Epilogue
T heir wedding was far different than most. Well, maybe not that different. They were married in a church. Vicky’s father proudly gave her away, their siblings were all wedding attendants, and both their mothers cried.
There was little danger of anything going wrong at the wedding, since the attendees included deputy sheriffs, police from the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, and plenty of agents.
Nothing went wrong. It was a simple and beautiful service.
Vicky had wondered if it would make a difference; they’d lived together from the second day they’d met.
And yet it did. They’d written their own vows, and she knew, as they spoke, that they were truly joined for life, and it was a beautiful feeling. Her “cowboy” was someone who respected her for her abilities, loved her for her strengths and weaknesses, and was the rare and unique human being who had no problem letting her be her. And it was incredibly nice, too, that their families were both so happy. She even found it amusing their mothers were whispering about just how happy they were—they’d been afraid there might never be that right person for their incredibly dedicated and complicated children.
She could never put her finger on exactly what it was, but when they said their vows, it was just there, that beautiful feeling, knowing ever more surely that she loved and was loved in turn.
It was the reception that was a bit different. They held it at the Anderson family ranch. They arranged for pony rides for the little kids, with Adrien’s nephews happy to be in charge.
They had gotten a large tent from the caterer in case of the rain that so very often came in the afternoons. But even the weather seemed to want the day to go perfectly for them.
Their guests were spectacular, too. All were so different, all so fascinated by one another.
But there was one thing Vicky wasn’t about to let go. She’d made a few arrangements that were going to be a surprise for Adrien.
She’d hired a band, but the band knew what was happening.
And after they’d cut the cake, she made the announcement.
“And now, dear friends and family, we have a special treat; I bring to you two new members of the band, my very new husband and his dear friend, Mike Buffalo, bringing back the music of their youth!”
“What?” Adrien protested.
But Mike was laughing. “Get up there, you!” he said to Adrien.
“Only if Hank comes up, too, and my beautiful bride chimes in!” Adrien said, staring at Vicky.
“Um . . .”
“Classic rock!” Hank called out as they went up. They all went up. And within an hour, most of the guests were singing. Lance Panther proved his part, grabbing Vicky for a rendition of “Stop Dragging My Heart Around.” But the best was in the end when Adrien, the agent, the cowboy, proved his lighter side and chimed in to sing at last, his number specifically for her, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
And then they were off . . .
They were headed for a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas.
And that would be fun.
But the greatest thing would be that it wouldn’t matter when the cruise was over.
Because she’d be spending the rest of her life with him.