EPILOGUE
M EGAN PULLED A PERFECTLY manicured nail from her mouth before she bit down, laying her hand on her lace-covered lap and covering it with her other hand. Her foot bounced until she couldn’t handle it anymore, and she rose to a stand to pace the room—a room that she would share tonight with her husband.
Her body shook with longing, love, and a taste of fear, but it was normal to feel frightened before committing your life to another. She had told many patients that over the years.
She pulled back the curtain to spy on the crowd gathering at the barn. Tyler had released the horses into the pasture, and a party of friends converted the barn into a large and beautiful wedding hall.
A soft knock came to the door before Chasity poked her head in. “You dressed?”
“Yes, come in. Please come in. I’m going crazy in here. How much longer do I have to wait?”
Chasity laughed, readjusting the infant in her arms. Her beautiful boy had been born five days after her due date, but he was healthy and large, and his mama had recovered miraculously well. “You look beautiful! I understand, though. It feels like forever waiting, doesn’t it?”
“It does.” Megan peeked out the window again, spying a glimpse of her handsome cowboy before he disappeared into the barn. “If you would have told me, even last year, that I’d be marrying a cowboy with a horse ranch, let alone in a barn, I would have said you were crazy.”
“No, you wouldn’t have. You never thought I was crazy, even when everyone else did.”
“What a trip, huh? Who knew we’d both be stalked when we met?” Megan laughed, but Chasity only smiled. She knew that Chasity’s situation had been far more dangerous than hers and gave her an apologetic smile.
“We have wonderful men,” Chasity said. “See, it’s nice to feel protected.”
“It takes getting used to, but yes, it’s nice.” Megan moved over to take the baby. “And how is my handsome nephew?”
“He’s gassy. You might not want to hold him until after the ceremony.”
Megan drew her empty hands back. “Fine, but after pictures, he’s mine.”
“I think he may have to fight for your attention,” Chasity said. “Maybe you’ll have a friend for him soon?”
Megan laughed, but it came out sounding forced and full of nerves. “My life has been moving at the speed of light these last several months. I think I may want a break from fast travel for a bit.”
Chasity shrugged. “We’ll see.”
Another knock came at the door. “Megan?” her dad asked hesitantly.
“Daddy!” Megan opened the door to greet her dad. He had driven up the night before to have dinner with them. He had stayed in Derrick’s newly set up guest bedroom while she went home for one last night in her lakefront house, but her emotions made her want her father’s comfort more than anything right now.
“They say they’re just about ready for you,” he said, looking at her, letting his eyes mist. “You’re beautiful. So much like your mother.”
“I wish she was here.” Megan dabbed under her eyes.
“Me, too,” he said, holding her face as he looked at her with an expression that made her feel completely loved. “I’m so happy for you, dear. It eases my heart to know you have found a man who will protect you.”
Megan hugged her dad, thinking about the night she had to tell him not only about Tyler but about her stalker. The mixture of emotions he shared surprised her, especially the relief of knowing that Tyler would take care of her. When he had met Tyler, it put him even more at ease, and her dad instantly gave him his blessing when Tyler had asked for her hand.
Krista rushed down the hall, looking pretty in her pink, smooth satin dress. She refused to be the flower girl, saying she was too old, but would be happy to be one of her bridesmaids. Kami skipped behind her, wearing the frilly version of Krista’s dress and holding a basket full of petals. Derrick trailed after them with his mom.
“I’ll take little baby-bumpkin,” Derrick’s mom said as she reached for the baby.
Chasity’s eyes trailed after him as if she didn’t want to let him go, but as grandma and grandson turned the corner, Chasity turned back to Megan. “Ready?”
Megan recalled all she had been through the last several months, how fast things had gone, but the thought of the look in Tyler’s eyes whenever she met them solidified her conviction. “Yes, I am.”
Jordan came down the hall, whistling just as they all came out. “Where’s that sweet young lady I have the privilege of walking down the aisle?”
Krista blushed, but she raised her hand. “Here,” she said, before leaning up to give Megan a kiss on the cheek. “You’ll do great.” Then she took Jordan’s arm.
Jordan winked at Megan before escorting Krista out of the house and toward the barn.
“Guess we’re next.” Derrick turned to Chasity. “Are you ready my lovely bride?”
Chasity turned toward Megan, readjusting a few wayward curls and straightening her dress here and there. “Tyler is going to flip when he sees you,” she said, taking Megan’s hands in hers, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so glad you are here to stay.”
Megan blinked back the tears that were burning her eyes. “Me, too.”
Chasity gave her hand one last squeeze before taking Derrick’s arm and disappearing out of the house.
“That leaves us.” Her dad smiled at her. “I’m so proud of you, my dear. I’m sure your mother is smiling down on you right now.”
“It’s so good to have you here, Dad.” She kissed him on the cheek, smelling his Old Spice aftershave that had always been her scent of comfort.
“It’s a friendly town,” he said as he offered her his arm. “If you don’t mind, I might think of staying in that little place of yours until your rent is up…since you’ll be on the ranch.”
“Really?” Her heart warmed at the thought of having her dad close, of giving Krista the chance to experience a grandparent again.
“I’m kind of getting attached to this little family of yours.” He wiped at his eyes. “I can see why you moved so fast. It’s hard not to fall in love with them right away.”
“Oh, Daddy.” Megan stopped to give him one last hug before they rounded the barn. “I love you.”
“And I love you, dear.” He cleared his throat, straightened his tie, and gave her one last long look. “Now, let’s get you married.”
The musical notes of the wedding march reached her ears, and the people standing on each side of the flowered walkway blurred into a surreal picture that made her feel as if she lived someone else’s life, for surely this simple ranch wedding wasn’t hers. It was the opposite of the huge church wedding that she had dreamed about since she was a little girl. Yet, it made sense, as if she had finally come home, even if it was a home she never would have imagined for herself.
She followed the flowers down the aisle, seeing Chasity and Krista smiling at her. Then her eyes met Tyler’s and the entire world disappeared, just as it had during that very first kiss. Her feet kept moving of their own accord, but her eyes never left his, and his never left hers, as they locked in an embrace that went past time, past memories and fears, past forgotten futures, and fully filled the moment.
She knew right then she was meant to marry this man, and there was nowhere else she wanted to be than in his arms, whatever the scenery may look like. From somewhere far away, she was aware of the preacher talking, of her dad responding and kissing her cheek. When Tyler took her hands, everything came into focus as the present rushed in, leaving her breathless and ecstatic.
She would never remember what the pastor said during the ceremony, but she would never forget what she felt—the bonding of her heart and Tyler’s, something that could never break.
Later, as she had her first dance with her husband, she realized that all of this happened because they both had the courage to hope, and she would forever be grateful that she kept hoping on change.