Page 33 of Bailey

“Nothing?” Cole asked.

Uncle Blaze stepped forward. “I’ll say the prayer.”

Cowboy hats got swept from heads, but Cole hadn’t put his on yet. He couldn’t wait to see how Rachel had staged the runways and airplane hangars for their wedding; he couldn’t wait to say “I do,” and be declared her husband. But for now, he kept her close as he bowed his head and listened to his uncle powerfully call down the powers of heaven on this day.

Jem Young had traveled and ridden the rodeo circuit all over Texas. He’d never categorize the Panhandle as a beautiful oasis, but everywhere he currently looked, he found exactly that.

They’d pulled into the dirt parking lot, where young cowboys directed people where to park. Rachel’s cousins, of which she had a fair few. Wyatt Walker had six brothers, and they all had young adult children.

He, Sunny, and the kids had then been ushered into a large, metal hangar, meant to park and do maintenance on airplanes. Not jetliners or anything, but all the planes had been removed, and wooden poles and beams now took up the space.

Soft cream drapes ran from point to point, with tea lights in bright white and soft yellow. Rows and rows of chairs had been set up, and since Jem had arrived early, he took his youngest and headed for the big open doors that spanned the right side of the building.

Air conditioners pumped cool air into the space, though it was still early spring here in Texas, and the temperatures weren’t too bad.

Jem pulled in a breath when he stepped outside. The barren landscape of the Panhandle and the runways here had once again been transformed into absolute beauty. Tents had been set up, with circular tables that held eight each dressed with peach, sky blue, and lavender linens.

Tall bouquets had already been set in the middle of each table, and the blooms swayed in the slight breeze as it lilted by.

“I hungry, Daddy,” Skye said, and Jem hitched the little girl higher up on his hip. He and Sunny had been working on potty-training their daughter, but they’d put it on hold for the past few weeks as they’d prepared for this trip to Texas.

They’d been here for a few days now, and they’d all fly home on Monday morning. Wyatt and Marcy had invited them for a small, intimate dinner tomorrow after church, and Jem wanted to have a good relationship with them.

His heart sang for his son, and that Cole had managed to find a good woman, from a good family, with a good job. Jem had spent so much time worrying over his kids—mostly Cole, as Rosie had been headstrong and filled with fire since the moment she’d been born. She’d known she wanted to ride the rodeo since she was eleven years old.

But Cole…Cole still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. Well, other than be Rachel’s husband, Jem thought with a small smile. A hint of worry passed through him, but thankfully, it didn’t stay long.

Yes, he worried, because Cole was so young. Rachel was a few years older than him, and one of the most practical human beings Jem had ever met, but still. He and all eight of his brothers were on their second marriage, and divorce was never easy. He didn’t wish that for his children, and he reminded himself that Cole and Rachel lived only a short thirty-minute drive from him and Sunny, and he’d still be able to see him and help him all the time.

Rosie, on the other hand…. Jem paused his thoughts there, because he had to trust in God—or not. And Jem wanted to trust that God would guide and help his daughter, no matter how far from home she roamed.

After all, the Lord had done that for him, and yes, Jem chose to trust God.

“It’s beautiful,” Sunny said as she slid her arm through his and laid her head against his bicep.

“It sure is.”

“Are you ready for this?”

“Yes,” Jem said decisively.

“Good,” Sunny said. “Because the ceremony starts in ten minutes, and they want everyone in their seats.”

Surprise rose through Jem, because he hadn’t realized the time had slipped by so quickly. He turned back to the hangar with his wife, hurrying to drop his hand to hers and squeeze. She faced him, questions riding in her expression.

“I love you, Sunny,” he said, his tone turning a touch throaty.

She brightened and smiled back at him. “I love you too, Jem.” She reached for Skye and took the girl from him. “Now, come on. We can’t have the groom’s parents be the one delaying the wedding, and your son is about to come out.”

Jem didn’t want to miss that, so he walked back inside and to his place in the front row on the Young family side of the aisle.

A beautiful altar stood against a ribboned backdrop of colorful satin ribbons, mixed with lace, pompoms, and fairy lights. They twinkled on and off at a slow pace, so as to not cause anyone a stroke, and he reached over to squeeze his momma’s hand the moment he sat down.

“This is lovely, Jem.” She reached up to pat her hat, seemingly to make sure it still sat in place, and Jem grinned at her.

“It sure is,” he said.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a male voice said, and Jem recognized it at Rachel’s older brother, Warren’s. “Please stand for the groom, Mister Cole Young.”