by Kelly, Amber
Beau comes next, skipping down the aisle faster than the music’s tempo, with Hawkeye at his heels. The damn dog has on a vest and bow tie that matches his. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and the sound of, “Aw,” that rolls through the tent says the crowd agrees.
He bounds over to me, and I tuck him in front against my legs. Hawk follows and sits at my feet.
“Good job, buddy,” I whisper as he bends his head back to look up at me.
The music pauses for a moment, and then a violinist joins the harp. Sophie walks through the entrance on Jefferson’s arm.
The guttural sound that escapes Braxton says it all. She is a vision. A tear rolls down his cheek, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him emotional.
She practically floats down the aisle to him. Happy tears welling in her eyes. Their love is so big that it fills this tent, and every person sitting here can feel the power of it surrounding them.
The reverend asks who is giving this woman away, and Jefferson answers and kisses her cheek before placing her hand into Braxton’s.
We face the altar, and much of the rest of the ceremony is a blur to me because my attention is focused on Dallas. Her face is alight as she watches her friends commit themselves to each other, and all I can think is that I want to stand before our friends and family and make the same promises to her.
“Do you, Sophia Doreen Lancaster, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Reverend Burr asks.
“I do,” Sophie cries.
“And do you, Braxton Ty Young, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” Braxton chokes out.
Beau looks at me because he knows his cue is coming, and when the reverend asks for the rings, I nudge him forward.
He proudly raises the pillow, and Braxton unties the rings and mouths, Thank you.
Once they are pronounced man and wife, Braxton grabs her face and kisses her breathless.
Beau gets excited and starts jumping up and down, cheering, which riles Hawk up, and he starts yapping and jumping at Brax’s and Sophie’s feet.
The audience starts cracking up and the newlyweds burst into laughter.
After the ceremony, Walker, Payne, Silas, and I sneak out to decorate the happy couple’s ride. We pull the John Deere tractor to the front of the reception tent and string it with tiny heart garden lights and tie a couple dozen beer cans to the back. We strap a wooden sign to the front that reads She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy and one in the rear that reads Just Hitched with the date. We figure it’s the perfect vehicle for Braxton to drive off with his new bride for their first night in their new home.
Once we’re finished, I walk into the reception to join Dallas and Beau, and supper is served.
“Beau’s getting restless. I think I’m going to take him for a walk outside while we wait for the cake to be cut,” I whisper into Dallas’s ear as she chats with the other guests seated at our table.
“Okay,” she says distractedly as I pluck him from his seat beside me.
We exit the tent, and I take him by the hand and lead him out into the meadow. Hawk leaps from his perch on the ground and runs after us.
“I want to ask you a question, man to man,” I start.
He looks up at me.
“What do you think about me asking your momma to marry me like Miss Sophie married Braxton today?”
“So, you can kiss her all the time?” he asks, a huge grin planted on his face.
I chuckle. “Yes, and because I love her, and I want you guys to come live with me in my house, so we can be a family,” I tell him.
“Okay,” he says.
After a few moments, he stops walking and asks, “Are you gonna be my daddy?”
“Yes, sir. I’d like to be. If that’s what you want.”
“Even though you didn’t put me in Mommy’s tummy?”
I stop and bend on one knee so I’m looking at him, eye to eye. “The way I see it, all you need to be a daddy is love, and I sure love you, Beau Stovall.”
“Will I get to call you Daddy?” he asks.
“You can call me anything you want to call me.”
“Can I change my name like Mommy will?”
I get choked up at his question. “I’ll work on that, buddy, and if it’s okay with your mommy, as soon as we are able, I’d be proud to give you my name.”
His eyes well with tears, and he leaps up into my arms. I stand, and he lays his head on my shoulder as I walk us back to the party.
We return in time for the cutting of the cake and champagne. Beau is grinning from ear to ear at Dallas as we approach the table. She gives us both a curious look. He’s gonna spill the beans. Looks like I’d better talk to Dallas’s daddy real quick.
The toasts begin, and to everyone’s surprise, the first one to stand is Jefferson.
He clears his throat. “I’m a man of few words. My pop taught me a long time ago that people should know a man by the life he lives, not by the talk he talks.”
He looks to Braxton and Sophie. “I think you get that from me, son.”
Laughter bubbles up from all around.
“I didn’t have to be told that you loved my girl. Contrary to what my daughter thought, you weren’t fooling anybody. I saw it in the way you treated her, even when you thought you didn’t like her. In the ways you protected her, your worry over her comfort, and simply in the way you looked at her. You tried to fight it, but it was a losing battle from the beginning. I knew before either of you two knew because I recognized the actions of a man falling in love.”
He lifts his glass. “I’m so proud of the man you have become. And, my sweet Sophia, baby girl, a father couldn’t ask for a more loving and forgiving daughter. I can’t wait to watch you two build a beautiful life together. I love you.”
He takes a sip of the champagne as the clinking of crystal sounds around the tent.
A beautiful life—that’s what it all boils down to. The good times and the bad times, they all swirl together, and in the end, you get beauty.
