“You are the least fussy bride ever.” Rain reached for her handbag. “For a while, I thought you weren’t going to let me talk you into flowers.”
“I know you said no gifts, but I wanted to offer you two a couple’s tarot reading for free anytime. I’ve always thought Mitch had such Charioteer energy—so in control of his physical and emotional drives. And you Megs, maybe Star energy—a light in the darkness, offering hope to others, though you’re pretty bossy. It would be fun to see what the cards say.”
“That’s a very generous gift, Rose. Thank you.” Megs knew Rose meant well. “Thanks, too, for helping to raise money for Mitch with your … craft.”
Rose’s face lit up. “It was the least I could do. See you up there.”
Megs, Sasha, and Rain left the house and climbed into Rain’s SUV for the trip up to Caribou, white ribbons and flowers tied to the vehicle’s grill. Once the site of a mining camp, Caribou was now a wide-open meadow that was ablaze with wildflowers each spring. With the white-capped Indian Peaks in the background, it was one of the most scenic spots around Scarlet and was featured on a lot of postcards.
The drive didn’t take long—ten minutes tops. Cars were parked along the dirt road, chairs set out in neat rows for their guests, the center aisle leading to a low stage with a sound system and two enormous standing rose bouquets. Mitch stood beside Kurt, Gridwall, and Accardo near the stage, dressed in a nice pair of khakis with a white shirt and a tan waistcoat.
Damn, he was hot.
He saw the SUV and walked over to help Megs out, his gaze raking over her, his expression telling her he wasn’t disappointed. “I think I like you in dresses.”
He kissed her cheek.
“No kissing yet!” Sasha admonished them.
Mitch chuckled. “I suppose she’s right.”
While guests took their seats, the two of them stood back by the vehicles, waiting for the cue to start down the aisle. They’d decided to do what a lot of couples did in Europe and walk down the aisle together. It wastheirwedding, after all. They could do whatever the hell they liked.
Mitch took her hand, looked at her engagement ring. “Why didn’t I propose forty years ago?”
“Probably because you knew I’d say no.”
They laughed because they both knew it was true. It wasn’t that Megs hadn’t loved him or wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, but at that point, she’d viewed marriage as a silly social convention and weddings as a waste of money.
His brown eyes looked into hers. “What changed?”
“I did.”
It was hard to fathom that eight months ago, he’d been in a coma. His speech was more or less normal now. He still got terrible headaches once in a while, and he had some residual short-term memory problems. But he had worked hard to reach this point.
Gridwall ran up to them. “They’re almost ready. God, I’m nervous.”
“Why areyounervous?” Megs had to ask.
“I’ve never been a bridesman before.”
Gridwall was standing with Megs as her bridesman, while Accardo was Mitch’s groomsman. The two were charged with carrying the rings—and making sure neither of them forgot their vows. Unfortunately, Cook hadn’t been able to come, as the date had conflicted with his oldest grandson’s high school graduation.
Music began to play.
Gridwall kissed Megs and Mitch on the cheeks. “See you two at the altar.”
Mitch took Megs’ arm. “Are you ready?”
“After forty-nine years?” She laughed. “I’m more than ready.”
Mitch walked up the aisle,proud to have Megs on his arm, blue sky above them, wildflowers at their feet. Bach’sAir on a G Stringdrifted over the speakers as their friends stood, smiles on their faces. Most of Scarlet Springs had gathered to celebrate with them, some folks in chairs, the rest on blankets, everyone smiling.
Mitch’s heart swelled, a part of him blown away to think that this brave and beautiful woman he’d loved for so long was finally going to become his wife. If it weren’t for Megs’ love, skilled doctors, and the people of this town, he might never have seen this day. He was the luckiest son of a bitch alive.
They reached the dais, Mitch stepping carefully so as not to lose his balance. Accardo gave him a nod and patted the pocket of his waistcoat, letting him know that Megs’ wedding band was safe. Then the music stopped, and Kurt, who was officiating, began the ceremony, mic clipped to his clerical robes.
“Good people of Scarlet Springs, today we are gathered to join Mitch Ahearn and Megs Hill as they celebrate a long and happy life together by at last becoming husband and wife.”
