Her heart gave a hard flop, and she couldn’t stop the smile that lifted her lips. “I love you too, Wyatt. And I’m so glad to have you back in my life.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Gracie. Just try and chase me away.”
And then he pulled her into his arms and—nope—she had not one single urge to chase the man away.
Epilogue
Everyone had told Grace that her wedding day would feel surreal. That she’d feel as if she were watching from outside her body. That she’d be so distracted by all the details she’d fail to remember or even enjoy the small moments.
She couldn’t speak for the memory part just yet, but as she entered the sanctuary and her eyes connected with Wyatt’s, she felt more present than she’d ever felt in her life. She forgot the people, forgot her simple white gown, forgot the details, which she’d handed off to Molly anyway.
All she could think about was walking down that aisle, getting closer to the man who was staring at her like she was the best thing to ever happen to him. In her rush to be near him she may have walked too fast, may have failed to hold her bouquet just so.
Levi, who walked her down the aisle, let her set the pace, God love him. And when they reached the front, she tore her eyes from her handsome groom to give him a grateful smile.
The pastor welcomed the crowd—half the town had turned out as well as Wyatt’s large extended family. A prayer was offered. She joined hands with Wyatt. Words were said, and a song was sung by a friend of the family.
Wyatt had proposed in April following a picnic at Pawley Park. Today was the one-year anniversary of the day they’d met. Molly hadfreaked about the short engagement period, but Grace and Wyatt just wanted a simple wedding. She had to repeat the wordsimpleto her sister at least twenty thousand times, and even so they’d wound up with a botanical garden and a tiered wedding cake of skyscraper proportions.
When it was time for the vows Wyatt’s voice rang out confident and clear, his eyes never wavering. Grace soaked in every detail of him, committing them to memory. The crisp white of his shirt, the smoothly shaved planes of his face, the rough texture of his voice.
It was her turn next. She’d never been surer of anything than she was of the promises she was making today. As she finished she was only vaguely aware of Molly sniffling behind her.
Next, the pastor led them in the exchange of rings. Wyatt’s band slid smoothly over his knuckle. Then her own band settled into place on her finger. They exchanged broad smiles as the pastor proclaimed them husband and wife.
Wyatt didn’t wait for permission to kiss his bride, to the amusement of the crowd. He just gathered her in his arms and took her mouth in a loving kiss that went on about as long as was publicly acceptable. As he drew away he brushed her nose with his then whispered, “I love you.”
What followed the ceremony was the promised whirlwind of activity. Grace and Wyatt posed for pictures with their wedding party. They were presented as husband and wife in the church’s reception hall and made their rounds as everyone enjoyed the buffet Miss Della had organized.
As the meal wound up Molly made a long, sentimental toast, blubbering her way through some very nice words. Ethan’s toast had been short in length but long in sincerity. His warm wishes touched a place deep in Grace’s heart, especially since he’d just come through his own heartbreaking divorce.
Their first dance was next. Grace had chosen her parents’ song: “When a Man Loves a Woman.”As she swayed in Wyatt’s arms she felt their presence, their approval. She hoped they were looking down from heaven, seeing how happy she was. How loved she was.
She pulled back from Wyatt to look him in the eye, feeling uncharacteristically sentimental. “My parents would’ve loved you, you know.”
His eyes softened. “I wish I could’ve met them. But I kind of feel like I have, through you and Molly and Levi.”
“Their legacy lives on.”
“It really does, in so many ways. It’s cool that we kind of grew up in the same house.”
He’d been thrilled to find out they were keeping the inn in the family. It was his home, too, after all. “How many husbands and wives can say that?” she said as the last strains of the song played out.
“Husband and wife...” His eyes pierced hers as he lowered his head until his breath was a whisper on her lips. “That has such a nice ring to it.”
Just as things were getting good, Molly tore Grace away for the bouquet toss. One beautiful arc-throw later, it was caught by Molly’s friend Skye, who seemed rather pleased to find it in her grasp. After the toss Grace and Wyatt fed each other delicate slices of silky white cake to the applause of the guests.
Molly had hired a local band, so they danced until Grace’s feet—even encased in her favorite sneakers—were pinched and aching.
When Wyatt slipped away to see Ethan off, Grace took the opportunity to plop into a corner chair and rest her feet. They were going away to Gatlinburg for a few days. It was barely off-season for her business, and it was still busy. She had a staff of four now, but she didn’t feel comfortable leaving for a whole week.
Wyatt had settled into his position as a police officer. It meantworking some unpredictable hours and being on call a lot, but the job suited him. And she’d been right about his self-defense course; he had a crowd each week—and some of them were even interested in learning self-defense. Grace often helped him by playing the “victim.” He called her his star pupil.
The party went on, the band kicking up a rousing Luke Bryan song that had everyone crowding the dance floor. Grace scanned the happy gathering, a feeling of contentment rising. This was her place. These were her people. And now they were her husband’s people too.
Her friend Sarah was dancing with Skeeter. He spun her around several times until she fell into his arms, laughing.
Adam was watching Molly affectionately from the sidelines as she dragged Miss Della away from the refreshment table and spun her around on the dance floor. Grace was glad to see them letting their hair down. Jada had taken a full-time position at the inn, and Molly had hired out the cleaning. She was thriving in her role as sole proprietor of the Bluebell Inn.
