Chapter Twenty-SevenCowboy Wedding #2
But it's her expression that nearly brings me to my knees.
The panic upstairs in the bathroom is gone, replaced by a mix of pure joy and conviction.
She's looking straight at me like I'm the only person in the room.
Her father walks beside her, and I can see the exact moment he transitions from protective dad to proud father giving away his daughter.
When they reach the altar, he shakes my hand vigorously.
"Take care of her, son," he says quietly, and there's no threat in it---just a father's love wrapped up in four simple words.
"Yes, sir. You have my word."
I offer my arm, and Jo accepts it. The moment her fingers curl around my elbow, the world settles back into place. All the nervous energy that's been eating me alive for the past hour just... disappears.
"You look like a fairy-tale cowboy." She roves her gaze over me, admiring my pressed suit with obvious appreciation. "Almost didn't recognize you without hay in your hair."
"Jo, you..." My voice fails me completely. I clear my throat and try again. "Jo, you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Her cheeks flush pink, but she doesn't look away. "Told you it was worth the wait."
Pastor Williams clears his throat gently, and we both turn to face him, though I can't seem to stop stealing glances at Jo.
The way the light catches in her hair, the slight tremor in her hands as she grips her bouquet, the freckles across her nose that she didn't bother to hide with makeup because she knows I love them.
"Dearly beloved," Pastor Williams begins, his voice carrying through the transformed hotel lobby. "We are gathered here today..."
I try to focus on his words, I really do, but Jo is standing beside me, and my brain can't seem to hold on to anything except the vision of her.
I catch fragments of the pastor's speech---something about love and commitment and the joining of two souls---but all I can focus on is the woman at my side and the miracle that she's about to become my wife.
When it comes time for the vows, Jo turns to face me fully. Her green eyes are bright with unshed tears, but her voice is steady.
"I never thought I'd be here," she begins, and the raw honesty in her voice makes my throat tighten. "Standing in fancy shoes, wearing silk, promising forever to a man who once told me my roping technique needed work."
A ripple of laughter moves through the crowd, and I can't help but grin. That particular conversation had ended with her dumping a water bucket over my head.
"But here's the thing about you, Clay McKendrick---you never let me settle for good enough. You push me to be better, stronger, braver than I thought I could be. And somehow, you make me want to be soft too. You taught me to trust in something bigger than just myself."
She pauses, and I watch a single tear escape down her cheek. I want to reach out and brush it away, but I can't move an inch.
"Clay, I promise to love your stubborn streak, even when it drives me crazy. I promise to support your dreams, even the ones that scare me. And I promise to never, ever let you win a race just because we're married."
The laughter bubbles up in the crowd, and even Pastor Williams cracks a smile. Jo's grin is pure teasing now, and I shake my head at her while smiling.
"My turn?" I ask, and she nods, biting her lip in the cutest way. "Jolene Callahan, you stole my heart the first time I saw you in Tampa. Your hat was askew, your boots were muddy, and you were yelling at a judge who made a bad call. I thought, 'Now there's a woman who knows her own mind.'"
Jo's eyes sparkle with the memory, and I can see her fighting to maintain her composure.
"I didn't plan on falling in love with the most stubborn woman in three states. I didn't plan on spending half my life arguing about proper rope technique or whose turn it is to feed the horses. But darlin', I wouldn't trade a single second of it."
My voice hitches, and I take a deep breath before continuing.
The entire room has gone silent, hanging on every word.
"Jolene Callahan, I promise to stand beside you in the winner's circle and pick you up when you fall.
I promise to respect your independence while offering my strength whenever you need it.
And I promise that even on the days when we're both too stubborn to back down, I'll still choose you every single time. "
I reach out and touch her cheek, brushing away a tear with my thumb. "You're my best friend, my toughest competition, and the only woman who's ever made me want to be worthy of a happy ending."
Jo's composure finally cracks, and she lets out a watery laugh that's half sob. "Damn it, Clay, you're going to make me ruin my makeup."
"Language," Pastor Williams chides gently, but his eyes are twinkling.
"Sorry, Pastor."
The ring exchange goes smoothly---thank God, because my hands are shaking so badly I'm surprised I haven't dropped the damn thing. When I slide the simple gold band onto Jo's finger, she stares down at it like she can't quite believe it's real.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Montana," Pastor Williams continues, his voice placid but his eyes sparkling, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." He hesitates, glancing between us with a knowing smile. "Clay, you may kiss your bride."
I don't need to be told twice. I slide my arm around Jo's waist, pulling her close as she rests her hands on my chest. For all her tough talk and competitiveness, the way she melts against me makes my heart fill up with a joy I've never experienced before.
"Hi, wife," I whisper.
"Hi, husband," she whispers back, and then I'm kissing her.
Time slows down as I cup Jo's face in my hands.
Her eyes meet mine, but only for a moment.
Then, I press my lips to hers and kiss Jo like it's the first time.
I lean in, brushing my lips against hers softly at first, then with growing ardor as her arms wind around my neck.
The crowd erupts in cheers and whistles, but all I can feel is Jo---the silk of her dress beneath my hands as they move to her waist, the subtle scent of wildflowers in her hair, the smile I can feel against my lips as she kisses me back with enough passion to make Pastor Williams clear his throat.
"Mrs. McKendrick," I whisper against her lips.
"That's me," she whispers back.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Pastor Williams announces, clearing his throat with the practiced timing of a man who's seen many newlyweds get carried away, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Clay McKendrick!"
The string quartet launches into an upbeat number as Jo and I turn to face our cheering families.
We make our way back down the aisle, and I can't stop stealing glances at her profile.
The happiness radiating from her is almost tangible, like heat from a summer sun. My wife. Jolene Callahan is my wife .
"Can we go home yet?" I whisper.
"Not yet, cowboy. We need to sign the papers first."
The next hour passes in a blur of congratulations, champagne toasts, and more hugs than I've received in the last decade combined. Jo stays glued to my side, her fingers laced through mine like she's afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
No chance of that. I found my best friend, my soul mate, the only woman who could ever make my heart race just from seeing her smile. I will never let her go. That's what a fairy-tale ending means---happy ever after.