Epilogue
Adam tugged at the bow tie, desperately trying to find relief for the swelling of emotion clogging his throat. He stood in the middle of a circle of friends and family, all eyes on him and awaiting his bride. His brother, Levi, stood behind him.
Magic had transformed Clapton Field. Wrought iron lanterns hung from poles around the rim of the circle and down the two aisles leading to the arbor in the center. Twinkle lights decorated the arbor, although they weren’t quite visible with the sun still up. Sunset seemed the appropriate moment for them to pledge their life together in front of the town, and Clapton Field seemed the perfect venue. Their words echoing up into the twilight sky.
Levi placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. The movement calmed Adam slightly, but he knew everything would return tenfold when Emily appeared. She should be arriving any minute, Peyton and Mel accompanying her. The only missing piece was Emily’s sister, Sofie, who was unable to make it at the last minute, due to an emergency with her husband.
Several high school students sat off to the side playing classical pieces he recognized although couldn’t name to save his soul. It was Emily’s idea to include them. In fact, she’d included half the town in some form or another. Polly would be doing a reading, the Wagon Train was catering, except for cookies, the same ones Polly had given him, that Peyton had produced in droves to feed the army of people who were witnessing their commitment tonight.
The sounds of a vehicle reached him, and his throat swelled even more. The past year was everything and nothing he could have hoped for. Emily and he working together to forge a future that was based on a solid foundation of love and respect and trust. The Bureau of Land Management, specifically for the Wild Horse program, had hired him. Roundups across the state took him away a couple times a year but he mainly commuted to Cheyenne. Of course Shelby still wrangled work from him from time to time, usually when a stubborn horse needed someone to straighten it out.
Together they’d built a foundation strong enough to overcome their pasts. Today would be another step on the path that began in this field that fateful Friday night.
Emily’s truck pulled through the tree line and stopped next to the far aisle. Peyton and Mel got out, each wearing a yellow dress with white ribbons. The string players switched songs to something slower and Mel started down the aisle, followed by her mother. Peyton met his gaze and smiled encouragingly.
The wedding march sounded, and all eyes shifted back up the aisle. Adam tugged again at the necktie, then clasped his hands together in front of him and squeezed. Emily stood there, a vision in white. The dress long and simple, the sleeves sheer and elegant. The fabric pouring over her body like a waterfall. Everything complementing her beauty. Her brown hair was swept to the side and anchored with a simple yellow flower. The same flowers interspersed in her bouquet along with white ones.
Even across the distance, everything centered as Adam met her gaze, Emily’s love shining through. She glided toward him, the steps assured and steady. As she passed town members, the quiet shock registering on some of their faces told Adam his bride-to-be had a surprise up her sleeve.
She smiled brilliantly as she came up to him and winked. She did a complete 180, and Adam saw her little treat. The entire back of her dress was open. Just like the shirt she wore the first night they met. A row of flowers crossed the base of her spine. It was a work of art, simple and refined, and she was the canvas.
He let desire deepen his expression, and as they joined hands, Emily responded with a similar look. She mouthed the word “Later” and squeezed his fingers. At that moment he looked up to the sky and said a small prayer to Drew for leading him to this most precious of gifts. Emily dipped her head as his gaze came back to her angelic face, and he knew she was thinking the same thing.
When the moment came, Adam’s voice had never sounded more firm or sure. “I, Adam, take you, Emily…”
…
Some of the guests trickled out of the senior center. The night had deepened into morning and Emily imagined the town of Fly Creek might be a little cranky come alarm time. She floated on a sea of love and hope and contentment. The day, the ceremony, the reception were everything she’d wished they could be. Adam hadn’t left her side since she joined him in the field, his hands routinely finding a way to stroke her bare back. Sometimes in blatant arousal and sometimes it seemed just to reassure himself she was there. She understood. Their journey seemed surreal at times and insurmountable at others and yet here they were. Husband and wife and ready to embark on the next stage of living their happy and fulfilled life.
She remembered the first night they danced, how his hands so strong and secure assured her she was taking the right step. Now they held her with care and concern and love, still strong and secure, and she knew anything was possible with this man by her side.
She noticed Peyton on the dance floor twirling Mel around and around, Polly and Shelby watching from the side, heads bent together in serious discussion. At least she didn’t need to be worried they were discussing her. She loved all four of them fiercely, but they were a force to be reckoned with. Emily turned toward Adam who was in deep conversation with a sheriff deputy.
“I’m sorry, Tony, will you excuse us? I need to whisk my husband outside under the stars for a moment.”
Tony grinned and waved them away. Emily led Adam through the back doors and around to the side of the center.
“Under the stars, huh? Hey, I’m game, although I have a feeling we might be a little more exposed than you anticipated.” Adam pointed to an upstairs window where Polly and Shelby looked out nosily.
She smiled. “Do you know what those two were so intent about tonight?”
“It seems Peyton has become a target. Apparently seeing us deal with our pasts has given them the urge to make Peyton deal with hers.”
“Better her than us.” Emily gave them a little wave and tugged Adam farther down the building.
“As much as I totally want to relive our first night under the stars, what I really want to do is go home.”
Adam stopped, forcing Emily back against him. “Home, huh?”
He placed a kiss on her exposed neck sending delightful flashes of heat throughout her body.
Emily turned in his arms. “Yeah, home. I believe there are a few rooms that might not have been christened properly yet.”
Adam ran his hands up and down her sides. “Christened properly? Sounds like water needs to be involved. Skinny dipping on my wedding night sounds pretty darn awesome.”
She laughed and kissed him.
Pulling gently away, she led him to her truck. She opened the door and turned, gripping Adam’s hips. “Skinny dipping first.”
Adam traced her face, and Emily caught his hand and brought it to her lips, placing a kiss on each finger.
“I thank God for these every day,” she said. “They’re the first thing I noticed about you.”
“The first thing?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.
“Well, maybe it was the dimples.”
He flashed them expertly, and she melted against him.
“Do you want to know the first thing I noticed?”
She stared into his eyes remembering that first day in the store.
“What?” she whispered.
“You. All I saw was you.”
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