24. Knox
KNOX
The ceremony took place outside. I’d thought it a strange idea, given how cold it was, until I saw what they’d done.
The sleighs had once again taken us up the rise behind the lodge, this time to the highest point on the ranch, where the land flattened out into a shelf of snow and then just gave way to sky.
Behind that, the mountain range went up white and enormous into the clear afternoon, peak behind peak, close enough it didn’t seem real.
A path had been cleared through the snow for two rows of chairs and an aisle between.
A canopy with no walls, just posts and a roof, draped in something pale and gauzy, covered everything.
Bare tree branches on either side had been strung to the last twig with thousands of warm white lights.
Lanterns and candles dug into the snow decorated the aisle on both sides.
Tucked in at the ends of the rows, thank goodness, were tall outdoor heaters.
The weather was clear and cold, with a thin wintry light gold on the horizon that would soon give way to a dusty blue. The boys and I have played some pretty places, but I’d never seen anything as beautiful.
Jack, with Rhett beside him, both in dapper charcoal suits, stood under a draping tulle canopy.
Jasper Moon was officiating, which I’d learned earlier was a common occurrence here at the ranch.
He exuded warmth and charm any time I’d had the pleasure to interact with him.
Best of all, he’d gotten to know the bride and groom during the weeks we’d been at the ranch, which would add a personal touch.
I caught Jack’s eye and he gave me a nod.
I took my place at the head of the aisle on a stool, a heater next to me so my fingers wouldn’t stiffen up.
I was honored to play on such a sacred occasion and found myself nearly choked up before I even began to pick out the notes to the song “Perfect” as the first guests started to arrive.
I transitioned to “Beneath Your Beautiful” when Grant escorted Carol to her seat, followed by Beck with a glowing June on his arm.
For the wedding party’s entrance, which was only Rhett and Madeleine, I played “Chasing Cars.”
Madeleine in that dress was enough to give this old boy a heart attack. She had her hair in a loose knot at the nape of her neck and carried a bouquet of burgundy roses and peonies, her eyes sparkling. Our gazes caught, and she sent me a smile that I felt all the way down to my toes.
Jasper Moon nodded at me. It was time for Ivy to walk down the aisle.
I started with a lift, then a held chord to “Make You Feel My Love” so the crowd would know it was time.
The guests rose in a rustle and a crunch of snow and turned to see Ivy hanging on to her father’s arm, grinning like she had a secret.
I’ve been to award shows, celebrity weddings, people dressed to the nines, but nothing could beat Ivy James coming up that frozen aisle in the gold light, the mountain range behind her.
She was an angelic vision in lace, long veil trailing behind her.
Gus James walked beside her with his jaw set like a man determined to keep himself together but finding it difficult.
I kept playing but glanced at Jack. He was openly crying, tears streaming from his eyes. Rhett pressed a handkerchief into his hand.
When they reached Jack, I brought the song down. Gus kissed his daughter’s cheek and looked at Jack like he was handing over the deed to his entire heart. “I’ll be counting on you, son, to look after my baby girl.”
“Yes, sir,” Jack said, wiping his eyes.
Gus took his seat next to his wife. Ivy handed her bouquet to Madeleine and took both Jack’s hands. I scooted off the stool and went to sit in the front row next to Carol.
“Hey,” Ivy said softly to Jack.
“You’re beautiful,” Jack said, more tears sliding down his face.
Ivy lifted her hand and dabbed at his face with a hanky of her own. The tenderness between them moved me deeply. I had to hold my breath to keep from crying myself. To be loved like that—there could be nothing finer in all the world.
Jasper looked out at all of us bundled up in the cold and smiled.
“Welcome, friends and family, to the nuptials of Ivy James and Jack Wilder. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Ivy and Jack and their friends who are family these last few weeks.
I was a fan of both their music, but now I’m a fan of the man and woman behind the music.
“I have Ivy and Jack’s permission to share a little about the Moon family.
When I met Stella I was a single man, new to Montana, wearing Italian loafers and a suit, having been transferred to work at the local bank.
She was a mother of five beautiful boys, trying to save her family’s ranch.
