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“I’m not nervous at all. I want to marry this man more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
My father was waiting for me on the porch when I stepped out of the house. He looked strangely out of place in his designer jeans and polished loafers—a reminder of the big city I’d left behind. His gaze swept over me.
“You’re really serious about making a life for yourself here.”
“This has always been home, Dad,” I replied.
He nodded and held his arm out to me.
“I saw the way it broke your heart a bit to leave Ash Ridge behind all those years ago. You never stopped talking about coming back. I’m glad to see you finding your happiness.”
Together, my father and I walked down the lane of sunflowers that led to the barn where Landon waited for me in jeans, boots, a blazer, and cowboy hat. His gray eyes followed me as I approached. Beau let out a whistle and gave Landon’sshoulders a friendly shake. Even though the ceremony was small and consisted of our closest friends and family, the reception would be bigger, with nearly half the town expected to make an appearance.
When Landon took my hand, he was trembling as if he was cold despite the hot June day. Pinned to his lapel was a small corsage of wildflowers—I’d insisted on picking them myself and tying them with a piece of ribbon. He swallowed hard, swaying on his feet.
“Landon?” I whispered. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, blinking a few times. His thumbs smoothed back and forth over my knuckles.
“This is—this is really happening. And it’s…”
Landon’s face pinched and he glanced down at our joined hands. His throat worked as he composed himself. I stepped closer, peeking under the brim of his hat.
“It’s hitting me all at once just how much I fucking love you, Callie,” he whispered. “I love you with everything I’ve got.”
The minister cleared his throat.
“Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren’t we?”
A few people chuckled.
“Can’t fault him for being eager, preacher,” Beau said. “He’s been waiting a long damn time for this moment.”
The shadow of a smile crossed Landon’s lips. He lifted his head to reveal his eyes, drinking in the sight of me. As the minister began to talk, I tuned out most of it, catching only bits and pieces. I was too busy counting down the seconds until I got the chance to call Landonmy husband.
When the minister said, “You may kiss the bride,” Landon barely let the man finish speaking before he swept an arm around my waist and kissed me breathless.
The audience cheered, followed by applause and whoops of delight. Then a familiar whinny echoed from the pasture.Landon and I broke apart to see Hera standing at the fence, watching the proceedings.
“It looks like I’ll have to get used to sharing my husband,” I said.
He laughed and stole another quick kiss, before he slipped a peppermint from his pocket and passed it to Hera.
I watched him speaking softly to her, marveling at how far we came. A year ago, Landon had arrived on my porch, disgruntled and abrasive. Now, we were starting a new chapter of our life together, building a home and a family full of love that he’d never had before.
I came up behind Landon and wrapped my arms around his middle, pressing my cheek between his shoulder blades.
“Welcome home, Mr. Landon McClaren. I can’t wait to share forever with you.”
