When he flashed those baby blues up at me, I really thought I might lose my nerve. Nash Yarbrough glared at me like all this was my fault. I wanted to shrink back behind his brother, away from his hateful gaze, to point at his parents. They were the ones who wanted this. I was fine with selling and continuing to work on the farm.
I squared my shoulders, willing myself not to back down, but years of being the “good girl” made me look away.
“It’s about time?—”
“Let’s get this over with, Ivy”, Nash interrupted his father, grabbing me by my forearm and pulling me up.
I wasn’t ready for the abrupt movement and tripped on the first step, almost falling when Brooks' arm wrapped around my waist and caught me as my purse fell on the floor.
“Watch it,” Brooks snapped at Nash.
I bent down to grab my things as the tension between the family skyrocketed. It was downright uncomfortable as I straightened out, so I grabbed Nash’s bicep to draw his attentionaway from his brother. This family was a mess and the last thing I needed was an argument in front of the courthouse, even though I wanted to correct him on my name.
Nash walked off, leaving me with his family and entered the courthouse without a backwards glance. Brooks sighed as his father muttered something as we followed. We arrived just in time for our appointment, getting the paperwork done before we were told to take a seat and that they would call us when they were ready.
Mr. and Mrs. Yarbrough sat next to each other, speaking in low voices. Brooks and I sat across from them and Nash looked out the only window they had. Waiting was torture. I didn’t dare pull out my phone because I knew I would text someone I was about to do something stupid.
So, I did what anyone would do and snuck glances at my future husband, wondering what kind of future awaited us. He was a bronc rider, but that was as much as I knew. Would I move back immediately? I really hoped he didn’t expect me to go out on the road with him.
“Yarbrough!”
I flinched, my heart rate soared, my hands grew clammy and I froze. Brooks and his parents stood up as I had my mini crisis. Nash stood in front of me, his face stoic with his hand held out for me, a small olive branch I was grateful for. I placed my hand in his, his warmth giving me the push I needed to get up.
We walked to a small room that had a small podium where a judge waited for us. He asked Nash and me to stand in the middle, right across from each other, and he started the ceremony.
I heard little as Nash and I stared at each other. We weren’t at odds with each other, but for just a moment, we were just two people in the same situation.
“Nash, do you take this person, Iris, to be your lawful wedded spouse? Do you promise to love and comfort her, to honor her and keep her in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her?”
“I do,” he said, after a long pause.
“Iris, do you take this person, Nash, to be your lawful wedded spouse? Do you promise to love and comfort him, to honor him and keep him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him?”
“I…I do,” I said.
“Nash, place and hold the ring on the ring finger of your partner’s left hand and repeat after me.”
Nash pulled a ring out of his pocket, gently taking hold of my hand and placing the ring on my finger. It was the same white gold as our engagement ring, but this had a row of three diamonds on it.
“This ring I thee give, in token and pledge of my constant faith and enduring love. With this ring, I thee wed,” he said, sliding the ring so it fit perfectly against the engagement ring.
They were stunning together.
“Iris, place and hold the ring on the ring finger of your partner’s left hand and repeat after me.”
I turned around to grab my purse from Mrs. Yarbrough, opened the ring box, and pulled out the black titanium ring I purchased that had one silver ring in the middle. I grabbed his hand, placing the ring on his finger.
“This ring I thee give, in token and pledge of my constant faith and enduring love. With this ring, I thee wed,” I said, sliding the ring the rest of the way.
“Now that you have joined yourselves in solemn matrimony, may you strive all your lives to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion that you now possess. By the authority vested in me as Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, I nowpronounce you married under the laws of the State of Texas,” he said with a big smile. “You may kiss your bride.”
Nash leaned forward and I followed his lead. He kissed me softly, my heart fluttering from the gentleness I was not expecting. The kiss ended too soon, leaving me wanting more. Nash’s parents and Brooks offered their congratulations. A piece of me felt like shit that I didn’t have my family with me.
“I have reservations at?—”
“I have to go,” Nash said as we exited the courthouse.
“Excuse me?” Mr. Yarbrough snapped.
