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She fell into his arms as he swooped and twirled her around. Her grip tightened, and she knew everything would be okay.
He slowed and planted her on the wooden planks of the gazebo. “Was that a yes, darlin’? Please tell me that was a yes.”
“Yes. Yes, Marshall Blackwood, I’ll marry you. But wait a minute.”
He paused, her hand in his. “What is it?”
“What about our businesses? I’m here, you’re there. Long-distance marriages fail from the start. I don’t want that.”
“Good. Nor do I. I’ve always wanted to move closer to the beach. With a few vacations back to Houston a couple of times a year to see the family. Now that I’m not tied down to board meetings, I can do anything BlackCo may need of me via the internet. I am part of the company and I’ll work as a consultant. What would you say to that? Think we can share an office for a while?”
A naughty smile pulled across her face. “I know what happens when we share office space.”
“My plans all along.”
She laughed until every cell and drop of blood in her body vibrated with happiness and love. “I’d say it sounds perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
He took her hand in his and gently slipped the white gold band with a large oval sapphire rimmed with diamonds over her finger and a band fitted firmly around her heart that very second.
He cupped her face until all she could see was him. “Sweetheart, there’s no pressure, I know there’s no wedding cake, no dress, and no fancy resort with blue-tipped roses, but I can’t wait another minute without you as my bride.”
A beach wedding to her cowboy. “I can’t think of anything more magical.”
He leaned back and cupped his hands over his mouth. “She said yes, everybody. You can come out now.”
“Dad, Mom.” Wrapped in Marshall’s arms she smiled, surprised as her entire family stepped out from the trees. People from the community huddled around them and hugs came in from left and right.
“Dad, thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. Since she could remember, he always had a firm belief in following one's heart. “Baby girl, I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world.”
Her mom ushered the pastor forward and he took his place at the front of the gazebo.
“Are we ready?”
Her dad squeezed her again and her mom patted her arm.
“Yes, Father.”
She looked up and smiled. “I’m so glad you came back for me,” she whispered low so only Marshall could hear as the pastor spoke.
“It was always my plan, sweetheart. I never thought you’d marry me let alone be my sole reason to draw air. In autumn maybe we can do the whole big wedding scene if you like.”
She grinned. “I changed my mind. This right here is the perfect wedding. I’ve found I don’t need flowers and lavish dresses. I only need you, Marshall Blackwood.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“The rings,” the pastor asked.
Marshall poised a second ring over her middle finger, a solid white gold band, and recited his own vows.
“Juniper, you are my stars, my moon, my solar system. The reason for breathing in the morning and loving when I thought a miserable life of office work would be my sole purpose. You have proven love doesn’t need an eternity to grow when it’s between the right people.”
Her heart swelled to bursting.
Callie rushed forward and took her hand and pressed a ring into her palm. She’d thank her later for always having her back.
“Marshall Blackwood, I thought I wanted perfect and never thought I would actually get what I wished for. I might be your stars and moon, but you are my magic and the one true proof love finds a way despite us getting in the way.”
