Hunter cleared his throat, looking like he might cry too. “Amy?”
Amy sniffed.
Nash thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world in this moment.
“This wasn’t planned but if we’re talking about bargains with God, I guess I made my own.” More tears spilled down her face. “My mother told me to find miracles in everyday life. Well, I told God that if I ever got out of that and back to you, that I would do my best to never forget that God gave me that miracle and that I would always try to put Him first. Always.” She sniffed again. “And I want to put you first as well. I want us to have the kind of relationship where God is the center and we have unstoppable faith through all of our trials. Because, I will know that our life, together, is a miracle every day.”
Nash sniffed, emotion stuck in the back of his throat. “Yes, our life together is a miracle.”
Many people in the crowd muttered some type of ‘amens.’
Amy smiled at him. “I love you and I vow to be the best wife I can be. Always.”
Nash wanted to kiss her so badly, but he waited.
Hunter looked between them and wiped his own tears. “Well, those were just the best vows. I don’t know what else to say.”
“The kissing part,” Nash reminded him.
Everyone laughed.
“Right.” Hunter grinned at the crowd.
“I now give you, Mrs. and Mr. Nash Cross.”
The crowd clapped.
“You may kiss your bride.”
Nash grunted and pulled her to him. “It’s about time.”
Everyone laughed again.
He dipped her dramatically and she laughed.
Then he kissed her and time stood still.
It was just them. The past. The present. The future, all rolled into this precious moment.
When he righted her, the combined cheers of the Cross and Stone families could probably be heard three counties away.
The reception that followed was exactly what Nash had dreamed of—informal but elegant, filled with laughter and dancing and the kind of joy that came from people who had fought together and won. Tables were scattered across the ranch yard under those twinkling lights, and the food was a perfect combination of Sadie’s down-home cooking and Ava’s sophisticated touches.
Nash danced with his wife—his wife!—to their first song while both families watched with expressions of pure happiness. Then he danced with Cheyenne, who cried through the entire song. He danced with Sadie, who told him how proud she was of the man he’d become. He even danced with Ava, who whispered that Amy was perfect for him and she’d never seen him so happy.
But it was when he was dancing with Amy again, the party in full swing around them, that Marshall appeared at his elbow. “Helicopter’s ready when you are,” Marshall said with a grin. “Flight to Billings is all set, and your connection to Hawaii leaves on schedule.”
Nash looked down at Amy, who was practically glowing with happiness in his arms. “Ready to start our honeymoon, Mrs. Cross?”
“I’ve been ready for eight years, Mr. Cross,” she replied, stretching up to kiss him amid the cheers of their families.
The farewell was a whirlwind of hugs and well-wishes, rice and flower petals, and promises to call when they reached Hawaii. Nash helped Amy into the helicopter, her dress carefully arranged to avoid the rotors, and settled beside her as Marshall performed his final pre-flight checks.
As the helicopter lifted off, Nash looked down at the ranch that had been the site of so much drama, so much danger, and ultimately so much joy. The white lights still twinkled below them, the families still gathered in celebration, and the gazebo was still decorated with flowers and dreams come true.
Porter’s voice crackled through the headset as they gained altitude: “Have a wonderful honeymoon, you two. We’ll see you when you get back.”
But it was Porter’s next words, spoken to the assembled families below, that made both Nash and Amy laugh until tears streamed down their cheeks: “Well, Stone and Cross families—no more treasure hunts!”
