Abel Lee: Are you awake?
Savannah Mae: I am. I can’t sleep.
Abel Lee: Not having second thoughts, are you?
God, I hope not.
Savannah Mae: Nope. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
Abel Lee: Is it tomorrow yet?
Savannah Mae: I wish. Does your Momma know you’re textin’ me on the night before our weddin’ day?
I want to laugh.
Abel Lee: No. Momma wouldn’t be much too happy with me, I reckon. Seeing the bride and talking to the bride, even through texting, would mean about the same thing to her.
Savannah Mae: I reckon you’re probably right. What are you doin’ awake?
Abel Lee: Thinking of you.
Savannah Mae: Good thoughts, I hope.
Abel Lee: Making you my wife is always a great thought.
Savannah Mae: I like the way that sounds.
Abel Lee: Me, too.
Savannah Mae: You’re not having second thoughts, are you?
Abel Lee: Are you kidding? I’ve never been so certain of anything in my whole life.
Savannah Mae: That’s good to hear.
Abel Lee: I best let the bride-to-be get back to her beauty sleep. Momma won’t be too happy if she finds out I’m the reason for your lack of rest.
Savannah Mae: Don’t wanna upset your momma.
I sure don’t.
Abel Lee: Good night, Savannah Mae. I love you.
Savannah Mae: Good night, Abel Lee. I love you, too.
I don’t sleep, I can’t. In a few hours I’ll marry the woman of my dreams. I stare at my and Sawyer Jackson’s wedding clothes carefully hanging from the closet door. I think Savannah Mae will be pleased with our wedding attire.
Quietly, I get up and feed the animals and I wanna take Colonel for a ride before everyone gets up for the day. I grab my childhood guitar and strap it to my back before riding Colonel out to the evergreen field. It’s a cool morning and the fog is still blanketing the ground. The sun is just beginning to rise as I strum a few chords. Savannah Mae is the only thing on my mind today. Sitting on top of Colonel, I’m grateful he doesn’t spook from the music, or from my croaky singing voice.
The sun rises slowly, turning the dark sky into day. I ride Colonel around the perimeter of the property before heading back to the farm. I replay my wedding day over and over in my head. Just like Savannah Mae, I want it to be perfect. I’ve added a few things to the wedding that she doesn’t know about. I’ve texted Maria, and I’ve spoken to the preacher to get the okay with them. I’ll need his help with one of my plans. When I feel calm and confident that I didn’t do anything to mess up this day, Colonel and I head home to get ready for me to take my bride.
Savannah Mae
“When did I think it was a good idea for four girls to shower and try to get ready in a one-bathroom house?”
“Oh, hush, Savannah Mae. It’s a little crowded, but we wouldn’t have it any other way,” my sister says.
I have to agree. I look around at the livin’ room that has been transformed into a makeup/ hairstylist main quarters. We are havin’ an early evenin’ weddin’. Peaches Place is caterin’ the weddin’; they even closed down the diner on Friday and Saturday to prepare for it. Kennedy’s Bakery in Cambridge is makin’ our weddin’ cake. No relation to Abel Lee and his family. Maria is actin’ as our party planner and is doin’ a great job at it. She has been up and at it since early this mornin’.
Maria was a true blessin’. I was afraid that when Abel Lee told me she was pregnant at one time with his baby, I might look at her with resentment, but I don’t. I like her, and I can see what he saw in her. I’m just thankful he no longer has those feelin’s for her. I can’t compete with something like that. She’s perfect in every way. She’s helpful and sweet and kind and beautiful. I think I might even love her. Isn’t it weird to feel that way towards your fiancé’s ex? My heart hurts when I think about her loss and the fact that she’ll never know what bein’ a mother feels like. I wouldn’t trade bein’ Sawyer Jackson’s momma for anything in this world.
Nelly called and gave me a heads up that Abel Lee and the guys are gettin’ ready to leave for the church. We have to hurry over to the church to avoid bein’ seen by him. I don’t need any threats of bad luck ruinin’ this marriage. On the way over, I stop and admire the way the old schoolhouse has been reformed. It looks beautiful.
“If you keep standin’ there, he’s gonna come barrelin’ around that corner and ruin everything.”
I look at Mia, who is waitin’ patiently for me, holdin’ the back door to the church open for me.
