn't understand why he was saying this. He turned towards me and kept going. "You are one of the best things that have happened to me. I fall for you over again every day. I mean I still feel the same way about you as I did the first night we met. I still crave you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life."
Matt got down on one knee and grabbed something out of his pocket.
Oh God.
"Margaret Benson, will you marry me?"
Oh. My. God.
I couldn't think. I mean, my answer was yes, but do you think I could get that small, three letter word out? Of course not.
"I- I- yes. Of course!" He stood up and I threw my arms around his neck. Matt distanced himself from me, taking the ring out of the little box it came in and slipped it on my finger.
It was simple, but beautiful. It had three bands braided together and a decent sized princess cut diamond.
"I love you." I told him, beaming. "This was perfect."
"I'm glad you love it."
I wasn't sure who was happier, him or me. I'm sure we both looked like idiots right about now. Not like either of us cared though.
"Let's get back to the house. I want to tell my family."
"Yeah, of course."
When we got back to the ranch, all my friends and family were there. Including all my favorite hockey players. Assuming they knew, I walked into the kitchen and held up my hand.
"I'm so happy for you!"
"Oh my gosh it's gorgeous."
"Atta boy Duchene."
Everyone had something to say, including someone I didn't expect.
"When I heard one of my biggest fans was getting engaged and I would be in town, I couldn't miss it." My jaw dropped. This was actually happening. "I wanted to help you celebrate."
Chuck grabbed his guitar and started playing 'Whole Damn Thing'. Matt pulled me into him and started dancing. It was really awkward at first. Then I started thinking about my life. I was going to marry the man I love almost as much as my horse. I had the job lined up. My family was all here for me.
Everything was falling into place.
"So did that make up for not getting to see Chuck after the show?" Matt asked as we sat on the porch swing, waiting for the sun to come up. He had this brilliant idea of pulling an all nighter. It wasn't as hard on him as it was on me. I was used to getting to sleep almost 12 hours since I graduated.
"Eh.. Kind of."
"Just kind of?"
"Yep." I smiled and sipped a little more of my coffee. "So does this mean I have to cheer for team Canada in the Olympics?"
"You don't have to.. But if you want to cheer for the gold medal winning team, you probably should." I rolled my eyes. He was so full of himself around me, but if it was anyone else he was the most humble person I've met.
"Yeah, that Crosby character is quite the player."
"On a real note, what are we going to do about the future." I really didn't like thinking about it. I mean, I didn't want to give up my dreams because I married a professional athlete.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I've wanted to take over the ranch since before I can remember. I don't know if I can do that now."
He shrugged, he obviously wasn't too worried about it. "Well, the drive to Denver isn't too horrible. And I don't think I'm getting traded anytime soon. If that's what you want to do, I'll do everything in my power to make it happen."
I never had any doubts about Matt being the right one, but that was when I knew he would be the only one.

Notes