On the first Saturday in May, when Renegade Ridge was painted in the pastel colors of spring, family and friends were gathered for Vanessa and Jake’s wedding day. For weeks now, Jake, Tucker and many others had been working hard under Vanessa’s watchful eye to construct a gazebo that transformed the backyard into the perfect place to celebrate their nuptials. The florist had been at the ranch for the past two days busy arranging potted ferns, and fig trees that created an outside border for the rows of white folding chairs. That morning they had finished placing an array of white and yellow flower arrangements here and there that matched the forsythia that Jake’s mother had planted years ago along the sides of the ranch house.

Vanessa’s heart raced as her mother buttoned up her ivory lace dress that had been perfectly tailored to accentuate her curves then adjusted her waist-length veil. With it, she wore Eleanor Morrow’s engagement ring and a new strand of pearls she had purchased to match the pearl earrings borrowed from her mother. A satin garter with blue ribbing adorned her leg beneath her wedding dress just above a pair of new cowgirl boots.

Moments later, after her mother had handed Vanessa her bouquet and taken her seat on the front row near the gazebo, she stepped out on the back porch and waited for the small ensemble to start The Bridal Chorus. She could see Jake standing in front of the gazebo wearing a stylish black tuxedo with his hands clasped together in front of him. Tucker, his best man, was by his side. Heather, her maid of honor, was standing across from the men in a pale-yellow dress stitched with the lace pattern that matched Vanessa’s bridal gown. Her father walked out on the porch behind her and offered his arm. She laid her hand in the crook of his elbow and stepped down the stairs of the porch as the music started. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Apollo running up, but he stopped and wagged his tail. Even Apollo was on his best behavior that day.

Vanessa heard her father say, “You look beautiful. Almost as beautiful as your mother did on our wedding day.” He must have sensed she was a bit nervous when he whispered, “You’re doing fine. Just put one foot in front of the other,” as she glided over the white linen runner that had been rolled out between the chairs. Before she knew it, he was kissing her on the cheek, and Jake stepped forward to take her arm.

Jake’s heart was beating like a tom-tom in his chest, he had never seen a woman more beautiful, and now she was going to be his, all his. He swallowed hard, took her arm and turned to help Vanessa up the stairs of the gazebo where the Methodist minister from the church he had attended as a boy nodded and smiled at them.

Vanessa and Jake stood before the minister and said their vows, stumbling over words and nervous with anticipation, but blissfully happy to finally become man and wife. After a long kiss, the ensemble began the processional while Jake and Vanessa rushed back over the white runner as guests tossed rice at them and cheered.

A few minutes later they posed for pictures and cut their wedding cake as the ensemble played old favorites and new ones. After their special dance, Jake was met by an old friend who extended his palm and said, “Congratulations, Jake. Your parents and your grandfather would have been so happy for you.”

“Thanks, Mr. Anderson. I trust that you and your wife will enjoy expanding your ranch and hope everything goes well with the projects you have in mind. I want to thank you too for allowing us to have our wedding and reception before you rented out the house,” Jake told him.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Mr. Anderson said as he was joined by his wife, Betty.

Vanessa and Betty had grown close too, over the last months. She had shared several recipes with Vanessa, and in return, Vanessa had found her a new Airedale puppy that looked just like the one Betty had when she was young. Vanessa stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek saying, “Thanks so much for catering the reception for us. Everything turned out lovely… I’m very pleased.”

“Well, you’re welcome as welcome can be. You know, Vanessa, you’ve become the daughter I never had,” Mrs. Johnston gushed wiping away a tear with the tissue she already had in her hand.

The bride and groom returned to the festivities, enjoying being in the place where they had fallen in love one last time. They had packed and were ready to move into Vanessa’s house on the other side of the county. Part of the money Jake had received from selling the ranch had gone toward paying off Kessler, and they had put the vet practice on the market, so they were both hopeful that soon Kessler would be completely out of their lives.

