The engagement of Ace Caldwell to Marisa Foreman surprised exactly no one who knew them. The real surprise came when they waited a year to tie the knot.

But today was the day. Marisa Foreman had joined her life to Ace Caldwell, the man she’d been afraid to hope for. She glanced at her left hand, admiring the wedding ring Ace had slid on her finger, his voice strong and sure as he’d pledged to love and cherish her all the days of her life.

A girl could swoon at hearing words like that from the man she adored.

He stood next to her now, at their reception here at the Calypso Country Club, hand at her waist as if he couldn’t stop touching her. She knew how he felt. Today, he was hers in a new way, and they could touch all they wanted.

Her handsome cowboy looked especially resplendent in a western tux of black jacket, dark jeans and shiny black boots. He made her heart flutter. Dance. Sing. All the mushy clichés she’d read in romance novels. Above the white shirt and silver vest, his green eyes glowed, and she knew the look was for her alone.

Ace’s warm breath brushed against her ear. “Hey, beautiful, the photographer wants you to kiss me. Anyway, I think it was the photographer’s idea. Might have been mine.”

“Brilliant you or brilliant photographer.” Pink bouquet in hand, she put her arms over his shoulders and kissed him. If the kiss went on longer than necessary for a few dozen good photos, neither of them minded. This is where they both belonged.

Ace had given her the time she needed to grow as a woman, as a believer, and to work through the issues that held her bound, and she’d given him time to grow stronger in his sobriety. They’d spent weeks with the pastor in premarital counseling, learning how to be the best mates possible. They’d done it together, side by side, encouraging and loving every step. When Ace had received his two-year sobriety coin, they’d celebrated with a fancy dinner and a concert in Tulsa. Her treat. Now, he was approaching year three. She was proud of him, and very, very proud to be his lady.

She’d also refused to burden Ace with her debts, but now that Chance was teaching again, he’d taken on much of the responsibility. If the hospital bills were far lower than she’d expected, Ace wouldn’t admit to being responsible. God, he’d reminded her, worked in mysterious ways, and if God chose to reduce Chance’s medical bills, who was she to argue?

He was so good to her. Good to her brother, too.

Looking back, she was thankful that Ace had refused to take no for an answer. He’d pushed and persisted and persevered, and in the doing, had given Chance his life back. Her too.

She’d been blinded by her lousy childhood.

Chance still had his struggles, but he was thriving, forging ahead with a future she’d never dreamed possible. He’d taken a few classes to certify in other teaching areas besides coaching and had landed a job teaching math at Calypso High.

She glanced at her brother, handsome in his wheelchair, wearing a dark suit and white shirt, his pink tie matching her wedding colors of pink and silver. His white teeth flashed at something a pretty young woman said. She’d come to the wedding at Chance’s invitation, a good sign that her brother still wielded a powerful attraction to the ladies.

Beside her, Ace fidgeted and, in a low, sexy growl, murmured in her ear, “I’m ready to get out of here.”

The former party animal was eager to ditch the party. So was she. The rest of the Caldwells would feast and dance and celebrate all day. Mr. and Mrs. Ace had a plane to catch. Later. First, Marisa had a surprise for him. She was a little nervous, but excited too. Emily said the plan was perfect.

“Let’s say our goodbyes and go now,” she said.

“See why I married you? You have the best ideas.”

She hoped he’d think the next one was even better.

He took her hand and started the rounds.

The morning wedding had been simple, beautiful and private, the way they both wanted. The reception was something else. Marisa thought half the county must be crowded into the country club ballroom.

When they’d done their best to meet and greet and offer food, drink and an afternoon of entertainment to the guests, they slipped out the side door.

On approaching his black truck, Ace froze and perched both fists on his hips. “Add another stop at the car wash.”

She laughed. “I like it.”

Someone had decorated the vehicle with happy faces, kissing lips, funny advice, and pink balloons. A Just Married sign dangled from the tailgate.

“Come to think of it, so do I. I want the whole world to know you finally married me.” Keys in hand, he pressed the remote and unlocked.

