"Close your eyes." Dan instructs.

"Okay, but you know there isn't a view that I haven't seen on this ranch." Tylee answers with a shrug.

"I know." She can hear the smile that is no doubt on his face.

When he finally declares she can open her eyes she is extremely anxious to see what he is up to. Her eyes pop open. A hundred different emotions stampede at her as the snow covered pine she knows so well enters her sight. Before her mind can register what is happening she throws herself at the unexpecting Dan.  He wraps his arms around her with a smile.

"How did you know it was special?" She whispers into his coat collar.

"I just had a feeling." He tells her. She lifts her head to gaze into his eyes. His sky blue eyes that, in that moment, captured her heart. He takes her hand and helps her to the ground. They walk to the tree hand in hand. She doesn't want him to take his hand from hers.

Tylee runs her fingers over the carvings in the trunk.

'Don't ever stop being my Ty man

                    ~ Papaw (Ben Jackson)'

She could remember Papaw craving the words with his knife like it was yesterday. It was after he had gotten out of the hospital from his broken hip. Everyone knew that the injury ended his front seat ranching career... And that Tylee would be taking it over full time, no help.

"I can tell he thought a lot of you." Dan's voice is soft pulling her from the memory.

"How come do you say that?" She questions turning to meet his caring gaze.

"Because he wanted everyone to know how much you meant to him." He tells her. She smiles and gazes at the tree trunk.

"I guess so."

"He loved you more than the air he breathed, Fawn." Dan tries out the new pet name he had thought of.

"He would have loved you like a son, Teddy Bear." She smiles up at him waiting for his reaction to her pet name for him.

"You really think so?" He knew that it was a compliment. She thought the world of her Papaw and he could tell that he was a man worth looking up to.

"Yeah, he would." She lays her head on his shoulder with her arms wrapped around his torso, as are his on her. With a smile he kisses the top of her head. "I like the name."

"It took me a little while to think of the right one. I like mine, too."

"I'm glad." She whispers. The speed of snowfall increases urging them to turn back to the house. Once at the barn Tylee shows Dan how to unharness. After the harnesses where off and Perk and Glory were brushed off the couple turn them out.

'Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with the most amazing man.' She prays with a thankful smile.

"Lets go to the house, we can unload later." She voices with a smile.

"I can agree with that." He smiles at her and intertwines his fingers in hers. She glances at their hands then back to his eyes a smile spreading across her lips. They make their way to Tylee's house with Daisy trotting behind them. While Dan tends to the fire place Tylee starts a pot of coffee.

"You know I have been working here for a while and Becca still doesn't know." Dan comments as they sit on the couch mugs in hand.

"That's amazing." Tylee mutters staring into the fire. He chuckles at her comments and wraps his arm around her.

As dusk threatens to take over Dan and Tylee feed the horses and chop their water. By the time evening barn chores are done snow is still falling rapidly making it darker than normal. As the two walk back to the house holding hands Tylee mentally protests him driving back to the bunk house in the blowing snow.

"See you in the morning, Fawn." Dan tells her with a sigh as they stand on her front porch.

"Do you have to drive home, Teddy Bear? It's dark and blowing snow, just stay here tonight. At least it would be daylight when you were driving." She whispers.

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't." She states staring into his sky blue eyes with a slight smirk.

"You got your wish, Fawn." He tells her as he intertwines his fingers in hers. With a smile she leads him inside. "I'm cooking supper!"

"Like heck you're cooking!" She exclaims sprinting to the fridge. With a chuckle Dan follows her into the kitchen. She stands at the fridge gazing in totally unaware of what her boyfriend is up to. He sneaks up behind her place a hand on each hip and picking her up. To the large muscular man she was like a feather even with all the muscle she had from working on the ranch. As she shrieks Dan whirls her around in a circle before placing her back on her feet and spinning her around to face him.

As she stares up into the eyes of the man she has grown rather fond of Tylee feels the air leave her lungs. She didn't know what to think of the feelings she has had that clouded her mind in that moment.

"You have the most beautiful eyes." Dan whispers as his hand makes its way to the back of her neck, his thumb making small circles on her cheek. She lets her arms find their way around his neck, her eyes never looking from his. She smiles as he slides her coat off her shoulder. He takes her hat off and kisses her forehead.

"You're so sweet." She tells him.

"Not nearly as sweet as you are." He whispers. With a smile she lays her head on his shoulder and his arms wrap around her.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little bit. Cows don't share very well." He jokes making her laugh.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Do I get to cook?" He asks with a smirk.

"We already discussed this." She states.

"Actually we both said that we were cooking. We didn't discuss anything." He points out with a smile as she glares at him.

"You don't have to be so technical."

"But I enjoy being technical." Dan laughs at her glare that quickly turns into an amused smile.

"Two can play at that game, Teddy Bear." She tells him with a smirk.

"Whatever you say, Fawn." He chuckles. "I am cooking!"

"Fine! Just be sure it's edible."

"Everything I cook is edible!" He declares his arms still around her.

"Of course, but I just thought I would remind you."

"Your such a turkey!"

"I liked Fawn better." She whispers in his ear. With an amused chuckle he kisses her cheek. "I'm getting hungry."

"Then let me go so I can cook."

"I'm not restricting you." Dan laughs and kisses her temple.

"Okay give me a few minutes and I'll have something ready."

Dan makes quesadillas and they eat together at the table. While Tylee takes a shower Dan watches a random John Wayne movie.

"Shower's open Teddy Bear!" She calls from the top of the stairs.

"Okay I'll be up in a minute, I have to finish this movie." He calls from the couch.

"What movie are you watching? Without me!" She yells before racing down the stairs and jumping on the couch beside him.

"Angle and the Bad Man?! How dare you!" She exclaims. Dan chuckles and pulls her into his lap.

"You like John Wayne?"

"Of course! Angel and the Bad Man is like my all time favorite." With a smile he kisses her forehead.

"I'm slightly surprised, Fawn." He whispers in her ear as she lays her head on his shoulder. She snuggles into the crook of his neck. With his arms wrapped around her Tylee feels protected, loved and treasured.

Within minutes of curling up in his lap she is asleep. Dan smiles and kisses her forehead. When the movie is over he easily carries her up the stairs and into her room. He lays her in her bed after pulling the covers back with one hand. He kisses her forehead once more before turning the lamp off and walking out of the room. He showers, then going to the guest room he had stayed in before. The bed is soft and comfortable, inviting after a long week.

A/N
No internet for me this weekend so next update on Monday. Love you guys and can't wait to read all those great comments! 😀