Chapter 13
Friday night,Tegan slept over in Grace’s cabin, so the mother-of-the-bride didn’t get any late-night laughs with her secret boyfriend. It was a worthwhile sacrifice to cuddle with her daughter one last time before her baby got married.
The next morning, they did yoga at dawn, then got pampered by a crew of people who came in from Briarsted.
By the time the photographer arrived to document their progression to the ceremony site in the woods, Grace was super emotional.
“I’m not going to cry,” she said bravely.
“Mom, your cheeks are already wet,” Tegan whispered, leaning in to kiss one of the tear-streaked patches.
“Damn it.” Grace dragged in a breath. “I told myself I wasn’t going to do this. And here I am, and it’s just…you’re so beautiful, baby.”
She really was. Tegan had picked a lightweight wedding dress that moved like the wind as she followed the photographer’s instructions. First, they stood together at Grace’s cabin on the porch, mother and daughter smiling brightly to stave off threatening tears. Tegan’s hand found Grace’s and squeezed tight. Then they moved toward the path leading into the woods where the ceremony would take place. The photographer had Tegan stop in a sun-spot, where the golden streams of light made her glow.
Her floral crown, which replaced a more traditional veil, and Grace’s daughter looked every inch a truly-in-love woodland nymph.
Then Tegan’s dad appeared at the top of the path. She ran to him, and Grace let them have their moment, their set of photos together before she caught up.
When she fell into step on Tegan’s right, Charles looked over at her and smiled. She was shocked to see his eyes were wet. For all that she didn’t understand this man, they shared an elemental emotion today. Their baby, who had grown up a long time ago, was now starting her own family. They were officially done being her immediate, primary unit.
They had never been a conventional family, not even before the divorce. Charles had always worked in the city and they’d only ever had a piece of him. Once she’d moved upstate it had become official. He’d taken Tegan on holidays and paid for her to come to Camp Firefly Falls.
Two decades later, this place was changing Grace’s life in the most unexpected way.
She smiled back at her ex. “Ready?” she asked Tegan. “I think your groom is waiting for you.”
Tegan took a deep breath and linked her arms with both of her parents. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
Frank stoodnext to Wyatt’s parents. They were good, honest folks. Farmers from Wisconsin who hadn’t been enthusiastic about their son’s choice to join the navy, but today they couldn’t look prouder. Elaine’s eyes were bright with tears, even as she beamed, and Brian kept giving Wyatt a thumbs-up.
The wedding would happen in the center of a circle of people. Right now, there was a gap at the trail head, where Tegan and her parents would appear momentarily. Her two bridesmaids, Molly and Priya, were waiting on either side of the space, ready to close the circle tight once the bride arrived.
A speaker lodged in the crook of a tree played a simple instrumental piece. Flute music which fit the setting perfectly.
In Frank’s experience, SEALs tended to go in one direction or another when it came to getting married. Dress uniforms all the way—like he had done thirty-three years earlier—or not a single military reference anywhere to be seen. Henderson had gone that route, and it seemed to suit the couple. It also suited the setting.
All the men were in suit jackets, although not all wore ties. The groom and his two best men were in khaki. So was his father. Frank had gone with a navy-blue suit himself—and the tie was tight, as it should be.
He’d been touched when Elaine Henderson gave him a flower for his label that matched her husband’s. “You’ve been like a father to our son for more than a decade,” she’d said. “When we weren’t sure what he needed, you led the way. We’ll always be grateful for that.”
Now she let out a small gasp, and Frank followed her attention to the trail. The first thing he saw was Grace, and for a beat, she was all hecouldsee. She was breathtaking. Her blonde waves were pinned up and back, with delicate flowers tucked into her hair. They matched the ones on his jacket, and his chest pulled tight.
Then he turned his gaze to her daughter. Tegan Bennett had always impressed him. Smart, lovely, and kind. Today was no different. She shone as a bride, with flowers in her hair and a beaming smile that completed the gorgeous presentation.
One day, she would look just like her mother. Wyatt was a lucky man.
Heather Tully stepped forward. “As a newly licensed marriage officiant, I am thrilled to guide Tegan and Wyatt through their commitment ceremony today. Two years ago, this couple met here at camp, and as they have moved toward this moment, they have thought long and hard about what it means to marry each other. For that reason, they have chosen to write their own vows. Please join hands and give them your heart-felt energy as they commit themselves to each other in blessed matrimony.”
Frank took Elaine’s hand on one side, and Grady Mills’ on the other.
In the center of the circle, a tough-as-nails Navy SEAL took hands with a hippie girl and his voice cracked as he started to recite vows he’d clearly memorized. “I, Wyatt, take you, Tegan, to be my wife. I promise to stand by your side through life’s ups and downs. Through tough times and joyous ones, too. I will celebrate all of your successes, support you in everything that you do, and never let go of your hand when things get hard. I will be your mate. You have my heart.”
“I will protect it,” Tegan whispered back, but the words still carried through the clearing. “With everything I have. And you have mine.”
“I will protect it,” Wyatt said gruffly. “With everything I have.”
