I’d arrived at eleven to set up my equipment, and now, at one-thirty, guests were starting to arrive.
I busied myself checking my camera settings, adjusting angles, making sure everything was perfect. This was Trace andDelaney’s wedding. My brother’s wedding. I couldn’t mess this up.
Guests continued to arrive. Townspeople I recognized from the bar and the ranch, plus what seemed like half of Willowbrook. Trace and Delaney were clearly loved.
I photographed people taking their seats, kids running around before their parents corralled them, the golden afternoon light that made everything look like a painting.
At 1:40, I noticed some commotion near the parking area on the opposite side of the pond. Voices raised, people gathering. But I was focused on setting up for the processional and couldn’t see what was happening.
My phone buzzed. A text from Dex.
Dex:Everything’s fine. Don’t worry. See you in a few minutes.
I frowned at the cryptic message but didn’t have time to respond. The ceremony was about to start.
By the time the music began at 1:55, whatever had happened seemed to be resolved. The groomsmen walked out and took their places at the front, all of them looking calm and professional.
When Dex appeared with the others, he caught my eye and gave me a reassuring nod.
Okay then. Whatever it was, it was handled.
The string quartet started playing. Beautiful and classical and perfect.
The groomsmen lined up. Booker, Xander, Gage, and Dex. I captured each of their faces as they took their positions.
Dex caught my eye and smiled.
I smiled back, then forced myself to focus on my job.
The bridesmaids came next, Reece, Billie, and Blake. Each of them looking beautiful and emotional.
Then Cade, Trace’s eleven-year-old son, looking so grown up in his little suit as he carefully walked down the aisle as a juniorgroomsman. He stood next to Gage, and I got a shot of Gage putting a hand on his shoulder, protective and proud.
And then—oh my god—baby Barrett.
Except Barrett wasn’t walking. He was in Trace’s arms, because apparently Trace had decided to carry his one-and-a-half-year-old son down the aisle rather than trust him to make it on his own.
The crowd murmured with delight as Trace appeared, Barrett in his arms, both of them in matching suits. Barrett was clutching the small pillow with the rings tied to it, looking very serious about his job.
Trace walked to the front and carefully set Barrett down next to him. The little boy immediately grabbed his dad’s leg, and I captured that moment as Trace looking down at his son with so much love, Barrett looking up at him with complete trust.
My throat tightened.
The music changed.
Everyone stood.
And then Delaney appeared.
She was on Jasper’s arm, and the look on her face—pure joy, pure love, pure certainty—made my eyes sting with tears.
Jasper looked proud and emotional, and I realized this was probably a moment he’d never thought he’d have. Walking Delaney down the aisle. Being part of this family. Having a second chance.
I photographed them walking, the guests watching, Trace’s face as he saw his bride.
And oh, the look on Trace’s face.
He was crying before Delaney even reached him.
