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Daniel popped a kiss on my lips, then hurried to the leafy altar the men had built under Major Oak. My father and I made my way there slowly, letting everyone take their places.
I’d thoroughly enjoyed Marian and Tuck’s wedding, but our small, intimate service suited us perfectly. Instead of a choir, we had chirping birds. Instead of the soaring ceiling of a church, we had the interlocking branches of oaks. And instead of an aisle lined with pews, we had a faint path lined with flowers.
Yes, the Merry Men had gone all out for the occasion, commanded, no doubt, by Willa’s firm hand.
We’d asked Tuck to preside over the ceremony, if not as a man of the cloth then as Lord of Nottingham. He refused as politely as he could.
Not on my life — nothing personal! — but I know the perfect man for the job…
Thus, it wasn’t Tuck behind the altar, but Friar Cyril.
A man of, er, interesting talents, as Tuck had put it.
My father hugged me again, then wiped his right eye — dust, no doubt — and nudged me toward Daniel. I clasped his hands and lost myself in my true love’s beautiful blue eyes.
“Dearly beloved…” Cyril started.
Marian, not far to my left, sighed happily and laced her fingers through Tuck’s.
Bess held her younger daughter and gazed lovingly at Robert, who returned the look.
Willa and John did the same. Nosewise, the Great Dane, slobbered happily at the sight of so many of his favorite people gathered in one place. The other camp dogs were on their best behavior too, sensing a special occasion…or hopeful for treats in the feast that would follow.
“We are gathered here today…” Cyril went on.
Daniel’s eyes shone, twin seas sparkling under a brilliant sun. So brightly, I lost myself there, making the rest of the ceremony fade to the background.
A ceremony that Cyril might have drawn out a little too long, because I caught Tuck signaling for him to move things along.
“Et cetera, et cetera,” the monk concluded. “Now, if there are no objections—”
A huge body hurtled forward, and everyone gasped, then laughed.
“Nosewise,” I scolded as the Great Dane jumped at me.
Daniel rolled his eyes, but Robert saved the day.
“Over here, Nosey.” He patted his legs, coaxing the dog over and rewarding him with a thorough patting. “Who’sagoodboy?”
Daniel cleared his throat impatiently, but it came out like a dragon growl. Cyril cringed, then hurried on.
“Do you, Robynne Hood—”
“I do,” I blurted, beating him to it.
“Do you, Daniel Cook—”
“I do,” Daniel cut in.
Everyone chuckled, including Cyril.
“You may now— Oh my.”
I wasn’t looking at the time, but Marian joked afterward at the crimson Cyril had blushed when Daniel and I fell into a deep, passionate kiss.
A kiss for the ages, because boy, did we deserve it.
I’m not sure when we broke apart, or if we ever did. I remember a party springing up around us, though, much like those blossoms in the fields. I remember the crackling bonfire, the laughs, the jokes. But most of all, I remember the feeling of peace in my soul. And not just peace making a brief visit, but settling in for good.
