Lifting my hands to his face, I leaned in and kissed him deeply. I loved this man, so much. He’d taken a bullet for me. He’d held me when I cried. Loved me when I was afraid to try. Didn’t give up on me one bit. He was my stronghold in these crazy seas of life. Our kiss turned deeper and a moan left my lips.
“You both make me sick with your mushy-gushy grossness. Go. Get. A. Room.” We looked over at Reagan with her scrunched up face and both cracked up laughing.
“If you got a problem with this little sister, you may want to make other living plans for the week after the wedding. We plan on being extra loud and naughty all over that house.” he said pointing to our home.
“Gross. I’ll be staying elsewhere for sure.”
He leaned his forehead against mine. “Do you want to go on a honeymoon, darlin’? I’d like to take you somewhere nice.”
My hand came up to his face, “I don’t care about that, Beau. I just care about living the best life we can together while we have it.”
Reagan and my mother had gone dress shopping with me for a weekend away last month. My mother told me that she knew the moment I started staying at the ranch that I wouldn’t ever leave. She told me she could see the way Beau looked at me and treated me right. That he was my perfect man and I wasn’t allowed to ever let him go. I could make it on my own here if I needed to, but I was glad I didn’t have to. I had people that loved me. For me.
My thoughts returned to my dress as I stood in front of the mirror in our bedroom. It was a simple short white lace gown. I’d had the big fancy dress once and look where that got me. This time I was going simple and gorgeous. Reagan had weaved a blue ribbon through my half updo. The dress was strapless, with a sweetheart neckline so I went sans bra. My boots had blue patterns stitched in them and I had picked out red panties, Beau’s favorite color, that read Bride on them.
A light tap on the door caused me to flinch. I was so lost in the moment that I hadn’t realized it was almost time to go. “Come in,” I hollered.
“We just came to check on the beautiful bride.” I turned as Faith and Reagan walked into the room behind me. “You’re something, Cass. You look amazing in this dress.”
“You don’t think it’s too simple?” I asked.
“No, it’s perfect on you and I know once Beau sees you, he’s going to freak out at how gorgeous his wife is today.”
I turned back to the mirror and fiddled with my dress. I chewed on my bottom lip and Reagan squeezed my shoulders. “Hey, don’t be nervous. That man out there has been in love with you since the first day he saw you. He’s going to love you until you die, probably holding each other’s hands. You want to wait in here any longer or are you ready to go get your man?”
I nodded, “I’m ready. Wait, how does he look?”
“Well… I won’t comment on my brother’s looks but…”
“I ain’t never seen him in a tux, but dang that man fills one out nicely,” Faith smiled shyly. “He looks real good, Cassidy Mae.”
We made our way out of the room and walked down the stairs, meeting my father at the bottom. “You ready, baby girl?”
I nodded as he walked over to me, handing me my bouquet of purple and red flowers.
“I’m so happy for you, Cassidy Mae. You look even more beautiful every time I see you.”
“You have to say that, Papa. It’s ingrained in your brain.”
“I must admit, I’m a little biased.” He chuckled and I watched one solitary tear slip from his eye.
“Don’t cry, Papa. I’ll ruin my makeup.” He wiped his eyes and smiled.
“Okay, we ready to do this?”
“Yes.”
Reagan giggled and nudged my shoulder. “Last chance. You tell me you want to run now; I’ll drive the getaway car. Beau may be my brother, but you’ll always be my best friend first.”
“I’m not running. Not anymore.”
The field had been lined with chairs, not many as it was only friends and family, but enough. Beau and I would say our vows under a canopy of red and purple flowers, a bright pop against the light blue sky. Fall was here now and the breeze felt colder. I couldn’t believe how much had changed in the eight months since I’d moved back. I never thought it would lead me here. I couldn’t picture anything better though. A breeze ran over my shoulders and I pulled my shawl tighter around me.
I came to the end of the aisle and couldn’t stop looking at my man. Faith was right. He looked perfect, the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on. I almost stumbled, but Papa caught me and smiled. He knew I was head over heels in love with this man. Beau smiled at me and I couldn’t help the tears of joy that fell down my cheeks. I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love again, but I’d fallen head over heels in love and every day I fell more and more in love with him.
When Papa placed my hand in Beau’s I was lost. Lost in this moment with him, completely consumed. Lost in all the memories that we’d had since I’d come home. I didn’t hear anything else. I felt the tender touch of his skin as he rubbed his thumb over my hands during the whole ceremony. I saw his lips when he mouthed, I love you to me. When we said our vows, I cried and when Beau said his I lost it just a little bit more. Reagan leaned over with
