“Yes, it does,” she admitted. “I don’t think I’ll ever see a poppy the same way again.”
“Neither will I.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, helping her over a fallen branch as they resumed their trek.
When they reached the other side of the meadow, they entered another cluster of trees. The trail narrowed, leading beneath a wooden archway with the words Monarch Butterfly Reserve engraved on a rustic sign. Two by two, they ducked below the wild roses dripping from the rough-hewn beams and entered another world. In the shade of towering sequoias and sugar pines, hundreds of monarch butterflies performed a mesmerizing dance. Their brightly hued wings in varying shades of honey, marigold, and tangerine mingled with the vibrant poppies, as if the petals themselves had taken flight.
Although Cassie had witnessed the stunning sight before, it never ceased to steal her breath, as if it became more captivating each time. And this year, she admired the tableau with added appreciation. She’d learned from Frank’s book,The Mariposa Method, that a butterfly—ormariposain Spanish—symbolized rebirth. In so many ways, that’s exactly how she felt. Like everything had changed.
As she watched the butterflies flit and flutter, finally free from their chrysalides, they gave her hope that the next chapter of her life could be just as beautiful.
They strolled silently through the reserve, peacefully reflecting as they carefully kept to the trail, until they reached a twin archway on the other side. The end of the path spilled into a second meadow with picnic tables and a simple outhouse maintained by a team of volunteer conservationists.
As the tables filled with townspeople, blankets were spread on the ground and baskets and coolers were unpacked. Bill Tucker pulled out his penny whistle, and the light, lyrical sound accompanied the songbirds. The entire vignette couldn’t have been more perfect.
Cassie glanced over her shoulder as the last couple exited the reserve. Reed and Olivia paused under the archway, holding hands while they enjoyed one last glimpse of paradise. In her white eyelet sundress, framed by fragrant wild roses, Olivia could be the cover model for Bohemian Bride.
The same moment an audacious, completely outlandish idea struck her, Olivia caught her eye. A look passed between them, and without a word, Cassie knew an identical thought had crossed Olivia’s mind.
Olivia’s gaze bore through her, questioning, as if searching for a sign of encouragement. Cassie’s giddy grin must have given her friend all the confidence she needed, because Olivia turned to Reed and blurted, “Would you like to get married?”
“Yes, I would. I thought the ring made that clear,” he teased, rubbing her engagement ring with his thumb.
“No, I mean, would you like to get married right now?”
Reed blinked in surprise. “I—I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking.”
“I know this sounds rash,” Olivia said in a rushed breath. “I know we already have a wedding planned for the fall. But something has felt… off. I couldn’t put my finger on it until just now. This—” She swept her gaze over the idyllic setting and their friends and family gathered in one place. “Thisis us. And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to marry you right here, right now.”
Reed recovered from his shock, chuckling softly. “Liv, I’ve wanted to marry you since the day you moved next door. If you want to move up the wedding date, you don’t have to ask me twice.”
With a cheer of delight, Olivia threw her arms around him, kissing her soon-to-be-husband with so much fervor, they almost toppled over.
“Easy, you two,” Cassie said with a laugh. “Save it for the ceremony.”
In under thirty minutes, Cassie had gathered a wildflower bouquet, recruited Pastor Bellman as the officiant—with the agreement they’d procure the official wedding license soon—and organized a few special ceremony details for the couple while they announced their impromptu decision to their friends and family. The air buzzed with excitement as picnic tables and blankets were rearranged and everyone took their seats.
In her smoky alto, Kat sang an enchanting, pared-down version of “La Vie en Rose” in lieu of the classic wedding march, accompanied by Bill Tucker on his penny whistle. As Olivia floated down the makeshift aisle, Cassie grabbed Luke’s hand, moved beyond words. The gentle breeze lifted the strands of Olivia’s long onyx hair and ruffled the hem of her dress, giving her an otherworldly allure. Barefoot and wearing a crown woven from lavender and yarrow, she resembled a striking wood nymph, almost too exquisite to be real.
Cassie stole a glance at Reed waiting beneath the archway with Pastor Bellman, and her heart swelled at the blend of pure, unbridled love and awestruck wonder in his dark, shimmering eyes. He dabbed at the corners with the sleeve of his pale blue button-down before straightening, holding Olivia’s gaze as she closed the gap between them.
Pastor Bellman gave a brief but profound message on love and marriage before asking the couple to share their vows—their unscripted, spontaneous vows from the heart.
“Reed Hollis,” Olivia said with a catch in her voice. “You were my first true friend. Someone who made me feel comfortable being myself, with every quirk and imperfection. In a season when other kids and their unkind words tore me down, you made me feel invincible. You made the whole world seem safer and more magical, like every good thing was at my fingertips.” Her words faltered, and Reed tightened his grip, sharing a reassuring smile meant only for her.
Visibly bolstered by his touch, she continued with a shaky breath. “At the lowest point in my life, you came back into it, like an act of God’s grace. You helped me see that my worth isn’t defined by others, that there’s hope in the midst of heartache, and that faith can move mountains.” A tear tumbled down her cheek, but she let it fall, clinging tightly to Reed’s hands. “From this day forward, I vow to be your helpmate. To encourage, support, and embolden your endeavors as much as you have mine. I promise to be a faithful wife and to never, ever stop being your friend.”
Cassie wiped a tear from her eye as Reed cleared his throat, struggling to steady his emotions enough to speak.
“Liv—” His voice cracked and he cleared his throat again. “I used to pray so hard for this moment. Then, when the day came that my dream ended, and I lost you to another man, my prayers changed. I prayed he would love and cherish you and give you a life filled with laughter and treasured moments. Now…” He paused, collecting his composure. “Now, I say those same prayers every night, except this time, they’re for me. Liv, you’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known. And I vow to spend the rest of my life showing you just how special you are.”
Cassie sniffled as they exchanged temporary rings made from braided blades of grass, overwhelmed by happiness—and possibly a surge of pregnancy hormones.
She tilted her chin, affectionately regarding the man who’d not only become her husband, but her best friend and father of their child. When they met a few years ago, she couldn’t even fathom where they’d find themselves today. The next two, ten, and twenty-plus years awaited them with an equal amount of uncertainty, but she no longer feared what lay ahead or behind.
She glanced at the familiar faces around her. Frank and Beverly, a love story unlike any other that inspired her endlessly. Eliza and Grant, a sweet testament to second chances born from the healing power of love and forgiveness. Penny and Colt, an unexpected but unshakable couple who truly brought out the best in each other. Kat and Jack, a pair of generous and compassionate hearts that grew exponentially when melded together. Olivia and Reed, two childhood friends, reunited after years apart, who found love, redemption, and renewed purpose in one another’s arms. Lucy and Vick, so different yet so perfectly suited, like puzzle pieces, balancing and complementing each other to create a more beautiful picture. Sadie and Landon, once enemies who learned to let go of their assumptions to not only find love, but a teammate in all aspects of life. Maggie, Dolores, Bill and Irene, and now her mother and Rhett, two wounded hearts, mended by an outpouring of grace, empathy, and humble bravery.
So many people who had impacted her life in innumerable ways. And it was thanks to each one of them—the family of her heart who loved one another faithfully—that she could look toward the future with hope, courage, and a smile that reached all the way to her soul.
CHAPTER34