“I’m comin’.”
Once inside the church, we begin to get dressed. Maria is already dressed and is waitin’ for the guys’ arrival out in the foyer. She has a list of things she needs them to do before our guests arrive. I remind myself to breathe as I continue to get dressed.
Mom and Nelly come in at the same time and assist me with my dress and veil. I’m happy to see them. Nelly assures me that everything will be all right. Mom tells me that I am the most beautiful bride ever.
They make sure I have my something old, new, borrowed, and blue. My something new is my dress, my something old is my grandmother’s embroidered handkerchief, my something blue is my garter, and my something borrowed is Abel Lee’s grandmother’s pearl necklace that Nelly is lendin’ me for this special occasion.
“Something old, / something new, / something borrowed, / something blue, / and a silver sixpence in her shoe” is a verse that comes from Great Britain, which used to have sixpences as money. The “sixpence in her shoe” is supposed to bring prosperity and good fortune to the new family. I place a quarter in my shoe for good measure.
It isn’t until Daddy and Bud walk into the room with Harley and Sawyer Jackson that I break down in tears. Sawyer Jackson looks so grown up, which makes me cry even more. Samantha Marie and Mia fuss about me messin’ up my makeup, but I don’t care. I bend over and hug my boy, my son.
The guys aren’t dressed in tuxedo’s like I thought they would be. I smile when I see all of them dressed alike in jeans, cowboy boots, and white button up shirts. I have to wonder if Marie knows that aren’t wearin’ tux’s.
“You look so handsome. Are you ready?” I ask, still kneelin’ down closer to him.
“Nope, I don’t got no rings.” He holds up the ring bearer’s pillow that doesn’t have the rings attached to it. Maybe Abel Lee is gonna have Levi hold the rings and have Sawyer Jackson just carry the empty pillow. Or maybe he’s lost them. Great, my son lost our weddin’ rings.
“C’mon, Buddy, we need to find the rings.” I look up at Bud and wonder if the rings are really lost. He just smiles at me and I know that Abel Lee has them in a safe place.
I kiss them both one last time before they leave.
“We’ll be back before the weddin’ starts,” Bud says.
Once Bud and Sawyer Jackson leave, I stand and hold Harley next. He looks so handsome. I kiss him and he kicks and squeals. I kiss him one last time before handin’ him off into his mother’s waitin’ arms.
Standin’ in front of the full-length mirror, I admire myself. I’m wearin’ an eggshell-color dress. My veil is short and simple, but beautiful. My hair is in big loose curls the way Abel Lee likes, and my makeup is flawless, thanks to Samantha Marie and Mia. Daddy walks over and stands behind me.
“Savannah Mae, you look stunnin’.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” I turn around and he wipes away the single tear before it has time to run down my cheek.
“You know, all I want for you is to be happy.”
“I know.”
This is my second weddin’ and everything he told me the first time, he doesn’t tell me this time. I don’t know whether he thinks he’ll jinx me, or if the words don’t apply this time around.
“Abel Lee is a fine young man, and I know he has nothin’ but good intentions when it comes to you and my grandson.”
How do
es he know that unless he’s talked to Abel Lee? Can he tell by Abel Lee’s actions? “I know he does. He loves us both.”
“Yes, he does.” He clears his throat, “If there’s ever a time in your marriage when you’re not truly happy, you’ll let me know, right?”
I know he’s referrin’ to the time Ethan cheated on me. It took me weeks before I ever told anyone. “I’ll tell you the first time we have an argument,” I tease. He smiles and we both laugh. “I’ll tell you the first time I’m miserable in my marriage.”
He hugs me and says, “Don’t wait until you’re completely miserable.”
“I won’t. Thank you for always lookin’ out for me.”
I remember when I finally told Daddy about Ethan and Heather Sue the night of her birthday party. When he left the house to look for Ethan, he was furious. I saw Daddy that mad only one other time, and it was the night Samantha Marie was drugged. I have no idea what Daddy said or did to Ethan. I never asked Daddy, and Ethan wouldn’t tell me. Mom always tells Samantha Marie and me that she feels sorry for the man who hurts us. We know it’s because Daddy loves his daughters and only wants us to be happy. Abel Lee has nothin’ to worry about. He would never hurt me.
