Chapter 13
Chapter thirteen
Cooper
“She’s late,” I grumble.
“Did you expect anything less?” My father chuckles. “That girl will be late to her own funeral.”
“Can we not talk about her dying.” I eye him, tugging at the silver chain around my neck.
For some reason I’m nervous. Like she might change her mind and run. Try to handle this on her own like she does most things.
Like changing three tires on a trailer in the middle of the night coming back from San Antonio.
Or like when she tried to put the fire out at the farmhouse with just a flimsy garden hose.
I’d never been so fucking scared in my entire life when I saw her running toward those flames. Trying to save my family home.
I blow out a breath, my pulse jumping when the doors to the courthouse open. My mother leads the group, then she steps aside, holding the door open with a bright smile. Ivy enters first, followed by Ari, and then….my girl.
Dakota enters the room, a short white sundress hitting mid thigh. Her tan legs are visible, but barely because a pair of turquoise cowboy boots hit just below her knee. Her long dark hair is in lose curls, and her lips are painted a soft pink.
Her smile grows when she struts to me. “You ready to do this, cowboy?”
My neck feels hot. My shoulders tense.
She’s absolutely stunning. Ryder slaps me on the back, so I clear my throat and turn on the typical Cooper charm
“Ready and willing, darlin.” I hold out my elbow.
The banter has always been easy between us. Natural. Sometimes flirty, but never beyond a simple tease. She may think I’m kidding most of the time, but truth is, I’m not.
“Right here.” I open a mahogany door, leading us into the office, leaving the rest of my family to wait in the area of the courthouse designated for marriages. We had already gotten our license earlier this week, we just needed the officiating to make it legit.
I approach the counter, smiling at the woman in her late sixties. “Cooper Mayson and Dakota Sterling.”
She eyes me through her glasses. “Well didn’t you turn into a handsome young man.”
I give a lopsided smile. “Thanks, Trudy.”
She picks up her desk phone. “Let me just call Ernie.”
Dakota and I stand at the counter as she talks to Ernie in a hushed tone that she thinks we can’t hear.
“Yeah. The Mayson boy.” She pauses. “No, not the mean one.” She glances over at us. “And he’s marrying that girl.”
She holds her hand over the phone, pulling it way from her mouth. “You can head into room three, hon. Ernie will meet you in there. You got a witness, right?”
“Yes ma’am.” I nod.
“Wow,” Dakota says as we leave the office. “That girl. That’s actually one of the kinder descriptions I’ve had.”
“Well Trudy is no innocent herself. It’s been rumored she gets sticky fingers during tithing on Sundays.”
“No way.” Dakota snickers. “Scandalous.”
I motion a hand to the small group we have now hovering in the waiting area. Maddox, Laiken, and her son Trace have now joined.
“Dakota!” Trace shrieks.
Dakota crouches down, her arms open as he launches himself at her. “You look reallllly pretty.”
“Aren’t you the sweetest.” She presses a kiss to his forehead. “You wrangle any horses without me?”
“No.” He leans back and pouts. “Mom won’t let me. She says six years old is too young to be by myself.”
“Well, she’s kind of right.” Dakota tickles his sides. “Plus. I need my partner in crime.” He giggles as Laiken steps forward.
“Alright buddy. Let’s get inside.”
“Y’all go ahead.” I hold open the door as everyone files in, leaving me and Dakota alone in the hallway.
She watches me, her posture a little tense. “You ready for this?”
She nods, her hands wringing together. “I think so.”
Reaching for her hand, I intertwine her fingers with mine. “Keeping my word.”
With a deep breath we enter into the room, slowly walking toward Ernie who stands at a podium. Once we make it to the hypothetical altar, he gives us both a quick glance before he begins the process.
“Join hands please,” he instructs.
I face Dakota, taking her hands in mine. I can tell she’s anxious, so I slide my thumbs back and forth in a rhythmic motion. I’m not really paying much attention to Ernie. I’m focused on those beautiful blue eyes. Those perfect lips.
“Cooper, it’s time for your vows. Repeat after me.” Ernie holds up a hand, but I interrupt.
“Actually, Ernie. I’d like to say my own vows.” I meet his eyes before moving mine back to Dakota.
She looks panicked. “Cooper. I didn’t…” she whispers but I shake my head.
“I wanted to do this.”
I spent all night thinking about this. If this was my only chance to be her husband, I was going to be the best one she ever had. And I may never get the chance to tell her how I feel. Not really.
Ernie gives me the go ahead, so I let mine and Dakota’s eyes latch onto each other again.
“Kota, I vow to always see you. To protect you when you feel vulnerable. To listen to you when you need your voice, and to believe in you when you can’t find the strength to believe in yourself.
I vow to always be your safe place. To be your best friend, and to love you with no conditions.
No boundaries and no expectations. I might not always be perfect, but I sure as shit will never stop trying to be for you. ”
Chuckles filter through the room followed by Trace’s small voice whispering he said a bad word.
When I finish, Dakota’s eyes glisten as she swallows thickly. Her thumbs swipe in tandem with mine, brushing the side of my palms.
Ernie glances at Dakota. “Dakota, your vows.”
She opens her mouth, but closes it when a tear leaks down her cheek. Inhaling deeply, she manages to grab a hold of her voice.
“What he said,” she croaks out.
More chuckles echo through the room again, and Dakota lets out a laugh mingled with a quiet sob. I can’t contain my own laugh as my shoulder shake slightly.
“Well, Dakota. Do you take this man to be your husband?” Ernie asks.
She stares at me, a smile tugging at her lips. “I do.”
“Cooper, do you take Dakota to be your wife?” Ernie addresses me.
“I do,” I answer.
“Do you have the rings?” He asks.
Dakota’s face falls again, realizing the rings are something we didn’t discuss. But I always knew the kind of ring I’d get her one day.
“Sure do.” I reach in my pocket, pulling out the two circular bands.
She narrows her eyes at me, obviously seeing that I went rogue.
Of course I went rogue.
I hold out my hand to Dakota. The simple silver band is etched with a saddle pattern. She holds it in her palm, while Ernie motions to me.
“Dakota. Please place the ring on Cooper’s finger.”
I hold out my left hand as her trembling fingers slide the ring on easily.
I catch her fingers, squeezing her hand lightly before she drops it by her side.
“Cooper. Your ring for Dakota.”
I hold up the princess cut diamond that’s mounted on a matching silver band like mine. It’s a little thicker, the edges decorated in tiny diamond that sparkle in the light.
“Cooper,” Dakota gasps softly.
I take her hand in mine, slipping the ring over her delicate finger. It fits perfect.
Looks perfect.
Her. Wearing my ring.
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Dakota’s eyes widen, as if she had completely forgotten this crucial part of the tradition. But I didn’t forget. I drop her hand, letting my palm lift to slide beneath her hair and around the nape of her neck. Then I do something I’ve wanted to since I was thirteen years old. I kiss her.