by Kahlen Aymes
I had plans for the evening, and I couldn’t have picked a better place. My mother had flown in with Chase’s parents, his brother and sister and their kids. They’d all rented cars and shown up right after Missy’s group. We’d invited our caterer, Arlene, her husband and her kids. Gina had a sister, and her family would be here, too. They would all be staying in the cabins until Sunday, but tonight, we were open to the public.
Remi and Dylan had been stuck to me like glue, and I loved it. They were both dressed up, though Dylan complained when he had to change out of his play clothes. Remi was wearing a pretty white sundress and Dylan had on nice jeans and short sleeved button down in soft shade of blue. They both had on new cowboy boots, which I knew would be off their feet and shoved under a table in short order. I planned to show them how to break them in but even then, it would take more than a week of wear before they didn’t hurt their feet. “This is a ranch, Uncle Ben. How come we had to dress up?”
I laid a hand on his shoulder. “Because we want the people of Jackson to see that while it’s a dude ranch, it’s still a classy place to hold weddings and other parties. Besides, you might meet a pretty girl to dance with,” I teased.
“Uncle Ben!” Remi admonished. “I’m his damsel, so he has to dance with me!”
My nephew rolled his eyes and I chuckled.
“I don’t wanna dance right now, Remi. I wanna eat.” Dylan walked over to where the food was set up with several uniformed people to assist with the serving. Remi crossed her arms and stood firm. “Aren’t you coming?” Dylan asked, pausing to look over his shoulder when he realized she hadn’t come with him.
“Not until you admit I’m your damsel,” she was adamant, her face resolute.
Dylan’s head lolled back; his hands dropped to his side in defeat. “Ugh,” he groaned. “Fine. You’re my damsel. But only because I’m starving.”
“Give it time, Remi. Boys don’t start looking at girls until they’re at least twelve. Even then, it’s iffy.” I patted her between her shoulder blades. “You’ll see.”
“Well, I might find a new prince before then.”
“I bet you could, too. You look like Rapunzel.” Her dark hair was flowing down her back in a cascade of curls. “But wait a few years. You’ve got a lot of time. Let’s just concentrate on tonight, then having a great summer, okay?”
At the end of the week when their families left for home, Remi and Dylan were staying behind until just a week before they had to be back at school. Jace was too young, but I hoped that this would become a tradition, even when Marin and I started our own family.
“Okay. Will you dance with us later, Uncle Ben? Auntie Marin said she’d teach us some of those country line dances. I mean more of them,” She giggled a little.
“I remember. Thank you for helping Auntie Marin, Remi. She told me these beautiful lights were your idea.”
“Yep, cuz you told me what you told me.”
“Well, thank you for keeping my secret.”
“I told the band when I do this, they have’ta start playing that song you told me about.” She pointed her finger.
“Okay but wait until I do the thing we talked about.”
“I will, Uncle Ben. After the watermelon song. I got it.”
In secret, I’d taught my entire family The Watermelon Crawl over Skype so we could surprise Marin, sort of like a flash mob. It was the first line dance we’d even danced to and I thought it would be fun for her if everyone knew it. Especially Remi and Dylan. They adored Marin and I knew she already loved them as if they were her own.
“Remi! Are you coming or what?” Dylan called from across the room. He was waiting for her to come take a plate in front of him, holding her place in line.
“See? I am his damsel, right?” she said wryly shaking her head, swishing her long hair across her back. “Boys are dumb.”
I laughed and nodded my agreement as she took off toward where Dylan waited.
Everyone looked perfect. I noticed the crowd were wearing dressy casual, as if they were going to a club or summer wedding as my eyes scanned for Marin. Chase and Teagan were already swaying together on the dance floor, Jace and Bliss secure with their grandparents at one of the tables. Missy and Jensen were there, too, deep in conversation with Chase’s sister Kat while her husband managed their brood in the buffet line.
Finally, my eyes landed on Marin. She was standing upstairs, looking down from one of the lofts. She looked ethereal, just like an angel. She had on a pale pink dress, with a low-cut sweetheart neckline that was trimmed in white lace with more on the short cap sleeves. The dress flared out and finished with a five-inch ruffle that ended just above the knee. She paired it with her old cowboy boots and the effect had my heart literally flipping inside my chest. I found my hand coming up to rest over it as if it could ease the ache the sight of her caused.
I felt a hand on my arm and turned to find my mother there. I bent down to hug her. “Hi, Mom! I’m so happy you could make it.” She’d flown in with Chase’s family and while I knew she was here, I was busy planting trees until I had just enough time to feed and water the horses, then hop in the shower. This was the first time I’d seen her this time. She lived in Atlanta near Jensen and Missy.
“I wouldn’t miss it. Marin has been an absolute doll since we arrived, and you look so handsome. So happy.”
“I am,” I said, sobering. “And you look very beautiful,” I returned her compliment.
“I think I’m the only one not wearing cowboy boots.”
“Nah, Teagan and Missy aren’t either. Can’t take the city out of those two.”
“Are you ready for this?” Mom asked, a gentle smile curing her face. She looked like a slightly older version of my sister, but still stunning as hell.
