Something is going on with our friends lately. Elaine has been upset and so has Lauren. Bronco just seems tired, dark circles underneath his eyes.
Bree asked Lauren what was going on but she wouldn’t say anything, and I told Bree to leave it alone until they bring the problem to her. There’s not much she can do.
She accepted my advice, but I can tell that she struggles with it. My woman has a heart bigger than all of Courage County. All she wants to do is help people and love them the way she never was, but that’s about to change because I’m in her life now.
I’m her man. I’m the one that’s going to love her forever. It’s my job to take care of her and provide for her and be her best friend. A role I’m going to relish until the end of time.
“Is Lauren doing good?” I ask, glancing in the mirror to adjust my tie. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn a tie in my life.
His features darken instantly. It’s like waking a grizzly in the middle of winter. Ill-advised and just plain stupid. “My wife is worried about her.”
That softens him, but only a little. He’s fond of Bree because she’s quickly becoming Lauren’s best friend. “Well, you can tell your wife that Lauren is fine. She’s got a cowboy looking out for her.”
I don’t ask anymore questions.
There’s a knock on the door of the locker room where we’ve been getting ready.
Elaine enters and gives us a soft smile. She’s the officiant today. She seemed pretty excited when she was asked, and Bree wanted to make her a part of the wedding. I didn’t care who was a part of the wedding as long as this day ends with Bree hitched to me forever.
“We’re ready for you outside,” Elaine says.
I follow her outside with Bronco, Max, and Rex. Cord and Flint are already there, snickering about some inside joke. They might spend their days arguing with each other, but I’ve never met two people who are more like brothers.
For our wedding, we kept the walkways from the night of the dance and the raised floor. But we added an arched trellis with white roses intertwined around it at Bree’s request.
Chairs have been set out in neat, lined rows. The paving stones have been covered in rose petals. It looks like something out of a bridal magazine, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people who went out of their way to make Bree’s day extra special.
In front of the trellis, I take my place with Elaine. Beside me are Bronco, Max and Rex. Beyond them are Cord and Flint, both of them men I’m grateful to be celebrating with.
“Never thought I’d get this,” I mutter quietly to Bronco, watching as the seats begin to fill with wedding guests from this small town that I’ve come to love so much.
He claps me on the back. “Welcome home, Marine.”
The music begins, and Laurens walks down the aisle, clutching her bouquet. I notice the way Bronco can’t take his eyes off of her. I hope someday he finally finds the strength to let down his walls and let her in. Being with Bree is changing everything for me. I’m no longer the same man.
The wedding march begins, and I see my beautiful bride blushing and smiling at the end of the aisle.
Time stops.
I can’t believe this beautiful woman agreed to be mine.
Her boot clacks with every step, but I don’t care. She’s the greatest treasure I’ve ever had the honor of holding, and I don’t plan to ever let her go.
When she gets close to the front, her boot snags. I’m there instantly to catch her and steady her. I pick her up, lifting her onto the platform.
She gazes up at me, all white lace and big smiles. “You’re always sweeping me off of my feet.”
I gaze down at her, my heart full. “I’ll always be the man that catches you.”
I set her down, and Elaine starts the vows. We repeat them, promising to love, protect, and cherish one another for all of our days. Then we’re slipping the rings onto each other’s fingers.
I press my lips against hers and seal our union with a kiss that promises our love will last forever.
Bree
I can’t believe that today I got to marry the man who stood in front of our whole town and promised to be my best friend and biggest protector for the rest of our lives. Not everyone gets that, and I feel so lucky to have found Dalton.
We may have only gotten engaged this week, and maybe it was a whirlwind three-day engagement, but it’s still been the happiest week of my life.
