As she headed back toward the ceremony area, I glanced at my watch one more time. The wedding was being held outside on Nelson Ranch property, under a white canopy decorated with twisting vines and wildflowers. It was beautiful, elegant without being pretentious, and full of cheerful voices. It was exactly what Cole and Jesse deserved.
I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself for walking in alone. I could do this. I’d faced my father’s wrath to be here. I’m sure I could handle sitting through a ceremony without Connor beside me.
“Sorry I’m late.”
The deep voice behind me sent a jolt through my system. I spun around and there he was, Connor Martin, looking nothing like the ranch hand I’d come to know over the past two months.
He wore a crisp white button-down shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders, tucked into dark jeans that were clearly new. His hair was neatly combed, and he’d trimmed his stubble into something that could almost pass for fashionable. I’d never seen him look so... put together.
“You came,” I said, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.
Connor’s eyes met mine, dark and steady. “I said I would.”
Those simple words hit me harder than I expected.I said I would. As if keeping his promise was the most natural thing in the world.
“You look...” I trailed off, taking him in again. “Different.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips. “Good different or bad different?”
“Good,” I said quickly. “Definitely good. Did you buy clothes for me?”
“I bought clothes for the occasion,” he corrected. “But I’m glad you like them.”
“You didn’t have to do that… you guys hardly get paid shit as it is… I can give you some money for them.”
Connor stepped forward, grabbing my chin between his thumb and index finger. “You look nice too.”
The firm hold on my chin was enough to tell me I didn’t need to worry about his clothes or his money. But the tremble in his hand told me that he was barely managing to hold himself back. “Thanks.”
“We should head in.”
I realized I was leaning in and forced myself to back away. “Right. Yes.”
Connor let me go and gestured for me to lead the way. I felt his reassuring presence behind me as we walked toward the rows of white chairs. Evelyn caught my eye and smiled knowingly when she saw Connor following me. She patted the empty seats beside her.
We settled into our chairs, Connor’s solid warmth next to me. I was acutely aware of every inch where our arms almost touched, of the faint scent of soap and aftershave that clung to him. He’d made an effort, and something about that made my chest tighten.
“Thank you,” I whispered as the music began. “For keeping your promise.”
Connor nodded. “I mean what I say.”
“Most people don’t,” I muttered in reply.
Connor’s eyes never left the front of the aisle, but I felt his leg press against mine ever so slightly.
The simple gesture grounded me in a way I couldn’t explain. Here was a man who had every reason to avoid complications,yet he’d shown up, anyway. For me. I fought the urge to lean into him, to chase that solid reassurance.
The music swelled, and everyone turned to watch as Cole and Jesse walked down the aisle together. They both wore matching suits with wildflower boutonnieres, their faces alight with a happiness so pure it was almost painful to witness. I’d known Cole for years. He’d always been kind to me, even when my father was at his worst. Jesse was a relatively new edition, but he was easy to like.
“They look happy,” Connor murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
“They are,” I whispered back. “Took them long enough to figure it out, though.”
As the ceremony began, I couldn’t help stealing glances at Connor. His profile was strong in the afternoon light, his expression thoughtful as he watched the proceedings. What was he thinking? Did he see himself ever having something like this? Did I?
The officiant spoke about love finding its way despite obstacles, about the courage it takes to be true to yourself. Each word seemed to hang in the air between Connor and me, charged with meaning neither of us was ready to acknowledge.
When Cole and Jesse exchanged vows, Connor’s hand brushed against mine on the armrest. It might have been accidental, but when I didn’t pull away, his pinky finger hooked over mine. We werebarelytouching, and yet it was the most intimate connection I’d felt in years.