Maria announces that we have ten more minutes and my stomach knots up. Daddy holds me at arm’s length and tells me Abel Lee is a very lucky man.
I sit down and listen to the hustle and bustle around the room. I try to calm my breathin’. A second marriage is different from a first marriage. All too often, the first marriage is to a boy, someone who does not know how to truly commit to a relationship. The second marriage is to a man, someone who will stay around after the kids are born. A divorced woman, who is often a single mother, is pretty particular about choosin’ her second husband.
Mia walks over and hugs me. “You’ll be my sister-in-law in another hour.”
“I know, I can’t wait.” I look at her in her champagne-colored dress.
“Friends and then family. I’m so happy we’ll be both.”
“Me, too.”
“Who would have thought that you would be marrying Levi’s little brother?”
We both laugh. “Abel Lee is a great man. He’s my dream come true.”
“And you’re his dream come true, too.”
Maria announces it’s showtime. Mia holds my hand and helps me to a standin’ position. “Wait a minute, I need to change my shoes.”
She watches me in amazement as I step out of my pair of dress shoes and into my cowboy boots. “Maria won’t be happy with you.” We both giggle.
“Maria is great at plannin’ and organizin’, but this is my weddin’ and some things just don’t fit in a country weddin’. Plus, she won’t know until it’s too late.”
We stand and walk over to the waiting area near the door to the church. Mia hugs and kisses me before she walks out. Samantha Marie hugs and kisses me next before she leaves. I let Abel Lee choose our weddin’ song. When “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton comes on, I cry. I loop my arm around Daddy’s and wait for our turn. Maria didn’t only help plan the weddin’, she’s assistin’ to make sure everything runs smoothly.
When I hear people standin’, I get nervous. I’m starin’ at the floor when Daddy nudges me to move forward. “C’mon, Savannah Mae, let’s not keep your husband waitin’.”
My husband. Abel Lee will be my husband. I love him, there’s no doubt about that. I just hope I’m good enough for him. Is an ole country girl gonna be enough for him? Will he grow tired of me and the country, and seek something new and excitin’ in the city?
“You comin’ or you gonna make Abel Lee come and get you?”
Lookin’ up at Daddy, I smile. “I’m ready.”
When Maria gives us our cue, we make our way to the aisle that is covered in red rose petals. I stop and admire the view in front of me. My eyes follow the petals until my eyes meet Abel Lee’s. He is standin’ there in a white button-up dress shirt, Wrangler jeans, and his cowboy boots, smilin’. Sawyer Jackson is standin’ in front of him dressed identically to him and holdin’ a white ring bearer’s pillow. I smile and cry when I see them standin’ together. I thought Maria told me Abel Lee was gettin’ fitted for a tux. What he’s wearin’ is nothin’ close to bein’ formal wear. He’s wearin’ the clothes in my sketches of our weddin’ that I sketched months ago. He looks sexy, strong, and confident. This is the weddin’ I envisioned. I should have known Abel Lee would wear what he wanted. I look down at my cowboy boots pokin’ out from beneath my dress. I smile to myself.
“Savannah Mae, you gonna watch him from here, or do you wanna be a little closer? Might be easier to marry him of you’re standin’ beside him.”
Lookin’ up at Daddy, I giggle. “Sorry.”
I want to run down the aisle to be with Abel Lee and Sawyer Jackson at the altar, but I walk slowly instead.
“Smile for the camera,” Daddy reminds me.
It’s easy to smile. I smile and pace my steps to the music, tryin’ hard not to hurry. I should look around the room at our guests, but I look only straight ahead at my son and future husband.
When I finally take my place beside him, Abel Lee leans in and kisses me. I blush when Pastor Jenson leans in and whispers that we aren’t to that part yet. Abel Lee leans up and clears his throat. “Sorry.” We hold hands as we listen to the preacher. He strokes my knuckles and watches me. When it comes times to say our weddin’ vows, Abel Lee goes first. He smiles big and releases my hands. Our weddin’ party giggles and it makes me wonder what’s so funny. I thought he might hold my hands when he would tell me his vows. I frown as the preacher hands Abel Lee a foldin’ metal chair. Once it’s unfolded and settin’ between us, the preacher then hands him a cowboy hat and his guitar. Now it’s my turn to laugh. Abel Lee is gonna sing me his weddin’ vows. I don’t think I’ve ever been serenaded before. I’ve heard Abel Lee sing, but he’s never sung to me directly. I back up to give him some room as he puts on his hat, props his foot up on the chair, and positions his guitar on his leg. I hold Sawyer Jackson’s hand as we both watch in amazement. I hear whispers, giggles, and whistles, and I just smile as I watch Abel Lee.
