Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
M axwell adjusted his bow tie and smoothed the scarlet cummerbund. He’d once called it red, and Paisley had corrected him. He’d been more careful after that. He studied himself in the full-length mirror and flicked what might have been a piece of lint off his tuxedo’s black sleeve.
Someone tapped at the door, and he turned toward it. “Yes?”
It opened, and Weston and Jude entered, wearing tuxes similar to his. Weston tugged at his tie. “How do you get used to being choked?”
“Choked?” Maxwell laughed and crossed the space. “Let me adjust that thing for you. Paisley tightened it right up?”
Jude snickered. “She’s making sure you remember who’s boss.”
Weston sneered at his brother. “You’re just jealous.”
And Jude actually shut up and turned away. Huh.
“You guys ready?” Maxwell looked between the Kline brothers.
“I guess.”
“Consider it a dress rehearsal for your own wedding. That’s, what, only three months away?”
Weston let out a long breath. “Is that all? I mean, how time drags.”
Maxwell knew what Weston meant. Time was such a weird thing, appearing to speed and linger at the same time. He could hardly believe it had been three months since he’d reconnected with Eryn. She’d come so far — they both had, actually. But she was so much more confident now. It was wondrous and beautiful to see.
Jude checked his watch. “I think we’re supposed to be downstairs in like zero minutes.”
“Is Nana ready?” Weston asked.
Jude nodded. “She was so tickled Mom asked her to stand up with her.”
“What an interesting wedding party.” Maxwell laughed. Keith and Nadine had asked their three kids, then immediately included Maxwell and Paisley. Jude would be paired with his grandmother, but he claimed to be honored rather than insulted.
“Let’s do it.” Weston brushed his hands together. “The sooner we get them hitched, the sooner I can get back in jeans and a Henley.”
“After all the photos and the reception.” Maxwell couldn’t help goading his cousin. It was simply too much fun.
“I’ll talk to Paisley again about eloping. Why does she have to be an event planner, anyway? I can’t believe how extravagant she’s making everything.”
“But you’re getting married here, at the ranch…” How extravagant could it be?
Weston mock shuddered.
“Time.” Jude pointed at the door. “Let’s not be the ones holding up the show.”
Maxwell followed his cousins down the back stairs to the office hallway, where Pastor Marshall Smith from Creekside Fellowship met them. “You boys ready?”
They nodded just as Keith joined them from a side room. The groom looked like he’d been born to a tux instead of to overalls, and the smile on his face could not be contained. He looked around the group. “Is everything running on time?”
“Paisley would have our heads if it wasn’t,” Weston muttered.
Maxwell tried not to smirk, but the truth was, he couldn’t wait for a glimpse of Eryn in her scarlet — not red — gown. Weston might be alternating cold and eager feet, but Maxwell had yet to pop his own question and formalize his relationship with Eryn. Oh, they’d talked about marriage and kids and the pros and cons of living at the ranch versus in town, but always in a hypothetical sense.
Cadence poked her head around to see the men. “I was sent to tell you to make your entrance now.”
Keith nodded and pumped his shoulders. “Let’s do this.” He followed Pastor Smith down the corridor, the younger men behind him, Maxwell sandwiched between Weston and Jude.
The great room had been mounded with greenery and assorted white flowers to offset the bank of leftover Christmas poinsettias, the perfume of them filling the air. Guests, including Maxwell’s parents and aunt and uncle, sat in rows of folding chairs facing the crackling fireplace and the wide windows with their lake view.
Maxwell faced the gathering, but his gaze strayed beyond to the grand log staircase from the second floor. The string quartet’s selection shifted, and Eleanor began her descent of the steps. She might be 77, but she was steady on her feet and elegant in her gown. Jude met her and ushered her to her spot.
Then it was Paisley’s turn. A quick glance to Weston showed the surly cowboy spellbound, his mouth slightly agape as he watched his fiancée.
Maxwell elbowed him lightly and whispered, “Maybe the hoopla is worth it?”
“Maybe,” Weston whispered back then stepped forward to escort her.
And then Eryn stepped into view, and Maxwell forgot to breathe. She was so beautiful in that gorgeous dress. Her hair, like Paisley’s, was in an updo with a few trailing tendrils framing her face. Eryn’s gaze latched onto his, and he couldn’t have stayed standing where he was if his life depended on it.
Thankfully, it didn’t. Thankfully, he’d been ordered to meet her, and he did. She tucked her hand behind his elbow and pressed against him.
“You’re stunning,” he whispered.
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” she whispered back.
Maxwell’s mother glowered at him as they passed her seat, but whatever. He was going to flirt with his girlfriend at her father’s wedding if he wanted to.
All too soon, he left her and crossed to stand in his own assigned spot.
The wedding march began, and Grandfather and Nadine appeared at the top of the stairs. Nadine had opted for a pastel pink gown that coordinated with the other dresses, or so Eryn had explained.
