A snort escapes me. “Except I didn’t grow up on a potato farm in Idaho, Mom.”
“No, but you’re both from big families. You had this ranch every Summer. You’re both ambitious and givin’ and thoughtful. She’s beautiful too.” She’s not wrong, about any of it. “Have you told her about… you know…”
“She’s processin’,” Case replies. “Sutton’s givin’ her space.”
“Oh no. That lovely woman doesn’t need space, son. She needs reassurance and security. She needs to know that while she’s wrappin’ her head around this big ol’ soulmate bombshell, you’re still goin’ to be there.”
“I told her that, Mom. I’m not goin’ anywhere,” I say, meaning those words now more than ever. “She’s it for me. She’s been that since I first laid eyes on her at college and didn’t even know her name. I just didn’t know what it meant back then.”
Mom’s glassy gaze roams over my face as a soft smile curves her lips. “There’s my boy. I knew that once you found your soulmate, you’d be all in with her.”
“I am,” I say, stronger this time, believing it to the depths of my soul. “She still has a lot of thinking to do though. She didn’tmovehere to live, Mom. She has her life to go back to.”
She stares at me intently. "Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.”
“Rosevelt?” I reply.
“Yep.” She reaches up and musses my hair. “Don’t go into this thinkin’ that it won’t all work out. The mountain has never got it wrong. And I can guarantee you right now, son, she’s not about to start with you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She switches her last-minute hair adjustments to Case who just laughs at her. “Now, I’ve already given Will my speech and now it’s time for yours.”
Case puffs out his chest. “OK, hit me with it.”
“It’s pretty straightforward. I just want to say that I’msoproud of the man,” she looks over at me, “themenyou’ve both become and the women you’ve chosen to call your own.” She lifts her hands to cradle Case’s jaw. “Enjoy today, commit every single moment of it to memory–every word, every kiss, dance, all of it. This is your rewardandhers. Love each other fiercely, never go to bed still in a fight–unless it’s the good kind–and know that from this moment forward, everything you do is with andforone another. OK?”
Case nods and I’m filled with hope that one day in the future, I’m the one standing here getting the same Mom speech onmywedding day.”
As long as it takes
I stand next to Case in front of our family and friends, my palms feeling clammy and my heart trying to do its own impression of the Kentucky Derby in my chest. I look over to where Blair’s sitting next to my parents in the front row. She looks absolutely breathtaking in her floral sundress and straw hat, her tanned legs looking like they go on for miles. I’m finding it hard to look away from her and focus on my job as Case’s best man.
The moment her eyes lock with mine, they soften, her gentle gaze instantly washing away any bad thoughts I might have. I search for any sign of how she’s feeling–or what she’s thinking–but because her smile is warm and her body language relaxed, I can’t really tell anything.
She doesn’t look away though, not until she drags her gaze down my body and back up again. That’s when I see her lips curve up on one side as the warmth turns to blazing heat.
“Hi,” I mouth.
“Hi,” she mouths back.
It’s then I know my heart is hers and I’ll give everything I’ve got until I know hers is mine too.
The soft sounds of Pachelbel’s Canon in D major fill the air and everyone stands, breaking the moment.
All eyes turn to the front of the ranch house Case’s bride to be is being led toward the makeshift aisle by her mom, Jessica.
Isla’s wearing a white wedding dress that hugs her body until her hips then falls down to the ground. Her brown hair is gathered into a loose bun with a few strands framing her cheeks with her sheer white veil sweeping over top. There’s no missing the huge smile on her face or the fact she only has eyes for my twin.
Birdie and Pete follow behind. Birdie wears a beautifully simple white sun dress made from a floaty material that catches in the light breeze as she walks. Her blonde hair is gathered overone shoulder in a sea of soft curls with a flower crown on top of her head.
“Damn,” Case whispers, totally besotted.
“Damn ain’t enough of a word,” Will growls for our ears only, making me smile.
I close my eyes for just a moment and say a silent thanks to Gramps. He’d love that two of his grandsons are going to pledge their love, lives and everything they have to their soulmates. Even more so that they’re doing it on the mountain he gave to us.
Once the brides are delivered to each of their grooms, Jessica and Pete both move to stand in front of their respective couples.
