Page 87 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

She tenderly caresses the scarred side of Reid’s face, and he leans into her touch, a balm to his old pain.

I envy him, standing before the love of his life, about to make her his forever.

My attention’s consumed by this woman I loved in secret, who I now love loudly and openly, standing proudly with her sister on the most important day of her life.

Mr. Andersen invites the wedding party to take their seats. Harper moves a spot down by her dad, and James sits beside his mom, lovingly holding her hand.

Greyson and Liv bookend Harper, showering her with praise for her excellent performance as flower girl. And Delilah takes her place beside me. Where she belongs.

Mr. Andersen welcomes us all to this joyous day and says a few words before giving the floor to Reid.

“Go ahead, son,” Mr. Andersen says, choked with emotion.

Reid takes a folded piece of crisp paper from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. When he unfolds it, a tattered piece of paper is revealed and Izzy’s hands fly up to cover her mouth, holding back a sob.

Delilah tenses, her sister’s emotions rippling through her. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight.

“Come here, darlin’,” Reid consoles, pulling his bride into his arms, whispering into her ear and kissing her temple.

When she’s composed herself, he gives her an adoring smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling deeply from the peace she brings him.

He clears his throat and reads.

“Isabelle, words can’t express how lucky I am to marry you. I’m not going to question it, because I’m afraid if you dig too deep, you’ll run for the hills.” Light chuckles fill the room.

“I thought I had a good life, but I wasted it caring only about myself. At one of the darkest times of my life, you brought me back from the brink.” Reid wipes away a stray tear.

James takes his mother’s hand, and Mr. Andersen moves to stand behind his wife—a family strongest together.

“I wish Sam could be here today, and in a way, he is because he lives on in our hearts.” He reaches around his dad to boop the armadillo, whose head bobbles merrily.

“Sugar, you rescued me from my grief, and you didn’t even know it. I can never thank you enough for bringing me back to life.”

There’s not a dry eye in the house, and Izzy wipes the tears from Reid’s cheeks, smiling softly at her groom.

“It’s fitting, getting married at the place I realized my feelings for you. I was slower to come around, but I promise I’ll spend my lifetime loving you the way you deserve. It was here I opened up about my dreams for the first time, and you not only listened, but you made it a reality when you drew this.” He holds the worn piece of paper reverently.

“I like to think Grandpa’s lucky spurs brought you to me, the same way they brought him Grandma. But instead of a girl wearing a red dress in the stands at the rodeo, their luck brought me a firecracker in pink and combat boots.” They both chuckle.

“You made my dreams come true, Isabelle. You gave me a second chance at living, the courage to make my plans a reality, and most importantly, your love. I’m honored to be your husband.” Reid cups Izzy’s cheek and places a soft kiss to her lips.

Delilah looks to me, her adoration clear as day. She gives me a sweet kiss that sends warmth to my toes.

Mr. Andersen resumes as the officiant.

“Isabelle, sweetheart…” he leads, indicating it’s her turn.

She has no paper to read from, or memento to share—she speaks directly into Reid’s soul, her eyes brimming with love. He takes her by both hands, his thumbs brushing across the backs of her hands gently.

“When I was a little girl, we used to play wedding.” She shoots a playful grin at Olivia, Delilah, and me.

“It was a fun game, but I never thought it’d happen for me. The only love I was given was conditional and toxic. For many years it was just my sister and me against the world.”

Delilah rests her head on my shoulder, wiping away tears.

“No boy ever caught my eye because it was a young man destined to steal my heart. The moment I saw you in the middle school hallway, I was smitten. Many years and heartaches later, the universe brought us together in the most unexpected way. You mended my broken heart, and I fell for you more each day.” Her smile’s so wide, I can’t help but smile with her.

“You fought my demons, believed in me, and accepted me for who I am. You saved me as much as I saved you. You’re my best friend, my lover, my person, and now, my husband. You’ve given me a life I never could’ve dreamed of, and every day you love me unconditionally. I said yes beneath the sign representing our new life, and I’ll say yes every day for the rest of my life. I promise to love you with everything I am, forever,” Izzy finishes.