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As Ryan stood at the front of the giant tent that had been erected overlooking the lake on the Starnes’s lawn, joy filled his chest until he couldn’t breathe. At the back of the tent, Cassie appeared on her father’s arm. Ryan had known she’d be beautiful, but he hadn’t been prepared for the overwhelming love that would overcome him when he saw her on her way to become his wife. In the long, silk almost golden gown surrounded by Christmas greens and reds, she reminded him of warm candlelight. Despite the excitement and nervous energy running rampant through his body, a sense of calm enveloped him. Cassie was his peace, his calm, all things warm and wonderful in the world. When he looked back over his life, Cassie was his constant – the one who’d always believed he could be more. Thank God, she’d hung in there until he believed it too.
As she glided toward him, he had to blink his vision clear. This woman, the one he’d watched transform from girl, to teen, to woman, to mother, would be hiswife. For all her future transitions, he’d get to be by her side.
The father/daughter pair stopped in front of him. Her father lifted the delicate lace veil from her face and kissed her cheek. Cassie’s smile shown brighter than the white lights strung throughout the tent or the candles burning warmly from pedestals.
“Hey,” she mouthed then winked.
Ryan’s heart tripped in his chest. She was his. Finally.
Mr. Starnes took Cassie’s hand and placed it in Ryan’s. “Take care of her,” the older man told him. “She’s my most precious gift.”
Ryan’s gaze shifted to Ellie standing by Sophie’s side with a tiny bouquet clutched in her hands. He knew how Cassie’s father felt because he felt the same about his own little gift. A gift only Cassie could’ve given him. He’d have no trouble not only taking care of them both, but cherishing them and the joy they brought to his life.