Marisa made her move, scooting in between him and the door. She held her hand out for the keys. “Go around, cowboy, I’m driving.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Are we going to have our first fight on our wedding day?” She cocked her head, smiling when she said it.

“Why?”

“Because I have a surprise for you. Please. With sugar on top.”

He released the keys. “Never could resist a surprise. Or sugar.”

He smooched her forehead and jogged to the passenger side.

She slid into the driver’s seat and drove them toward the Triple C. Ace held her hand across the console and muttered about how much he missed bench seats. So did she. She’d love to be snuggled at his side.

They talked about the wedding, the guests who’d come, the beautiful array of gifts, but mostly, they gloated in the moment.

They passed the big house where they would live after the honeymoon. Ace shot her a questioning look but she only smiled and kept her secret. She was excited and a little nervous but desperate to give something special and memorable to the man who’d done so much for her.

When they reached the entrance to the white gate bearing the Triple C brand, Ace turned toward her, his expression soft. “The Sanctuary.”

“Do you mind?”

In answer, he got out and opened the gate and then rejoined her in the truck. She drove them deeper into the preserve, parking where he’d parked that first time more than a year before. They exited the vehicle, and Marisa stood beside her husband in the sun-speckled copse of trees, breathing in the hallowed, floral-scented air.

Like the first time, birds dipped and darted amidst the trees while others serenaded the quiet.

They didn’t speak. The moment seemed too special, too holy. It was a beautiful thing to be one with this man who understood her like no other. He would know why they were here.

Smiling, she took his hand and led him toward the chapel and the place where his parents had been laid to rest.

She stopped beside the gravestone and crouched to place her bouquet there.

“Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell, today I married your son, and I’ve come to ask your blessing.” The white doves, cast in eternal devotion, stared back at her as if listening. “I wish you were here to see what a wonderful man he is, and I want you to know how loved he will be by his new wife.”

She glanced up at her husband, and his glassy eyes touched a place in her heart. He was touched, too, and pleased.

Ace went to a knee beside her and clutched her hand. “Mom and Dad, I love this woman. She means the world to me. That she would plan to bring me here on our wedding day shows you what kind of woman she is. Mom, she’s a lot like you, I think, generous, kind-hearted and independent. When she loves, she means it. So do I.” He reached out, traced his father’s name. “Dad, if I can be half the man you were…”

Marisa put her fingers over his. “You are. Oh, my husband, you are.”

For several moments, they remained kneeling, contemplative and prayerful though not in a formal way. When Marisa rose, Ace rose with her. They turned to face each other. As they’d done in the church earlier that day, they joined hands.

Marisa, chest bursting with joy and love, spoke first, letting out the private words meant only for him.

“I don’t have riches to bring to this marriage, but I give you what I have. My heart. My loyalty. My future. This moment here in this special place with your parents…” Her eyes drifted to the white doves, then back to her handsome husband. “Today, in front of your parents, on this holy ground, I embrace you and all that your family stands for. Your traditions, your faith, the things that matter to you. I freely, joyfully, totally commit everything I am to you.”

Ace brought her hands to his mouth and kissed each knuckle. Her whole body tingled from the tenderness. His gaze, green as the elm leaves, held hers while he spoke.

“And I freely share everything with you, Mrs. Caldwell, and embrace all that is you. Beautiful, warm-hearted, generous you. You make me better, make me want to be the man I see in your eyes. Thank you for this. I can’t begin to express what coming to the Sanctuary on this day means to me. But you knew.” He kissed her gently, sweetly. “You knew this would mean more than all the fancy weddings in the world. I love you even more because of it.”

That was exactly what she’d planned. To see him fulfilled, the way he’d fulfilled her.

“Once, in this very place, you said you wanted the kind of love your parents had. I promise that to you, my Ace of hearts. I will be the wife you need and want, devoted forever and beyond.”

“And I promise the same to you with my parents as our witnesses.”

“I think they know, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes. They know. I feel them here.”

He gave a contented sigh and turned them toward the stone. The white doves, faithful and true, seemed to smile, and Marisa was sure she heard the quiet whisper of heavenly blessing.