“Come here for a minute,” Wyatt said, taking my hand and leading me over to a bench swing that was sitting in a white gazebo.
I followed without hesitation.
He helped me sit on the swing and then turned to me with tears in his eyes.
“What’s wrong, Wyatt?” I asked, almost afraid of his response.
“Nothing, baby, I wanted a quiet moment with you before we go dance and eat. I wanted to touch your face, and kiss you without eyes looking at us. You are my wife, after all.”
“Yes, I am.” I smiled and kissed him instead.
“Please don't ever let me wake from this dream.”
“This isn't a dream, Wyatt…this was meant to be. It was planned perfectly.”
Wyatt pulled me up from the swing, and held me next to him close. He lightly swayed as if he as hearing a tune in his head.
“What are we dancing too?” I ask curious.
“Nothing, I am just thanking God for the blessing he sent me.”
He wore a smile that spread across his gorgeous face.
“I’ve been thanking him every day since we met," I responded.
After a few moments to ourselves, we walked hand and hand to the massive white tent, decorated with white flowers, and greeted the people who had been waiting on us.
“We were wondering where you two love birds ran off to,” Wyatt’s mom, Virginia, said smiling.
“It is not what you think, Mother. I wanted…” Wyatt started to explain then stopped.
“I’m just giving you a hard time, sweetie.”
“Food will be served as soon as you sit and then we can have some fun.”
“Okay.” I paused. “Thank you again for organizing all this for us. I will forever be thankful.”
She kissed my cheek. “I will forever be grateful for you loving my son. It is worth every penny.”
“I just wish his dad would have made an…”
“Don’t waste energy on that man. This is your day, don't worry about who didn't want to be a part of it.”
“You are right,” I said.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cash walking up in a suit with a look of uncertainty. I looked to the left at where I had seen Emma standing a few minutes ago.
Wyatt’s face had gone from happiness and elation to frustration and anger.
“I’ll take care of this,” he said, determined.
Then Virginia replied, “Give him a chance before you fight with him…just maybe he isn't going to be his normal self.”
“I doubt that,” Wyatt muttered.
Cash stood in front of us and Wyatt gripped my hand tighter. His legs took a stance like he was ready for anything, all the while keeping me by his side.
Cash put out his hand to shake Wyatt’s.
“Wyatt, I’m sorry about everything.”
Wyatt took his hand and shook it, still holding mine with his other.
“I’m not going to say it is okay, because it’s not, but I’m glad you showed up. It means a lot.”
After dropping his handshake, Cash leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered to me, as Wyatt watched him closely.
“Cash, this will be the one and only time you will touch my wife.” Wyatt's voice was stern and protective and Cash seemed to get the message loud and clear.
He held his hand up as a shield and moved back away from me, not giving me or Wyatt a second glance.
I smiled nicely just wanting him to get away from me, but not making a scene at our wedding.
My new mother-in-law must have sensed the tension and hugged him, taking his attention off of us.
“That was nice of you, Cash.”
“Well, your only brother gets married once, right?”
I pulled Wyatt close. “I love you, my husband.”
He sealed that with a kiss.
I was completely smitten with Wyatt and had not a doubt in my mind his lips would be the ones I would kissing the rest of my life.
He was worth the wait.
The food was perfect and the toasts even better. Looking around all our family and friends, a small crowd of thirty couldn't have been more perfectly orchestrated. But I was past ready getting to dance with my husband.
As I was getting ready to stand, with Wyatt holding my hand, Grammy stood up and tapped on her glass.
“I have one thing to say, if y'all will humor me,” she said sweetly.
We sat back down.
“I have watched my beautiful granddaughter grow from an infant to an amazing young woman. I could not be prouder of who she has become. I only wish Rhonda could be here to see this…” She paused and I looked over at Wyatt and put my hand on his. “I know she would be smiling from ear to ear. Anyway, I’ll stop my rumbling. I’d like to bless this evening so if everyone can bow their heads.
“Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this union. Thank you for the beautiful people and food that was from your bounty. Thank you for bringing Rhonda and I together that one day after Bible study, discussing the most important people in our lives. And thank you for helping to bring them together. Although us old ladies helped orchestrate it, you deserve the glory, after all it had to be your will to follow it through.”
I looked over at Grammy with a smile and then at Wyatt, who was also smiling on the verge of shock and then laughed.
“Amen.”
She sat back down and my new mother-in-law laughed as she hugged Grammy.
“This news to you?” I asked my husband.
“No, Rhonda knew what she was doing.”
“To think of it, so much makes sense now.”
Then he kissed me. With that I stood, did a small wave to the singer of the band we had hired, and they announced that the bride and groom and would be taking the dance floor for their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt Galloway.
He looked ever so handsome in his dress jacket, more than likely one of the only times I would see him in one.
Wyatt kissed my hand on top of my wedding ring, which I knew would be in place until