Grandfather had insisted on giving his daughter away, saying he’d missed far too much in her life, including her first wedding. He was going to do it right this time. Part of doing it right seemed to be the flower shop that appeared to have exploded all over the lodge.
Pastor Smith began the ceremony, and Maxwell did his best to focus. He’d paid little attention during Tate’s wedding to Stephanie or during Graham’s wedding to Cadence. It was different today, knowing Eryn. Loving her. Wanting to spend the rest of his life making her happy. Making her his.
Were all wedding sermons based on First Corinthians 13? Maybe Maxwell should ask Pastor Smith if he had another variation. Or would they ask Eli Bryson to marry them? His gaze drifted to Eryn, who appeared to be intent on the officiant.
Focus, Maxwell. Focus.
It seemed no time at all before Keith and Nadine were presented as man and wife and were kissing like teenagers. Good to know passion could still exist in one’s fifties.
There’d be photos and the reception and the dance and then the newlyweds would head for their Hawaiian honeymoon. That chapter would close, and Maxwell would turn the page to a new one.
Eryn sighed against Maxwell as the final notes of music faded away. They stood at the edge of the dance floor, holding each other close. She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek.
She’d never felt safer. More loved. It had been days — weeks, maybe — since she’d thought much about Amelia. Now she was sorry for her sister’s bitterness. Sorry Amelia couldn’t have been present to see how happy their father was with his new love, his new life. Oh, he’d loved Mom, no doubt about it, but he’d gratefully received a second shot at happiness.
“How are you doing?” Maxwell murmured against her hair. “It’s been a busy day.”
“It has.” She exhaled. “Good, though. I’m glad Dad’s so happy.” He and Nadine had headed off not 20 minutes back.
“And you’re moving back into the duplexes.”
Eryn chuckled. “It was nice living in the farmhouse while it lasted, but the newlyweds need their space. Besides, it’s time I left the nest, don’t you think?”
“I definitely agree.” Maxwell’s hands splayed across her back, pressing her against him.
He seemed to be drifting away from the thinning crowd, but she didn’t care. A quieter place to unwind one-on-one would be welcome. But he fumbled with a doorknob behind him and pulled her through, into…
The gift shop? They’d been working in here lately, painting the space and updating the flooring. Jordan was building new shelves, and Eryn had begun ordering stock for the grand reopening in four months.
Now the room was bathed in fairy lights, and soft music played. A bank of flowers filled the area where the pottery display would be, its heady perfume permeating the space.
“This is beautiful.” Eryn looked up at Maxwell, only he wasn’t there, but kneeling before her. She gasped, and her hand covered her mouth.
“Eryn Ann Ralston, I love you with everything in my being. You’ve changed everything about my life in the best possible way. You’ve challenged me to grow closer to God, and you’ve suffused my life with happiness and hope. Would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife? I want to spend the rest of my life beside you, honoring you and loving you.”
He held a ring box toward her. A diamond flanked by two garnets winked up at her.
Was this real? Had her moment finally come? She reached a tentative finger to touch the diamond. It certainly felt solid.
Eryn dropped to her knees in front of Maxwell and grasped both his hands in hers, the little ring box at the center. “Is this a promise?”
He gazed into her eyes, the expression in his brown ones softening. “It’s more than a promise, my love. It’s a pact, a marriage pact. I pledge my love to you as long as we both shall live.”
“Isn’t that what you say during the wedding?”
“I’ll say it again then. I’ll say it to you as often as you need to hear it.” He stretched across and brushed his lips against hers, his gaze still intent. “But more than that, I pledge to live it.”
“Maxwell… I don’t even know your middle name.”
“Jefferson.”
She blinked. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” He chuckled.
“Maxwell Jefferson Sullivan, I accept your proposal and your pledge. I love you more than I ever thought possible, and I can’t think of anything better than spending the rest of my life at your side.”
He tugged the ring from its velvet nest and slipped it onto her finger. Then he lifted Eryn to her feet and twirled her around. She clung to his shoulders as they spun.
When he finally set her down, she took his beloved face between her hands and looked deeply into his eyes. “I love you, Maxwell. I’ll do my best to be worthy of you.”
He shook his head slowly. “You are worthy. You don’t need to try. Just be yourself. If we keep close to God, keep our focus on Him and then each other, we’ll be okay.”
“We need to fill our minds with His word. With positive things.” Not dwell on negatives like she’d been so prone to doing.
From back in the great room, an air horn sounded. “Ten, nine, eight…”
“I love you, Eryn.”
It was a good thing he’d said her name, because when his lips brushed hers again, she all but forgot who she was. The sweet, tender caress slowly deepened until Eryn was lost in this moment with her beloved.
The air horn blasted again, long and loud.
“Happy New Year, Eryn,” Maxwell whispered into the sudden silence.
“Happy New Year, Maxwell.”
She was going to marry her greatest love and pledge her life to his in this most precious of new years.
Cheers, whistles, and cat calls came from the great room.
They’d figure out the details later.