Silence fell except for a robin chirping somewhere and the breeze humming in the oak leaves. Many weddings begin with, “We are here today…”
Not this one.
“Many years ago,” Pastor Andy began, “Young Autumn was busy digging worms in the yard to take fishing. Cory snuck up to see what she was doing, assuming she must be making mud pies. Well, she wasn’t, but Cory ended up getting a mud pie to the face by the end of the day.” He waited through the laughter. “That marked the beginning of a long friendship that grew into much more. Cory?”
“I’ve loved you a long time, Autumn,” Cory said, looking into her eyes. “Ever since we started walking home from school together, sharing snacks and talking about all our big ideas. Ever since we built that old tree fort in your apple tree and spent stolen hours there. Ever since I chased you around at grade school, and later when I chased you around for a date. Even when you left for college, I loved you. I came to understand that we each needed to grow into our own person. I loved you when you came back, and we discovered that link and love was there and stronger than ever. I’ll always love you.”
She felt more tears roll down her face. “I’ll always love you,” she mouthed.
They weren’t to that part but Cory suddenly leaned over and stole a quick kiss on the mouth—a cowboy kiss!
The End
About the Author
Kristen James is berry fanatic and outdoorsy girl who enjoys micro adventures around her region, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. She's also a bestselling author of romance and family drama, mostly set in the rugged and beautiful Pacific Northwest. Kristen discovered her love of writing in the fourth grade when her class wrote short stories, and she's been writing ever since.
https://www.writerkristenjames.com
https://www.facebook.com/WriterKristenJames
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By Kristen James:
Costa Rica
A Cowboy For Christmas
The Cowboy Kiss
More Than Memories, Book 1
A Wedding to Remember, Book 2
Embers of Hope, Book 1
More Than a Promise, Book 2
The Enemy’s Son
The Fairy and Her Giant
The River People
The Cowboy Kiss (Romance Short Story) Page 4