Epilogue
Nash stood at the head of the chapel, Pastor Dean at his side, eyeing the group gathered to celebrate their special day. They’d created a rather modest list of guests, consisting mainly of folks right here in town.
Aside from the Copeland crew were the Emersons, who had, in recent years, become like family with as much as they had in common.
Not only had both groups assisted in harboring those in need, but they were also heavily involved in the goings-on around town—the barn raising, the pudding pie party, and holiday events such as the corn maze and, more recently, the Christmas Festival, where the families teamed up with the town’s quilting group to make and sell quilts for a local charity, and boy had Ellie enjoyed that.
Nash and Ellie set the ceremony for the first week in January, a month that reflected fresh starts. Plus, Ellie had said she wanted to be back from their honeymoon in time to take part in the Valentine Barn Raising celebration in town.
A quick look at the front row showed that both Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Jackie had tears welling in their eyes. Grandma C, who was already dabbing her face with tissues, extended the box to the pair.
Jackie gladly accepted while Lloyd simply shook his head and smeared the moisture away with his sleeve.
It wasn't often that Nash let himself think about what it would be like had his parents survived. He couldn't help but wonder if they’d be proud of him at this moment. Perhaps, his mind told him, they were there in spirit. Maybe it was just hopeful thinking, but Nash liked to think that this day would fill them with pride. After all, Nash wanted to create what he'd been given—a wholesome, happy family who’d love and support one another in good times and bad. He’d been blessed to find an exceptional woman who wanted that same thing.
The doors at the back of the chapel opened, the music began to play, and the line of groomsmen and bridesmaids started down the aisle. Wyatt already stood at the front beside Nash as his best man. Groomsmen Rem and Wade stood there, too, and the rest of the lineup would join them shortly.
Cash and Belle were first to tread the path down the center of the chapel while the photographer—a local here in town—snapped pictures. Then came Wes and Taja, who were followed by Thatcher and Abbie, each taking their place at opposite sides of the chapel.
Rosie came next, a smile as wide as her face as she dipped into a heart-shaped basket filled with bright red petals. She sprinkled them over the runner as the flashbulbs popped.
At last, the song changed, the audience came to their collective feet, and Nash felt his heart go into overdrive. He stared at the far entry, anxious to watch his bride walk down that aisle.
The moment she stepped through the door, Nash felt his breath hitch. His heartbeat became a stampede of wild horses, ready to run the distance for the woman before him.
Ellie searched over the heads of the crowd until her blue eyes settled on him. She smiled rather bashfully, and a bolt of lightning shot straight to his knees.
With Geneva at her side, Ellie took long, determined strides away from her past and into a future with him. A future they would build together, and Nash mused he'd never felt so blessed.
He sniffed back tears of his own, overwhelmed with gratitude and love for his bride, love that sparked a fierce devotion he knew would last his whole life long. It was just how he’d been built. Nash was made to love Eleanor Blaire, and he’d do so until the day he died.
Once they’d closed the distance, Geneva placed Ellie’s hand in his, then paused to cover the grip with her palm.
She locked eyes with Nash and gave him a knowing look—a look that seemed to acknowledge that Ellie hadn't been protected by those meant to care for her, and though Ellie was strong and had done a fine job of taking care of herself, she deserved to have a partner who put her needs above their own.
He nodded at Geneva in return, his silent promise; Nash would do that very thing.
Pastor Dean greeted the guests and had them take their seats once more.
“I’ve come to know many fine members of the Copeland family over the years,” he said, “and while a few of those members couldn’t be here in the flesh, I believe they’re here with us in spirit.
“I’ve also had the privilege of working side by side on a few service projects with Ellie, and I can boldly say she’ll make a wonderful addition to the Copeland crew.” He went on to share some words on marriage, a few verses from the good book, and then it was time for vows.
Since Ellie had opted to go first, she tugged a slip of paper from the bodice of her dress, unfolded the page, and began to read.
“Nash, when I first showed up at Wild Buck’s Ranch, I had no idea what I was in for.
I planned to stay inside, serve my time, and get out of this town as fast as I could.