Myer
I climb the steps to Dallas’s parents’ home. I’ve known them since I was a boy. I spent a huge amount of my childhood playing in their fields and racing four-wheelers through the paths in their orchard. Mr. Henderson helped Payne and me build that old tree house out back when we were in fifth grade. They are like my second family.
Beau is in school today, and I knew Dallas would be at the bakery, so it’s the perfect time to catch Marvin without her spying on me. I knock at the door and wait.
“Hello, Myer.” Dallas’s mom’s voice drifts through the screen door. “Come on in.”
I walk in to find them seated at the kitchen table.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I start.
“Oh, please. You aren’t interrupting anything. I just ran some sandwiches over for a quick lunch before I head back to the shop. Are you hungry?” she asks.
“No, ma’am. I just wanted to speak to Mr. Henderson for a minute, but since you’re here, I can talk to you both,” I say as I take a seat at the table across from Marvin.
“Oh, really? What’s on your mind?” Dottie asks, her voice pitching a little higher than normal as she glances at her husband and smiles.
I think she’s onto me.
I clear my throat. “Well, sir, I already had a man-to-man talk with Beau, and he gave his permission, but I need your blessing too. I’d like to ask Dallas to marry me,” I spew out, all in one breath.
That was easier to get out than I’d thought.
Dottie brings the back of her right hand to her mouth and covers a small sob. Marvin fixes his eyes on me as he reaches across and takes his wife’s other hand.
He doesn’t say anything for a long time, and I start to get nervous.
“Nothing would make me prouder than to give her hand to you, son. I trust her and Beau to you. I know you’ll love and protect them the way I would love and protect them. That’s all a man can ask for in a husba
nd for his daughter.”
The weight on my shoulders rolls off.
“Thank you, sir. I promise, as long as I have breath in my body, I’ll do just that.”
I stand to shake his hand, and Dottie embraces me.
“I have been praying for you. Since the day she came back home. I didn’t know you were the one until sometime later, but I knew God had a plan for my baby girl.”
“They’re the answer to my prayers too,” I choke out.
“Beau, hurry up and get your boots on. Braxton and Sophie are going to be here any minute,” Dallas calls.
Braxton and Sophie agreed to keep Beau tonight so that I could get Dallas alone. She has no idea that once we leave, they are coming back and helping Momma and Dottie set up a little get-together in the backyard.
Our mothers have been in cahoots for weeks now, planning. Dallas thinks her folks have gone to her dad’s hunting cabin for the weekend. As soon as I text the all-clear, they will get everything set up.
We hear a knock at the door, and Sophie opens it and walks in.
“Where’s my movie partner?” she calls into the house.
Dallas’s head peeks over the loft. “He’s getting his boots on. He’s so excited to be staying with y’all tonight. He’s been bouncing off the walls all day.”
Sophie gives me a secret smile. We both know he’s been excited for totally different reasons. I’m shocked the kid hasn’t exploded from keeping the secret bottled up.
Beau comes bounding into the living room. “I’m ready. Let’s go,” he says as he grabs Sophie’s hand and starts tugging her toward the door.
Dallas comes running down the stairs. “Wait,” she cries. “First of all, don’t pull on Miss Sophie. Second of all, where is your overnight bag?” she asks.
He huffs and scurries back off to his room.
“And you can’t leave without giving your momma a good-bye kiss!” she calls after him. “Should I be offended that he seems like he can’t get away from me fast enough?” she asks.
“Nah. He’s just a kid looking forward to a sleepover. You remember what that was like when we were kids,” I reassure her.
“I guess.” She accepts my explanation.
“Ready!” he announces as he runs back in the room, toting his bag, and skids to a stop at her feet.
She leans down and hugs him tight before kissing him. “You be good tonight and listen to Braxton and Miss Sophie, okay?” she commands.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says quickly before turning to Sophie and taking her hand again.
“I guess that’s my cue. You guys have fun tonight,” Sophie says as she lets Beau lead her out the door.
“So, what’s the plan?” Dallas asks me as she waves good-bye and then shuts the door behind them.
I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her middle. “I’m taking you horseback riding,” I say before I place a kiss on her lips.
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m not a strong rider. I haven’t been on a horse in forever,” she protests.
“That’s okay. I’ll be on the horse with you,” I say.
She relents. “Oh. I thought you were wanting to put me on my own horse.”
I brought Bolt over earlier, and he’s tied in Payne’s barn. Once she’s ready, I fetch the animal and pick her up at the door.
“My chariot,” she breathes as I help her up to sit in front of me.
It’s a beautiful evening. There’s not a cloud in the sky, and moonlight is bathing the path as we ride out into the meadow.
She leans back into me. “This is nice. I’ve never had a boy take me riding on a date before. Are we going to find a spot where we can make out in the woods like teenagers?” she asks as she presses her backside into me.
I groan and scoot back. “Maybe later. Now, behave,” I whisper into her ear.
“You’re no fun,” she says as she giggles.
