“I mean it’s kinda long.”
“I know. Can I just say Daddy?”
“You can.” Much more of this and he was liable to start bawling. “Okay, your string tie is looking good. See what you think.” Taking him by the shoulders, he turned him toward the mirror.
“Yep. That works. Thanks, Daddy.”
He gulped. Such simple words. Packed a punch. He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome, son.”
Tex popped open the ring box. “Still there.”
“So they are.” Zinnia had convinced him that an engagement ring was silly when she wouldn’t be able to wear it much considering her job. Neither of them would wear their wedding bands during work hours, either.
But he loved what they represented. A Celtic knot etched into the gold surface was identical to the one her parents had chosen for their wedding bands. The symbol of everlasting love gave Zinnia a way to honor their memory and make them a part of the ceremony.
On the inside of each ring was a message special only to him and Zinnia — I gots you. He couldn’t wait for the moment Tex would hand over that box.
As if in response to his wishes, Pastor Ed rapped on the door. “It’s time, gentlemen.”
His brothers gathered up the cards and came over to give him and Tex big hugs.
Monty put his hand on Tex’s shoulder. “Time to get married, sport.”
Tex glanced up, eyes sparkling. “I know.”
Leaving the room, they followed Ed, who’d been pastor for as long as Monty could remember, into the crowded chapel. Cole wrapped up the prelude music he’d been providing with his fiddle and Mila joined him to sing Taylor Swift’s Love Story.
He’d always admired his sister’s voice and never more than now. He gazed at the folks—friends, clients, his mom, grandma and aunties—jammed into the pews decorated with multicolored bouquets of zinnias.
They smiled at him, but Tex got most of their adoring attention. He stood ramrod straight, clearly trying to look taller. The Bridger men lined up next to Tex, going in birth order.
This was happening. He was marrying Zinnia today. The rush of happiness made him want to pump his fist in the air and shout for joy.
Instead he focused on his mom. She’d supported his decision from the get-go, and now the unconditional love shining in her eyes put a lump in his throat. His dad was gone, but he had his mom, who was there for him, for all of them.
When Cole and Mila ended the song and launched into Martina McBride’s I Love You, Monty faced the back of the chapel, his heart rate picking up.
Greta came dancing down the aisle, followed by Claudie, Tracy, Jordan and Mari, each performing whatever steps they’d chosen, each flashing him a grin as they sashayed over to the far side of the altar. By the time they finished up, he was laughing.
Then the tune switched again, to Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s Nobody But You, and he sucked in a breath. This was it.
Zinnia appeared.
His heart thundered so loud he could barely hear the music or notice that Graham was escorting her. She hadn’t let him see the dress, hadn’t given him any hints except that she thought he’d like it.
Understatement of the century.
White and filmy, it flowed around her like… like moonlight. He felt cool grass under his bare feet, caught the scent of pine and wild rose. He was marrying the woman walking toward him. He was marrying this goddess of the night.
“Daddy.” Tex pulled on his sleeve. “You gots to go over there. Mommy’s waiting.”
He blinked. Sure enough, the song continued as Zinnia stood smiling at him. Graham had stepped back.
He quickly moved into position. “Sorry,” he murmured. “I was… blown away”
“Just what I was going for. Let’s do this.”
Which they did. Evidently he responded as he was supposed to. Right on cue, Tex produced the rings.