But thanks to a little encouragement,” she said with a glance in Geneva’s direction, “I pulled up my bootstraps and made my way to the stables. There, I met a guy who was ankle-deep in horse manure and knee-deep in sass.”
The guests chuckled, and Nash’s cheeks warmed with heat.
“I’ll never forget that first day. The snarky comment about me puckering up, the chagrined look on your face as you apologized, and the time you spent with me afterward, introducing me to Buttercup even though you only wanted to go home.
“I remember thinking you were the most handsome cowboy I’d ever seen. And the more I got to know you, the more I realized that you were just as attractive on the inside.” She locked eyes with him and flashed a grin that Nash felt in his knees.
“You took the time to get to know who I am outside of the movie sets and tabloids. Thank you for that. It was such a rare gift. You also gave me samples of the life I’d been missing out on.
Campfires and starry nights, horseback rides, and family dinners.
Soon, I was falling in love with your family, too. ”
She glanced in their direction, and Nash did the same, emotion welling in his heart as many of them dabbed at tears.
“I fell in love with your cowboy charisma, your country boy manners, and your adventuresome zest for life. Plus, you were good with a lasso.” She giggled as the group did the same.
“When we wound up in tough places, being challenged in ways we never dreamed,” she said, pausing to smear tears from her cheeks, “new sides of you stepped up. You’re a fierce protector, a strong defender, and even better with that lasso than I thought.
Thank you for making me feel safe, loved, and cherished.
I vow to spend the rest of my life making sure you feel equally safe, loved, and cherished in return.
And though I’m excited to find out how our story will end, I promise to savor every page and chapter along the way. ”
“Well,” Nash said while pulling out his notes. He wiped a hand over his forehead. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to match that, but here goes nothing.”
Ellie sniffed back tears as Nash unfolded the paper in his hands. She was glad to have her part of the vows done and couldn’t wait to hear what Nash had written in return. She let herself get lost in those honey-hazel eyes as he continued.
“I once told you that only fools break the rules. In that same conversation, I admitted that breaking a mere five percent of those rules wasn’t such a bad thing so long as it was in the name of a little harmless fun.
“I knew when I signed up to volunteer at Wild Buck’s that I could be asking for trouble. I also knew the action put me directly into the category of fools. But fool or not, I wanted to shoot my shot with a woman I’d already fallen in love with.
“The crazy thing was, from the moment I met you, everything I thought I knew fell away. You weren’t the actress I’d crushed on since I was a kid.
You weren’t the Hollywood star who’d been sent to the ranch to get her act together.
You were someone entirely new, and I couldn’t wait to learn more about you.
“I was blown away by how freely you shared things with me—a longing for a different life, intrigue about the things you’d missed out on, and the simple joy you found in the little things.
I caught myself forgetting that you were America’s Ellie Blaire because you were slowly becoming mine. And honey, I was already yours.”
“I promise to spend my days loyally loving you for who you are—a vibrant, kindhearted, passionate woman who isn’t afraid to fight for what’s right.
I vow to extend that love to the kids God grants us down the line.
I promise countless campfires, endless cuddles beneath the stars, and an eternity of kisses to your heart’s content. ”
He looked up from his notes, and Ellie grinned as she wiped more tears off her cheeks.
“I grow deeper in love with you every passing hour, and though I’m looking forward to all of our tomorrows, I vow to cherish you in every today.”
Nash’s vows gave Ellie wings, she was sure of it.
She flew on the high of those sentiments as they exchanged rings, said ‘I do,’ and enjoyed the traditions she’d always dreamed about.
Her tossing the bouquet, him tugging the garter off her leg and flinging it to the crowd of groomsmen, and the cutting of the cake.
At last, they made their way to the decorated truck over the snow-covered ground, confetti flying from every angle.
“That was perfect,” Ellie declared as Nash got the heat going.
“It sure was.” He tugged a thick, velvety blanket from the backseat, something he’d placed over their luggage, and rested it on her lap. “You warm enough?”
She nodded, glad his truck had a middle seat, and snuggled in closer to him as she pulled the blanket up to her chin. “My husband.”
“My bride,” he returned, lifting his brow. He queued their music mix, then pulled up the navigation app on his phone. “We’re off to our honeymoon destination at last.”