Page 149 of Sterling Stone

As long as she was coming in my direction, she could cartwheel for all I cared.

Chasing, she’d told me about the adventures her mother had led them on during their nomadic lifestyle.

The only thing I wanted Taxi to chase was me. She wasn’t going to have to run very far. I was willing to be caught.

Taxi’s sisters sit among the guests. Trudy is in the front row opposite where Cortland sits. Her smile so wide, her round face is radiant. Happy tears leak from her dark eyes.

I only needed Taxi’s permission to marry her, but I still went to Trudy for her blessing, knowing how important she’s been to both Taxi and me. To my entire family.

“Your mama . . .” Trudy said, choking up over the remainder of her thought about her long-gone best friend. She didn’t need to tell me my mother would be proud. Be happy for me.

I knew it. I felt it.

Violet was watching over me right here, right now. In the place I’ve always been.

“If you’d all please rise, if you are able,” the minister addresses everyone, and people stand, shifting to face the back of the house, where the door opens.

A door I’ve walked in and out of a million times in my life, yet I’d never focused harder on the opening that would deliver the one woman I’ve been waiting for my entire life.

Taxi.

Her hair is up in an intricate sweep. Only a single curl dangles near the side of her face. She’s as bright as the sun, blinding and stealing my breath like she always does.

Her dress is periwinkle, because why not?

As for me, I’m wearing a beige suit. She told me the color is actually stone brown.

Doesn’t matter to me. She’s the rainbow in my life.

Her eyes are focused on me, and that prickle in the back of my own liquifies. I blink several times, not wanting to miss a single moment of her walking toward me, filling that space that’s been vacant most of my life. The spot right beside me.

“Hi,” she whispers as she nears me. Her mouth curved so big those silvery eyes of hers sparkle.

“You look beautiful,” I greet her, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

She slips her arm through mine as we face the minister. We’ve already discussed how there might be a few things not so traditional about this wedding. We aren’t going to stand with space between us.

And eventually, we share our vows in our own way.

A private joke, of sorts.

With my fingertip, I draw a star over her heart and begin.

“I, Stone Sylver, do solemnly swear . . .”

Taxi chuckles, her eyes suddenly welling with tears.

“To love you. To honor you. To chase the wind with you, but also to hold you steady when the gusts are too strong.”

A single tear drips from her eye, and I catch it with my thumb. She soggily smiles.

When Taxi goes next, she slips her hand into my jacket, spreading her fingers like a special kind of five-point star over my heart.

“I, Tallulah Alexander, do solemnly swear . . .” She chuckles a little despite the seriousness of what she’s about to say next.

“To love you. To honor you. To plant roots with you, but also to dance with you when the breeze blows.”

I lean in to kiss her again, this time taking her lips, sealing our deal, our vows, our promises.