Chapter 16 #2
She turns and points. He’s in the gazebo with his back to us, looking out at the frozen lake. Heaters are everywhere, keeping it warm out here, not making it feel like Wyoming in January.
I make my way to the gazebo, and he turns when I get close, wearing his emotion on his face. Our eyes lock on each other as I make my way up the steps and he reaches out for me. “Wife.”
“Husband.”
We stand looking at each other as if we’re not real. Finally, he says, “I have something for you.”
My eyes widen in surprise as he pulls out a velvet box from his pocket. “Tucker brought this back from Jackson for me this afternoon, and it almost didn’t make it in time. I had it resized for you, and it wasn’t ready before the wedding. But I have it for you now.”
I cover my mouth. “Ollie...”
He nods. “Only the best for you, Poppy. I love you. I know we agreed to pretend. And if that’s all you can give me, I’ll take it. But I’m not pretending with my love for you. I love you and I always will, Poppy Grace Kendrick.”
He opens the box, and it’s a beautiful gold ring set in an antique-style band, its large diamond sparkling. I freeze when I realize it is his grandma Wilder’s ring.
“Is that?” My hand goes to my mouth in surprise.
He nods. “It was my grandma’s. Cami and I both agreed that it would be perfect for you.”
“It’s exquisite,” I tell him, as he slides it on my finger. “And on their anniversary.”
He leans down and kisses me softly, like he’s savoring it. Like he already knows this moment matters.
“Yes,” he murmurs. “It’s a very special day.”
My heart is pounding so hard I’m not sure how it hasn’t given me away already. It thuds against my ribs, loud and frantic, like it’s trying to escape. My throat tightens, heat rushing up my neck, my eyes burning suddenly and I have to say it. I have to.
It just spills out of me, driven by nerves and adrenaline and the dizzying feeling that I’m standing on the edge of something that could change everything.
“I don’t want to pretend, Ollie,” I blurt.
The words hang there, terrifying and fragile.
My breath comes out shaky. My nose stings. My vision blurs just enough that I have to blink hard to keep it together. I feel exposed, like I just cracked my chest open and handed him my heart without a second thought.
“I love you.”
Saying it aloud is like stepping off a cliff and finding solid ground instead of air. Fear and giddiness crash together in my chest, followed by a rush of relief so strong it almost makes my knees weak.
Whatever happens after this, whatever comes next, I don’t have to carry it alone anymore.
And for the first time, that feels more hopeful than terrifying.
Relief fills his face, and he kisses me again, holding me close as if he’s afraid to let me go. “I love you so much, Poppy,” he says as he peppers my face with kisses, and I laugh.
“Today is real,” I tell him, our hands still together.
He smiles. “I love you. Always you.”
“Always you,” I repeat.
“Are you ready to go to our reception, Mrs. Kendrick?” he asks as he rests his forehead on mine.
“Let’s do this,” I tell him. “If we don’t hurry, Owen is going to start a riot because he can’t eat yet.”
“This is gorgeous,” Ollie says in awe as we walk over to the arch, where Violet stands, microphone in hand.
“Are the bride and groom ready?” she asks.
“We are,” we say as he holds my hand. I keep holding my hand out and looking at the ring and grinning at Ollie.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen. I have a very special couple to announce to you. A whole family, to be exact. Let me be the first to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick!”
Everyone stands and claps and cheers as we make our way down a faux candlelit walkway.
We stop at the end, and he reaches down under my bottom, picks me up effortlessly, and spins me before sitting me down to kiss me in front of everyone as they cheer.
“That doesn’t look pretend,” Cami whispers smugly.
“Hey,” Ollie says with a look. “That’s my real wife you’re talking about.”
Cami smiles and nods with approval. “I love you guys.”
Theresa is standing off to the side, looking into the distance, more like a distant relative or friend than the groom’s mother. She doesn’t even look happy, which confuses me. She glares at everyone and shakes her head, her arms folded across her chest. She clearly doesn’t want to be here.
“Hi, Theresa,” I call as she looks at us, her eyes narrowing.
“Congratulations,” she says coldly.
If it bothers Ollie, I can’t tell because he doesn’t show a reaction. He says, “Thanks.”
We make our way down the receiving line, talking and hugging everyone as we get to the tent and find our seats at the front of the tent, which is decorated in cozy twinkle lights, hearts everywhere, and a heated floor to dance on, which is impressive.
The temperature feels perfect, even though we’re next to a lake in the middle of winter.
Violet and Walker really outdid themselves.
Owen sits with Maggie at the table in front of us and waves. “Can we eat now?” he mouths and points to the buffet line.
I laugh and wave to him to go, and he scrambles to the front of the line.
Ollie glances over and squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back.
We both look over when we hear something and see Cami and their mom talking in the corner.
I can’t see Cami’s face because her back is to us, but I see Jack go to Cami and put his arm around her.
Whatever is said must not make Theresa happy because she turns and leaves, and I watch her walk out as if she’s going home.
Cami turns, and her face is neutral. Jack slides his hand in hers protectively and pulls her close, kissing her forehead.
I don’t know what just happened, but it didn’t look good.
“Hey, baby,” Ollie whispers.
“Yeah,” I whisper back.
“You got that lingerie on?” he says in my ear, and warmth pools in my core.
“Yes, you want to take it off later?” I whisper back, and his eyes darken when he smirks.
“You can count on it,” he says and kisses me. “Be careful, or we’ll leave right now.”
I playfully swat him. “We’re not leaving our reception.”
We eat excellent steak, every delicious side dish you can imagine, and then the best cake I’ve ever had in my mouth. It’s a traditional vanilla cake with buttercream icing, which she knows Ollie and I love. It’s a special day I’ll never forget, surrounded by the people we love.