by Andrea Thome
There was a knock on the door, and then Susan entered with a bottle of champagne in one hand and an envelope in the other. She smiled at the scene before her, grateful for these special people in her life. She handed the envelope to India and set about opening the champagne.
“I wanted us to have a moment to share a toast before the day gets away from us.”
She popped the cork on the Veuve Clicquot, pouring four glasses. She pulled a fifth glass from the cabinet and poured an apple juice for Sadie. Handing out the glasses, she stood before them still holding two for herself. India looked at her, puzzled.
“What’s with the second glass?”
She was just about to tease Susan about being such a lush, when the screen door opened again, and a nine-month-pregnant Julia waddled in, a huge smile on her face.
“Give me that champagne. I’ll do anything to get this baby out of me, and I’ve heard that bubbles do the trick. Hopefully we’re not too far to the hospital.”
She rushed over to hug India, the two of them bursting into simultaneous laughter and tears.
“I thought you weren’t coming . . . doctor’s orders! What are you doing here, Jules?”
India rubbed Julia’s giant belly, in awe that her friend could still look so beautiful this full of a baby.
“He said I couldn’t fly. There was no mention of driving. So nine delightful hours in a car, and presto! Here we are! I shipped Mike off to be with the groom; I hope that’s OK?”
India beamed at her friend. She couldn’t believe she’d come all this way to share in their big day. She raised her glass to the incredible women in front of her.
“A toast to all of you. You’re so special to me, and I’m so very grateful to have each of you in my life. To friendship, family, and, always . . . to love.”
Wyatt had been warned that his wedding day would go by in a blur and that it would be impossible to remember every detail. But there was one moment he knew he would never forget.
The sun was setting behind India when she arrived at the boathouse on Finn’s arm. He could make out her silhouette as she walked toward him, but it was only as she got close enough for him to see the look in her eyes that he’d come undone. He’d never felt love for anyone the way he loved India, and he knew she felt it too. He hadn’t believed his good fortune when she’d agreed to be his wife.
They’d been on a hike together in the fall, the ring burning a hole in his pocket on the way up the mountain. He was terrified that he would lose it, so he’d kept his hand in his pocket the entire way. When they’d reached the top, she’d noticed that he’d stopped talking, and when she turned around, he was down on one knee. It was the same spot where he’d saved her from the bear. And she’d realized in that moment it was also the very spot that she’d dreamt about the week after she first left Blackberry Farm, where she’d been unable to reach him. This time, there was no trouble at all. He’d slipped the ring onto her finger, and she’d known in her soul that she would never be alone again.
They knew they’d always have a home as long as they were with each other. They’d loved spending the last year together in Walland, and Finn and Susan had made sure they knew that Blackberry Farm would always be an option to them.
Ever since Finn’s heart attack, he and Susan had both had to make adjustments.
Once he was back on his feet, Finn had reluctantly admitted that the physical work of farming was behind him now, so he’d agreed to interview candidates for the head gardener position. In a happy twist of fate, Garrett, the bellman who had helped India on her first day, emerged as the most qualified. His grandparents had taught him a great deal about heirloom farming back in Washington State, so Finn knew he was the perfect fit for Blackberry Farm.
Susan wanted to have the freedom to travel more now that Finn was well, and she knew that if she remained in her role as proprietress, it would limit them. To that end, she’d drafted a letter and had given copies of it to both India and Wyatt just before the ceremony, naming them the new coproprietors. It was up to them going forward to manage things—or to hire managers as they saw fit, if they wished to have more flexibility themselves. Either way, they were the future of Blackberry Farm, and together they would make it great, however they chose to go about it.
Now, as they stood together in front of their family and friends, looking into each other’s eyes, the future seemed limitless. Wyatt grabbed India’s hands, fighting the urge to kiss his bride before being told to do so. She looked like a goddess. Her off-the-shoulder antique lace dress had a bohemian vibe that suited her. She wore her hair mostly loose, with a few flowers, and her cheeks had the blush of their first moments together. The image of her standing before him on their wedding day would be forever seared into his brain.
India’s heart raced as she gazed at Wyatt standing across from her in his heather-gray three-piece suit, the white shirt unbuttoned at his throat, so quintessentially Wyatt. His face had the faintest hint of whiskers, and she blushed when she realized she was having wedding-night fantasies before the ceremony was even over.
Her voice was choked with emotion as she said her vows.
“Wyatt, you swept me off my feet from the moment I met you, and while that first week was white hot, this past year has made me understand the value of a slow burn. You’re my constant, my best friend, and my partner in all things. I promise that I will love you, honor you, challenge you, and console you. When you laugh, I’ll delight in the sound; when you cry, I’ll be there to wipe away your tears. There is no one I’d rather spend the rest of my days with than you, and I’m honored that you feel the same way. I love you to the moon and back, and I can’t wait to start the rest of our lives together, now, in this moment.”
Wyatt smiled at her, giving the lump in his throat a moment to clear. He squeezed her hands as he spoke.
“India, waking up each day next to you is such a gift. Your positive attitude and your love for life are contagious. You are kind to everyone, and my family and friends love you like their own. I’m humbled by your thoughtfulness, whether it’s as simple as making me a cup of coffee, pulling back the covers for me to join you in our bed, or the way you looked after Finn and Susan when they needed you most. You’re the light of my life, and I can’t wait to write the next chapter of our incredible story. Thank you for loving me so completely. I promise that there will never be a night when your head hits the pillow without knowing how much I cherish you and the life that we are building together. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for marrying me.”
With those words, Wyatt finally kissed his wife.
They’d spent the year before their wedding building a home together up on the ridge. The house was incredible, with huge windows that made it feel like they were living in a tree house. They talked often of filling it with children one day, but not yet. They wanted to enjoy some time alone together first.
They didn’t spend their first night as husband and wife in that new house, though.
After their reception in the Yallerhammer, they walked hand in hand under the stars, past the chapel. As they came up the gravel road, they could see the twinkling lights hanging off the awning of the Airstream. Wyatt turned to India, his face young and happy.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Hinch.” He swung her up into his arms and carried his wife inside.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
© Terri Carrick
Andrea Thome is a former broadcast journalist, having covered both sports and news during her career. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband (a retired professional baseball player) and their two children. She spends her spare time traveling and pursuing her other passion, photography. You can see a sampling of her photography and learn more about Walland at www.andreathome.net. Walland is her first novel. She is currently working on the second book in this three-book Hesse Creek Series.