I nodded. “So ready.” More ready for this than any other moment of my life.
She reached up and patted my cheek, then presented me with a small dark blue box. “I had it cleaned, and it looks perfect.”
I wanted to look inside, but I glanced up to where I’d last seen Marin and she was now watching us. She’d found me in the crowd and was smiling down. “Okay. Thank you for doing that.”
“Don’t be nervous, son.”
Was I nervous? Marin had already agreed to marry me, but I had to acknowledge the butterflies in my stomach. “I’m trying not to.”
“Well, the place looks great, and you couldn’t have picked a more perfect night. You and Marin have done an amazing job.” She hugged me tightly, once more, and then patted my shoulders with both hands that ended with a hard squeeze. I could hear the tears in her voice as she struggled to keep her composure. “You make me very proud.”
My arms tightened around her waist for a moment and then released her. “Are you ready to dance?”
She laughed through her tears. “Are you kidding? Remi and Dylan have been practicing in whichever living room happens to be closet. I think I’ve done that damn thing a thousand times. Missy’s done it many times with little Josh strapped to her belly like a sack of potatoes.”
I let out an uproarious laugh. I could totally picture it in my mind, and if their enthusiasm was anything to judge by then tonight would be super fun, and totally perfect. “That’s hilarious! I bet the kids pestered the hell out of them.”
“Oh, they did. You should have seen Jensen. He couldn’t stop laughing for the first five run-throughs.”
Marin made her way down the stairs across the mostly empty dance floor to where I stood with my mom. It was an easy habit to slide my arm around the back of her waist whenever she was near. I bent to kiss her temple.
She smiled brilliantly at my mother. “Are you all settled in?”
“Oh, my goodness, yes! The cabin is so quaint. Everything is perfect. You must be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished in such a short time.”
“We are,” Marin beamed. “Thank you.” Her arm went behind my waist, she was tucked perfectly into place at my side. We fit so easily, in so
many ways.
“Are you both ready to grab some food? Maybe we should eat before more people begin to show up.” I suggested.
Marin and my mother agreed, and it wasn’t long before we were all seated at a long table that had been set up to accommodate all of us. My mother started a conversation with Chase’s parents the minute she sat down next to them.
The food was delicious but when people began to file in, Marin and I took our place at the door to shake hands and thank everyone for coming.
At sundown, the bonfire was started outside and the band turned up the amps, switching to covers of popular country songs that spilled into the open air around the fire. It was turning out to be a great party, and everyone was having a blast.
We had a book set up on a table near the entrance where guests could sign in and inquire about any dates they wanted to book for future events. I’d gone over to glance at it a couple of times throughout the evening and it was filling up fast. There were already two full pages of reservation requests.
I was checking it out for the last time when Gina and Davis arrived.
“Wow, this is incredible! This place is going to be such a big success and another big draw for Jackson,” Gina exclaimed.
I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Glad you two could make it. You look great.”
“Make it? Dude, I never left! I just showered in the cabin and Gina brought me a change of clothes. Where is Marin?” Davis asked.
I pointed to the dance floor. She was dancing with Remi and Dylan and holding little Jace on her hip. “Over there.” She looked deliriously happy.
“I can see motherhood all over her,” Davis teased, with a cock of one eyebrow.
“And what’s wrong with that?” Gina poked him in the chest.
“Ow! Did I say anything was wrong with it?” Davis protested.
I couldn’t help the grin that graced my face. I couldn’t be happier that things were working out with Gina and Davis. Her fiery spirit was just what my best friend needed.
“Marin and I are planning on making a thank you toast soon, so grab a drink from the bar.”
When the pair left my side, I walked up to the band and nodded at Marin. When the song they were playing ended, the band waited for us to come up to the stage. My hand reached for Marin’s and my fingers threaded through hers. The lead singer handed me the microphone, but I passed it off to my girl. Jensen walked forward and handed us each a glass of wine as if on cue.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention? We just wanted to say thank you for making tonight such a wonderful evening and such a success! I hope my Uncle Leonard is looking down from Heaven and proud of what we’ve done with the place. We look forward to hosting your events and seeing your families with us for a stay at the ranch. We’re so excited for what the future holds for the Teton Valley Ranch.”
Marin handed the mic back to me as the crowd clapped.
“Also, we’ve had a lot of support from our family and friends, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t thank all of you. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks to my friends, Davis, Jake and Mark who have put in a lot of sweat into the build, and to our family who have offered financial and moral support, we are truly grateful, especially Remi and Dylan who offered so many incredible ideas.”
The crowd cheered and clapped again, the sound echoing through the large space.
“Free weekends for life!” Davis shouted from the back of the room. “And we’ll consider it even!”
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Jensen added.
“Hey, hey now,” I answered. My words admonished but my tone was teasing. “Let’s not get crazy.”
The room burst into another round of uproarious laughter.
“Now, we have a surprise for Marin. If you’ll be so kind as to indulge us for about three and a half minutes. If you know this one, join in.”
Marin’s eyes widened, full of questions. “What’s going on?”
