Epilogue
Chance
New Year's Eve dawns bright and cold. I wake up with a smile on my face.
My wedding day. The words still feel surreal. Six months ago, I would have bet every dollar I had that I'd never marry again. That I'd spend the rest of my life alone, guarding my heart behind impenetrable walls.
Then Anita showed up and changed everything.
I roll over to find her side of the bed empty. For a second, old panic flares—what if she changed her mind, what if she left—but then I hear her voice downstairs, laughing with Mel, and the panic subsides.
She's here.
I get up and head downstairs, drawn by the sound of her laughter. The house smells like coffee and cinnamon and something sweet I can't identify. Anita's parents arrived yesterday. Warm and welcoming, they remind me so much of their daughter. Anita’s mom has been cooking nonstop.
"Morning," I say, stepping into the kitchen.
Anita’s friend Corrie rushes in front of my bride.
Mel runs over too. "You're not supposed to see her before the wedding!"
"That's just a superstition," Anita says, trying to smile at me around her friend’s back. But she's blushing, and I love I can still make her do that.
"Bad luck or not, we should probably get you out of here," her mother says, shooing me away with a dish towel. "We have a lot to do."
I catch Anita's hand as I pass, pulling her close for a quick kiss. "See you at the ceremony?"
"I'll be the one in white."
"Can't wait."
Upstairs, I shower and dress in my best suit, a simple dark gray that Anita picked out. Mel helps me with my tie, her face serious with concentration.
"You're really getting married, Dad."
I cup her face gently. "Still feeling good about it?"
"Dad, Ms. Anita's the best thing that's happened to us."
"She is."
"Do you think?" She hesitates. "Do you think she'll want to adopt me? Officially?"
My throat tightens. "I think she'd be honored. But that's something we should talk about together."
"After the honeymoon?"
I laugh. "We're not going on a honeymoon, sweetheart. We can't leave the ranch right now."
"That's so lame." She wrinkles her nose. "When I get married, I'm going somewhere tropical."
"I don’t think we’ll find anyone good enough for you."
She giggles and hugs me tight. "I love you, Dad."
"Love you too, Mel. So much."
By late afternoon, our living room has been transformed. Mel and Anita's father moved furniture to create an aisle, and Anita's mother decorated with white flowers and ribbon. It's simple but beautiful.
People start arriving. A few ranch hands and their families.
Some of the older folks from town who've looked out for Mel and me over the years - The O’Connors who used to bring us casseroles and helped babysit, the Hendersons who helped with hay deliveries and old man Jackson who always slips Mel a free sundae at the diner.
Granny Tallulah is accompanied by her granddaughter Winona, the current manager of Blossom Ford Matchmaking Agency.
“We’re so happy for you and Anita.” Winona shakes my hand.
“Thank you and your mom for matching us!”
“Granny knew you two belonged together.”
Granny Tallulah pats my arm. “Told Mel you two belonged together. Glad she listened.”
The officiant and dad’s friend, Mr. Rose, takes his place at the front, and suddenly it's time. The music starts, soft and acoustic, and everyone sits down.
Mel walks down the makeshift aisle first, clutching the rings, with Corrie behind her, throwing flower petals. They are both wearing their red velvet bridesmaid dresses. They take their places on the bride’s side.
Then Anita appears, escorted by her father, and my breath stops.
She's wearing a simple ivory dress, a flowing design that hugs her curves and makes her look like an angel. Her hair is loose and wavy, with white flowers tucked in. She's not wearing much makeup, just enough to make her eyes shine.
She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
Our eyes meet, and she smiles. That smile says I love and choose you. I'm here to stay. My vision blurs with tears, and I don't care who sees.
Her father hands her to me with a gentle squeeze on my shoulder, and then it's just us. Standing before our family and friends, about to make promises I intend to keep for the rest of my life.
I'm so focused on Anita’s face, her hands in mine, the way she's looking at me with such love, I barely hear Mr. Rose's words until it's time for the vows. We wrote our own, and my hands shake slightly as I hold hers.
"Anita," I begin, my voice rough with emotion. "I promise to choose courage over fear. To choose love over safety. To trust in us and our forever. I promise to be worthy of the gift you've given me, your heart and faith in us. I promise to be the man you deserve. Today and always."
Her eyes are shining with tears too.
"Chance, I promise to stay. Through hard seasons and easy ones. Through storms and sunshine. Through doubt and fear and all the messy, beautiful parts of life. I choose you, always. Today, tomorrow, and every day after that."
Mel steps forward with the simple bands Anita and I picked out together. I slide mine onto Anita's finger, and she does the same for me.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Mr. Rose says. "You may kiss your bride."
I pull Anita into my arms and kiss her softly, sweetly, promising with my lips what I've already promised with my words. Our guests cheer and clap, but I barely hear them. All I can focus on is my wife.
We have a small reception with food set up in the kitchen.
Anita's mother has prepared a feast, a combination of Mexican dishes and American comfort food.
Old man Jackson's contribution from the diner sits proudly on the table alongside everything else.
He insisted on preparing something, said my dad would haunt his sleep otherwise.
There's music, laughter and dancing in the living room.
Mel gives a toast that makes everyone cry. "To my new mom," she says, her voice wavering. "Thanks for not running away when we were being crazy. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart," Anita says, pulling her into a hug.
Later, I dance with Anita while our guests watch. She fits perfectly in my arms, and I never want to let go.
"Happy, Mrs. McCord?" I murmur against her ear.
"Happier than I've ever been, Mr. McCord."
We slip outside later for some air, standing on the porch and watching the stars. It's cold, but Anita leans against me, and I wrap my arms around her.
A letter arrived from Zeke this morning, and I pull it from my pocket now.
"What's that?" Anita asks.
"A letter from Zeke." I unfold it, read it aloud. He apologizes for leaving and the financial situation he put us in. Explains he's been struggling, made bad choices, but wants to make it right. He offers a payment plan, saying he won't force an immediate sale.
"We'll figure it out," Anita says when I finish. "We have time."
I nod and then lead her to the barn. A new stall, freshly cleaned and bedded, has a nameplate that reads "Anita's Horse." Inside is a beautiful chestnut mare with a white blaze.
"She's gorgeous."
"She's a rescue. Needs someone patient and loving. Thought you two might be perfect for each other."
Anita moves to the stall, and the mare immediately comes to her, nuzzling her hand. "What's her name?"
"I thought you could name her. But if you want a suggestion, how about Hope?"
She turns to me.
"I love it!"
I kiss her deeply, right there in the barn, my heart full of gratitude for the scheming matchmakers that brought us together.