"So, I know it was a couple months ago when we talked about it, but I have been thinkin' about it almost every day since then." Clay couldn't contain his smile any longer. He was overly excited to show Misty her surprise. 

         "I don't know what you are talkin' about, love." Misty chuckled in response, rubbing a thumb over the back of Clay's hand. 

         "When we had our heart to heart conversation a while ago...I asked you what you wanted most in life, and you said that you wanted to start your own Mustang rescue ranch. That really struck a chord with me, and I want to help you fulfill that dream, so practically every day since then, I have been checking online for ranches for sale in this area, and..." Clay flipped on his turn signal, turning right down a gravel driveway. "This ranch always kept coming up. It doesn't look like much, I know, but the realtors are practically giving it away, and I thought it left more than enough room for expansion, and you could make it entirely yours, however you want it." 

            Misty didn't reply as Clay crept the truck down the long, bumpy driveway. No words could be formed as Misty stared around the property. Endless green acres surrounded the truck. A long line of fences blocked off the ranch from the road. On the left side of the driveway was a decent sized ranch style home. Weeds and grass had began growing so tall, you could hardly see the window sills. A large picture window looked out of the brown brick and siding house, facing the driveway. A two car garage was attached to the house, with the doors looking like those of a barn. 

           At the thought of barns, Misty looked back out of the front dashboard, seeing a couple of old, dilapidated barns. Some would have to be torn down, but the wood and other materials might still be salvageable.

          Based on the tall grass and weeds, Misty had reckoned that the ranch had been abandoned for a while, but she was in love with the character it brought. Her mind began racing with ideas on how to bring it back to it's former glory. 

         Stopping his truck behind the house, in front of a large storage barn, Clay looked at Misty. Seeing her sitting there, staring at the barn, her teeth biting her bottom lip as she slightly shook her head, Clay chuckled, lifting Misty's hand to his lips. "What's wrong, darlin'?" He asked, trying to get her to look at him since he couldn't tell if she was happy, or upset. "Well, you can get out and go look around, if you want." Still no response. Now he was really getting worried. 

         Like a rubber band being pulled back, and then let go, something inside of Misty snapped. "I don't need to get out and look around. I love it." She smiled, scrambling across the seat to sit on Clay's lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Misty dropped a kiss on his cheek. "I've been looking at ranches for years, and this is the first time I have ever felt this way about a place. This is it. I feel it in my heart. I want to buy this ranch." Looking deep in his eyes, Misty smiled. "Thank you so much, Clay." 

           When Misty leaned forward, connecting her lips with his, Clay smiled, wrapping his arms around her slim waist, kissing her lips again. He didn't get to kiss her that often anymore, so he had to take advantage of the moment she presented. After the third kiss, Clay rested his forehead against her, a teasing grin on his lips. "So, I take it you're not mad at me anymore?" He chuckled, leaning in to kiss Misty again, but instead he received a slug on the chest, followed by her opening the driver's side door, sliding off Clay's lap, and out of the truck, much to Clay's protest.

           Turning back to the cab, Misty reached inside, grabbing Clay's arm, and pulling him down to her. "Come on. Let's go explore." A wild look in her eyes matched the smile on her lips. 

            As they walked around the property, hand in hand, Clay explained to Misty that he had already talked to the realtor, having got information on the property. While explaining that to Misty, he began to realize what a huge project the ranch would be as he began making a mental checklist of everything that needed done. Just thinking about it was making Clay stressed. The entire property was a massive fixer upper.

           Taking off his cowboy hat, scratching his forehead with the brim before settling it back on his head, Clay let out a sigh as he looked around. "It's fixin' to be a lot of work, I know, but with your creative mind, I know you can make it amazing. But I just feel bad because it looks so much worse in person than it does in the pictures." He continued on in his list of problems, but Misty stopped him by standing on her tip toes, shutting him up with a kiss. "What was that for?" Clay asked, a blush rising on his cheeks as he smiled down at Misty, thanking her for the unexpected kiss. 

           "I love you. And the ranch is absolutely perfect. It gives me a clean slate to make it however I want, and that's what I love most about it. I still can't believe you did this for me." Misty, still facing her boyfriend, grabbed both of his hands in hers, smiling at him. "Will you go with me to talk to the realtor? I want to buy this place so bad." 

             "I would do anything for you, darlin'." Clay smiled, his eyes full of love. 

              Letting out a chuckle, Misty closed the gap between them, wrapping her arms around Clay's strong middle, thanking God for him, and for everything he has done for her. She was truly blessed, she realized, as she stared out at the endless scenery that would soon be pastures full of horses. A smile graced her lips as she remembered everything that she had to be thankful for.