I fell in love with all of them, and I thank God every day they felt the same way about me.
When Stella and I married, I made a promise to her and our boys.
I thought it was appropriate to share today.
” He gave a dramatic pause. “Like many of you in this room, my family came to me not from blood but from love. I made a commitment to our boys to live or die by the essence of SLURFPIG.”
A few people laughed.
“I know, it sounds like some kind of deranged farm animal,” Jasper said.
“But it’s actually a promise I made, and I think Ivy and Jack are prepared to do the same today.
SLURFPIG stands for: Support. Love. Understanding.
Respect. Family. Protection. Inclusion. Growth. ” He let each one land in the cold air.
“We raised our boys with the understanding that in our home we lived or died by the rules of SLURFPIG. In other words, we made sure they knew where they belonged. With us and their brothers, no matter what might come our way. It’s also been a source of guidance in our marriage.
There is nothing we cannot face together, with SLURFPIG as the foundation.
“No matter what happens, for better or worse, if you bring those eight words into your marriage and the family you’ll build together, you’ll always know the answer to any question or conflict that arises.
These are words to hang on the wall of your home, preferably the kitchen because that’s where everyone always ends up, as a reminder of the promise you’re making today. ”
He looked around the gathering. “I’ve seen a family this month.
A group of people who found one another through their love of music.
I’ve been impressed by the friendships and the love you all share, so I know it’s not too much to ask that everyone in this room commit to supporting this couple in the manner of SLURFPIG. If you agree, say it back to me now.”
Everyone shouted SLURFPIG.
“Luci’s going to read from another source of inspiration for how to live—the Bible. Somewhat better known than SLURFPIG.”
More chuckles.
Luci came up in her wine-red dress and her faux fur, looking as pretty as I’d ever seen her, and that’s saying something. Her hands trembled slightly as she looked down at the notecard in her hand.
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” she read. “Bear with each other and forgive one another.” Her voice wobbled, but she pushed through. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
She folded it back up and looked at her brother a second before she stepped down.
I swear I saw their entire history in that look—the two of them and their mama in a trailer a long way from here struggling to make it through another day, only to be here now.
Perhaps better for it because it made them appreciate this moment and all the ones to come.
Jasper continued. “Now I figured these two songwriters would want to say a few words to each other, but I was wrong. Turns out they’re too shy to speak in front of you all.”
That got a big laugh. But I could see from Jack and Ivy’s expression it was true. This was too big. Too important.
Jasper turned first to Ivy. “Ivy James, do you promise to always love Jack, to approach anything in your marriage or life with understanding and respect. To put family first, to protect each other and those you love? To be inclusive in your hearts and homes of those who are different than you? And, finally, to grow together?”
“I do,” Ivy said.
He repeated the questions to Jack.
“I do.” Jack dabbed at the corners of his eyes.
“And now we will have an exchange of the rings,” Jasper said.
Rhett dug them out of his pocket and handed them to the bride and groom, who put them on each other’s fingers under the guidance of Jasper.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Montana and in front of everybody here who loves you—I pronounce you husband and wife. Jack, please kiss your bride before she freezes in this weather.”
Jack took Ivy’s face in both hands and kissed her as the crowd erupted with cheers and claps.
Through the speakers, Jack and Ivy’s voices rang out in the chill of the Montana afternoon, singing the song that had brought them together—“Finally Home.” I happened to catch a glimpse of Hunter Sloan, who had co-written it with Ivy.
He looked like a proud papa. His wife, the famous romance author, Seraphina Sinclair, had a tissue in hand, but seemed to have forgotten to use it, as tears ran down the sides of her face.
Jack and Ivy held hands in the first moments of their marriage, her veil flying sideways in the wind, and turned to us. Our whole crowd stood up and hollered like it was a show, not a wedding.
I found Madeleine, drawn to her like a bee to honey, and took her in my arms. “I missed you,” I said.
She laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I missed you too.”
“You look stunning. It’s almost a crime.”
“Thank you. You clean up pretty good yourself.”
“May I escort you to dinner?” I asked, offering her my arm.
“I would be honored.”