Today, Jake and Vanessa had not a single care in the world. They were each content to just enjoy the day and one another as they sipped champagne and laughed with the friends they soon would leave behind.

Then several guests turned when they saw a cloud of dust and a red pick-up come to a stop near the barn. Vanessa peered over to see who it was and watched as Jake ran over to the truck and pulled open the door. Tucker had broken away from the crowd and was rushing toward the truck too. “I’ll be damned,” Tucker shouted.

Randy jumped to the ground. Jake and Tucker heard him say, “I’m sorry I’m late.” Jake embraced the young man, glad to see he was well, as Randy continued, “I’m sorry I missed the wedding. I got hung up in traffic and was lucky to even get here by now, but I couldn’t miss saying congratulations and telling the two of you, goodbye.” Then he peered around, scouting out the crowd. With a puzzled look on his face, he asked, “Where’s Vanessa?”

Vanessa had walked around on the other side of the truck wanting to surprise him, “Boo…here I am!” She hugged Randy too. Remembering the last time she had seen him… a bloody mess. “You look fantastic,” Vanessa said.

“Thanks. I’m doing good. I’m so lucky even to be here. I might not be, if not for you,” Randy said giving Vanessa a peck on the cheek.

“Is this the first time you’ve been back?” Jake asked.

“Yes. I had to do some online classes to graduate on time after I cut up my leg, but I got them done. I was afraid I wasn’t going to make fall term, but I somehow managed to do it. Mom and Dad are kinda bummed about me being all the way over in Fayetteville, but I love it.

“I know it’s a lot of fun being an Arkansas Razorback… believe me, I loved it. But, just don’t forget to visit them often, Randy. Your parents love you. Besides how many guys out there have a dad cool enough to be named Digger Graves? Randy laughed and nodded. “Alright, well you best go find you a plate before all the food is gone,” Jake suggested

Later that day, just before they drove away from the ranch for the last time, Jake pulled a hand-saw out of the toolbox of the truck and cut down the wooden sign branded with Renegade Ridge. Love it or hate it, Jake knew the ranch had been such a large part of his life there was no way he was going to leave the sign to be removed by the new owners eventually. Hours later, they were in a rented car headed toward the airport for their honeymoon on a Florida beach that would signify the end of one life and the beginning of a new one for the two of them. By the time a week was past, and it was time to return home, they had rented a house along a canal that led out to the ocean and were making plans for their final move.

****

A month later when they arrived at the freshly painted rent house, Jake was surprised by a small sailboat in need of a few repairs was tied to the pier behind their new home. Vanessa held his hand and tugged at him to walk closer down the path to the canal’s edge. She took a deep breath. “Well, do you like it?”

With a smile growing wider on his face Jake asked, “Is it ours?”

“It is.” She nodded.

“But how?” Jake rushed toward the pier and jumped aboard… steadying himself as the small boat swayed back and forth.

Walking close behind him she explained, “You aren’t the only one capable of calling ahead and making arrangements. I sold the camper to the vet over in the next county as a backup unit and used some contacts I know down here to find it. It needs work, but I know you, you’ll only love it more after you get your hands on her… sailor!”

Jake held out his hand to help her onto the deck. Vanessa sank into a teak deck chair and watched as Jake inspected it from the bow to stern; touching the rigging, running his hand over the small helm, and opening and closing the storage compartments. He finally nodded, parsed his lips and declared, “She’s sturdy.”

“I say we christen it.”

Jake stood for a moment with one arm crossed over his chest, his fingers stroking his chin. “Miss Indomitable…that’s her new name…. Just like you! You’re the bravest person I’ve ever known, Vanessa. One of the many reasons I fell in love with you.”

That evening, they made love out on the deck beneath the moonlight. Afterwards, they cuddled while enjoying the gentle sway of the boat as the small ripples caused by a gentle breeze kissed the sides.