We ride out to the campsite clearing out by the river. Chairs and food are already set up, courtesy of Walker and Payne.
“Are we camping?” she asks when it comes into sight.
“Not tonight. I just thought it’d be nice to have a picnic out here,” I inform her.
I wanted to bring her here because this is where it all began. A night cuddled up in a tent changed everything.
Thank you, Payne and Charlotte.
We stop, and I dismount and help her down. I pull what I need from the saddlebag, and we take a seat in the chairs sitting by the firepit. I reach in the cooler and grab a beer. I open it and hand it to her.
“Wow, you went out of your way. You know you don’t have to work this hard to impress me. I’m a sure thing. All you have to do is feed me takeout on the couch, and I’m happy,” she says as she grins at me.
“I’m kind of fond of this spot,” I tell her.
She smiles and looks around. “Yeah, me too.”
We enjoy the next hour, eating and drinking. Momma packed us a meal fit for a king. Dallas tells me all about her week at the bakery and about Beau’s report card. Once we finish, I ask if she’s ready to head back.
“How are we getting all this back?” she asks as she stands.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it,” I say as I take her hand and lead her over to the spot where our tent was set up.
I stop and turn her toward the water.
“What’re you doing?” she asks, confused.
I palm the box in my pocket and begin, “This spot right here, this is where everything changed. I felt it that night as I held you and you snuggled in close and let me. The next morning, I knew I was done waiting for you to heal. So, it just feels right to be here when I tell you that, again, I’m done waiting.”
I pull the box out, open it, and lower to one knee.
She gasps.
“Dallas Stovall, I don’t want to waste any more time. I’m ready to build a life with you and Beau. I’m ready to be the husband and father you both deserve because I love you more than I ever thought possible. Will you marry me?”
She just stands there, staring at the ring. Minutes tick by.
“Dal?”
She lifts her tear-filled eyes to me and bites down on her bottom lip. Then, she hiccups and nods.
“Is that a yes?” I ask.
“Yes!” she cries before leaping into my arms.
Whew, thank God.
On the ride back to the house, she’s bouncing with excitement. She can’t wait to get back and call her mom and Sophie.
When we come out of the woods and hit the clearing behind her parents’ house, she hears the music and sees the lights. I hear her breath catch.
“What’s this?” she asks.
“Good thing you said yes, or this would have been awkward,” I say into her hair.
When the gathering comes into sight, we see Beau standing in front of Sophie, and he breaks away and runs toward us. I bring Bolt to a stop and swing her down just as he makes it to us.
“Did you say yes?” he calls as he barrels into her.
She catches and swings him up into her arms.
“I did.” She shows him the ring on her finger.
“I helped pick it out,” he proudly tells her.
“You did?” she asks as she looks over his shoulder to me.
“Yep. It was the prettiest one in the store. Just like you,” he says as he plants a kiss on her cheek.
Catcalls and whistles start sounding, and we hear Walker yell, “Get your asses up here, and let’s celebrate!”
Dallas
One Month Later.
I look out the window of the bakery to the small standing crowd that has gathered at the gazebo.
I only wanted our close friends and family here. Nothing fancy or expensive.
Momma is busy fussing over my hair and lacing flowers through the braid. I’m wearing the simple antique white cap-sleeved gown that she wore the day she married Daddy. It’s retro-cool and Sonia’s mom altered it to fit me perfectly and brought the hem up
to hit just above my knee.
Sophie, Bells, and Charlotte are wearing cornflower blue sundresses. The boys and Beau are all in khakis and blue linen shirts.
The bell chimes above the door as it swings open.
“It’s time,” Daddy says as he peeks his head in.
I take a deep calming breath and nod.
The girls all hurry out ahead of us and take their places beside the men in the gazebo.
Daddy sticks his elbow out for me, and I place my arm in his.
“Ready to do this again, Daddy?” I ask.
“I never truly gave you away the last time, but now”—he looks down at me—”I’m ready to give you to a man who deserves you. You should have the best life, baby girl, and I know in my heart Myer will make sure you have it.”
He leads me out and across the street. Everyone I love is there. Momma, Doreen, Ria, and Beverly are already sobbing.
I try not to look at them because I don’t want to start crying yet.
We make it to the steps of the gazebo and there they are—my boys. Beau is standing at Myer’s side with his hand in his. He breaks away and runs to me.
“You look so pretty, Mommy.”
“Thank you, baby,” I whisper.
He takes my free hand, and Daddy walks us both to Myer.
Reverend Burr looks down for a moment, and then he begins.
“The Bible says in Deuteronomy 30:3: ‘God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places you were scattered.’”
He looks down at Beau and smiles.
“Never have I seen greater evidence of this promise than I do standing before me today. A family is being created, and everything lost restored except better and stronger as God is known to do.”
Daddy kisses my cheek and places my hand in Myer’s, and Beau scoots close to me and wraps an arm around my leg.
I say my vows for the second time in my life, but I know in my heart that this time those vows mean something different to both of us and neither of us will break them.
“I now introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Myer Wilson.”
“And me!” Beau calls.