“Savannah Mae, as you and everyone in this room knows, I love you more than anything.” He clears his throat, again. “I couldn’t come up with my own words for our vows because Canaan Smith already used them in his song ‘Love You Like That.’“ Everyone who knows that song whispers something or places their hand over their heart. Tears steadily run down my cheeks. I’ve heard Abel Lee play this song, but I’ve never heard him sing it.
“Savannah Mae, this song says it all.”
I stare in amazement as Abel Lee taps his foot and serenades me. He’s on key with his singin’ and his guitar playin’. At the end of his singin’, I walk over to him and kiss him. I can’t resist him. The room erupts with cheers and claps. It’s like a concert rather than a weddin’. “Thank you, it was beautiful.” I lean in and kiss him.
“Thank you for agreeing to spend your life with me.”
The preacher clears his throat and laughs.
Abel Lee says, “Sorry, no kissing until you say it’s allowed. I keep forgetting that part.” Abel Lee hands him his guitar and the metal chair and I know it’s my turn to say my vows.
Sawyer Jackson and I wrote our own vows. I hold one of Abel Lee’s hands and Sawyer Jackson holds his other hand. While holdin’ Sawyer Jackson’s other hand, I say from memory, “Sawyer Jackson and I didn’t know what we were missin’ in our lives until you walked into it. We didn’t know what we wanted until we met you. You complete our family.”
“And you take us crawdad huntin’.” Sawyer Jackson adds. Everyone laughs and Abel Lee smiles.
“We both love how you make us feel. We both love the goodness in your heart and the kindness of your touch.”
“And we love goin’ to Florida, too,” Sawyer Jackson adds, noddin’ his head. Everyone laughs, includin’ Abel Lee.
“I loved that, too, Sawyer Jackson,�
�� Abel Lee says.
I pick up Sawyer Jackson and hold him. “We both promise to love you forever.”
“Forever and ever,” Sawyer Jackson adds.
Abel Lee looks at the preacher and the preacher nods. He leans in and hugs Sawyer Jackson first before he kisses me. “I don’t know what I did to deserve either of you, but I thank God that I have you both.”
I set Sawyer Jackson down and the preacher tells us it’s time for the rings. I watch, smile, and laugh as Sawyer Jackson fumbles with and drops the ring pillow. Watchin’ him is more comical than anything. I look behind me at Mia and my sister, who are both tryin’ to hide their giggles. Abel Lee leans down and helps him untie the rings from the pillow. When he stands he hands me my ring for him. It’s gorgeous. We wear infinity rings where the diamonds encircle the gold weddin’ band. Inside the ring is engraved, “Love You Like That.” Just like the song he sang for his vows. I wipe away the tears.
We place the rings on each other’s finger before I can finally kiss my husband. It’s soft, and sweet, and long. Abel Lee picks up Sawyer Jackson before the preacher introduces us as Mr. and Mrs. Abel Lee Kennedy and family. A family, my family. I’m proud, and happy, and thrilled that Abel Lee has joined our family. Sawyer Jackson already has a dad, but now he has another person to love him and care for him — this will only enhance Sawyer Jackson’s childhood and life.
Chapter Fifteen (Country Love)
Abel Lee
Our reception is filled with laughter and smiles. We cut the cake as a family, and we dance as a family. Sawyer Jackson is just as big a part of our wedding as Savannah Mae and I are. When I married Savannah Mae, I gained an already-made family, and I couldn’t be happier. I know Sawyer Jackson has a dad and I respect that, but it doesn’t take away from the excitement that we are a family. When I vowed to love Savannah Mae forever, I vowed to also love Sawyer Jackson forever. He’s easy to love and I’m thrilled to be a part of their family. I’m happy that Savannah Mae chose me to be her life-long partner. After everything she’s been through and her life’s struggle being a single mom, I not only vowed to love them, I secretly vowed to myself to always protect them and to provide for them. I’ll live everyday of my life trying to do right by them and to be the man they both deserve.
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