Chase, holding Jace on his hip, along with Missy, Teagan, Remi, Dylan, Davis, Gina and the rest of my firefighter friends all joined us on the dance floor, making lines in behind us. Chase’s brother and sister’s families all joined in, as well. Apparently, Remi and Dylan had made it a mission to teach everyone possible the fun line dance.
“Tell them Dylan,” I said, holding the mic down for him.
“We all learned a line dance for my new Aunt Marin. Uncle Ben says it’s an oldie, but a goody! She learned it from her Uncle Leonard when she was about our age, so we gotta keep it in the family. But friends are okay, too.”
Remi, who was standing beside Dylan, leaned forward. “It’s the first line dance Uncle Ben did with Auntie Marin, too, so we’ve all been practicing and practicing so we could show her how much we love her!”
The crowd all burst into a chorus of exclamations.
“It’s the watermelon song!” Dylan announced gleefully.
“He means, The Watermelon Crawl,” Remi corrected, excitement lacing her voice.
Marin’s mouth dropped open and her hands came up to her mouth before her eyes filled with tears. I stood next to Marin and she gave me a tight hug. “Did you teach them?”
“Yeah. On Skype, no less.” I laughed and she smiled up at me, her eyes glassy.
“Thank you,” Marin whispered. “I love you.”
“Back at you.” I winked at her, lifting her hand to kiss it just as the music started when Remi and Dylan rushed up to the stage to be in the front line. It was apparent they’d decided that they would lead the dancing. Others in the crowed recognized the song, knew the dance and were soon joining in.
Happiness showed like a beacon from Marin’s eyes and bright smile as the band played the quirky song and we all danced. Jace was giggling as Chase held him in his arms, dancing regardless. Even my mother joined in, standing between her two grandchildren at the front. When the song ended everyone shouted and clapped. Marin hugged me, then went down on one knee in front of Remi and Dylan and hugged each of them with one arm. “This was so special. Thank you, so much.”
“Aw it was nothing,” Dylan said, casually. “It was even kinda fun.”
“Kinda?” Remi lamented with a grunt.
Marin laughed out loud. “Well, I think it was completely amazing.” She kissed each one on the cheek.
Remi pointed at the lead singer of the band and the soft instrumental version of a song I’d picked out just for tonight began to play.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, before we resume the dancing, Ben wanted to say one more thing.” He took the microphone off of the stand and handed it back to me.
I was holding Marin’s hand so she wouldn’t leave the dance floor as it cleared off; everyone resumed their seats or places at the bar.
I rubbed the top of her hand with my left thumb. She looked at me expectantly as turned to face her.
“Marin, I know I shouldn’t be thankful for a fire that changed your life so drastically, but I can’t help it, because it changed mine, too. The minute I laid eyes on you in the back of that ambulance, I knew you’d change me in ways I never imagined. It was love at first sight.”
The candlelight made her light grey eyes sparkle as tears filled them. I was sure she knew what was happening because her throat constricted as she swallowed and that little crinkle between her brows appeared. It happened when she was thinking hard or trying not cry and was just another thing that I loved about her. The soft smile on my face deepened but the emotion of the moment overwhelmed me.
“There are so many things I want to say to you. I wish I would have met your Uncle Leonard, but I know he had to be one hell of a man to raise a little girl on his own, especially because you turned into the woman you are. I wish I could thank him; I wish I could ask his permission to marry you. Since I can’t, I have to hope that he’d approve of me.”
A tear dropped from her eye and tumbled down her cheek, followed by another as she nodded. “He would.”
“I want to say th
ank you for your heart, your kindness, for letting me protect you, and for protecting me, too. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you…. For trusting me with your today and your tomorrows. You know that I love you more than anything in the world, and I want to take care of you for the rest of our lives. I can’t even fathom growing old without you.”
I took the box my mother had given me earlier in the evening out of my pocket and opened it, then knelt down on one knee. The vintage ring was a large cushion cut stone mounted in a white gold filigree band. The matching wedding ring would remain in the box for now.
“This is my grandmother’s ring, Marin. I’ve been waiting for the right person to give it to, and I know with all my heart and soul that person is you. So, Marin Marie Landry, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”
The room was silent except for the super soft strains of the song. “I will. Yes!” she cried brokenly. I slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand before standing to lift her off of the floor and take her mouth in a passionate kiss.
The room erupted in shouts, cheers and thunderous clapping. My heart felt as if it would burst. She’d already said yes, but now, in front of all of our family and friends it was official.
The song the band was playing got louder and I realized I was still holding the microphone in one hand even as I held Marin close and kissed her.
I pulled my mouth from hers and she buried her face into the front of my shirt and chest. I was grinning from ear to ear as I leaned over and handed it back to the front man of the band.
“This song is dedicated to Ben and Marin and it’s called ‘Better Today.’”
It was a country song that I loved and that I felt would suit the moment. I never let go of Marin as the song began and we started to sway. I cupped her face with one hand and used my thumb to tilt her chin upward. “I figured I’d better make it official, since our wedding is in December.” I grinned down at her, before sobering. She was so beautiful, and she was mine. “I love you so much,” I murmured, before I lowered my mouth to kiss her again. I nudged her upper lip with my lower one, wishing I could devour her, increase the pressure and let my tongue dance with hers.