Chapter 16 Cindy #3
“Marriage,” he began gently, “isn’t about the perfect photo, or the flawless day.
It’s about showing up for each other—again and again, day after day, year after year.
And we are gathered here tonight to join Jack Kessler and Cindy Starling Kessler in a marriage that they vow will last forever. And this time?”
“It will,” Jack whispered.
Cindy laughed through her tears. Jack grinned.
Marshall talked about forgiveness and patience, about choosing the same person and creating a history, about love and laughter and highs and lows.
Cindy heard the words, but all she could really do was look into the eyes of a man she’d loved since the first time he kissed her, right here on this mountain crossing, through decades and divorce and a do-over.
She belonged with Jack Kessler, and she would never leave him.
“Jack,” Marshall said, “would you like to share your vows?”
Jack nodded, taking a deep breath. “Cindy. I’ve loved you since I first came to Snowberry Lodge and your father had the good sense to hire me to drive that sleigh.” He glanced to his side. “Thanks, Red.”
“One of my best decisions, son. And I’m famous for them.”
Laughter rippled but quieted as Jack continued.
“From that day to this, through raising a beautiful daughter, running the lodge, even the dark days when we parted, you were always my North Star. I will love you through whatever time we’ve got left—every morning coffee, every snowfall, every summer afternoon, every minute of every day. You’re my home, Cinnie.”
Tears streamed freely down her face.
Marshall smiled softly. “Cindy?”
She inhaled, her voice trembling. “Jack, you never fail to surprise and amaze me. You make me laugh and keep me calm and show me what matters in life. And if this moment isn’t proof of that, I don’t know what is.
” She glanced at her family, catching MJ’s teary gaze.
“I never stopped loving you, either, and I never will. We are in our sixth decade and somehow, we have a second chance at life and love. I can’t wait to take it and never let go. I love you.”
Jack brushed away a tear with his thumb, his eyes wet, too.
Suddenly, Benny scampered closer, holding out two boxes to Marshall. “The rings, sir.”
Oh, they had all thought of everything! That much love nearly overwhelmed her.
Marshall delivered the traditional vows from memory—to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, from this day forward—and Jack and Cindy both delivered a heartfelt, “I do,” and slipped wedding bands on each other’s fingers.
“By the power vested in me,” Marshall announced, voice full and sure, “by the great state of Utah and the Good Lord who is watching us, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He grinned. “Again. You may kiss your bride, and I hope you never stop.”
The cheer that rose up from the little crowd echoed down to the canyon. Cindy threw her arms around Jack as he dipped her under the trellis and gave her the kiss of a lifetime.
After more hugs, a pop of champagne, and so many good wishes, they all piled into the sleigh and the snowmobile for a merry ride home as a fresh snow started to fall.
Cindy couldn’t stop smiling, couldn’t stop touching Jack’s arm, his sleeve, the wedding band joined to her diamond engagement ring.
As they came over the last rise before the lodge, the chatter stopped as they saw the lights.
“Oh, goodness,” Cindy muttered. “You Know Who and her crew are here.”
“It’s fine,” Jack assured her. “You all talk to her while Nic and I get Copper into the stable. Then we’ll head to town for a rehearsal dinner that just became a private reception.”
Cindy, Gracie, and MJ climbed down and walked around to go straight into the Starling Room, which was blazing with bright lights.
Just as they stepped in through one of the French doors, Dominique Parrish shot through the back door, covered—literally covered—in…in…
That wasn’t snow. Oh, dear heavens, that was white frosting all over her green Chanel pantsuit. Which meant—
“The cake!” Gracie cried.
“The dogs!” MJ shrieked at the sound of Newt and Kat barking noisily.
“My wedding…” Cindy sighed, realizing at that moment she honestly didn’t care.
Dominique marched forward, some icing falling from her collar. “Your wedding is the biggest mistake I ever made. No one was here to help us. I had to go looking for the cake. I had no idea there were two dogs sleeping in the kitchen and they scared the life out of me and…”
Gracie rushed off toward the dining room and MJ started to leave, but Cindy reached for her hand, wanting her sister’s moral support for what was about to happen next.
“So we won’t have a cake,” the woman announced in her shrill voice. “And we won’t have—”
“You,” Cindy finished.
Dominique froze. “Excuse me?”
“First of all, Jack and I just got married in a private ceremony under the trellis on the very spot where we had our first kiss thirty years ago.”
The other woman rolled her eyes, exasperated. “I could have used that footage, Cindy. Any chance we could—”
“There was no footage because there was no camera because it wasn’t done to impress, inspire, or entertain anyone.”
Dominique drew back at the note in Cindy’s voice and MJ stood a little straighter.
“It was a beautiful moment that will live forever in my memory.”
She huffed a shuddering breath. “Fine. Now, can we get to the B-roll now that you’re—”
“No.” Cindy squeezed her sister’s hand but kept her eyes on Dominique. “You’re not covering our wedding ceremony or reception,” she said. “I don’t want Aisle Files here in any capacity. There will be no content for you, and you can…take the day off.”
The other woman’s jaw dropped. “Why don’t you just close up shop now, Cindy, because without us, you will—”
“Succeed,” MJ finished. “We have our own little social media guru, a few marketing geniuses in our family, and a history of hospitality and joy.”
Cindy nodded in solidarity. “My sister’s right. We don’t need you to promote the venue but appreciate your interest.”
For a long moment, the other woman stared at her, the look on her face saying she was not used to being turned down in any capacity. “Cindy, I’m sure we can—”
“Actually, we can’t.” Jack walked up behind Cindy and put his arm around her in a show of loving solidarity. “I think you heard my wife.”
My wife.
Oh, it had been too long since Jack had called her that. Unexpected tears sprung as she leaned into her husband and hero.
Dominique’s gaze flitted over him. “Fine. I can still work with the bride at the Grand Hyatt. Parker!” She clapped her hands. “Sloane! Where are you?”
The cameraman slinked into the room, dragging a tripod. “We heard. We’re packing up.”
Her nostrils flared with her next breath.
“Can I get you some wet towels for that suit?” MJ asked, the picture of cordiality. “I wouldn’t want the buttercream to stain.”
“No, thank you. Goodbye.” She slid her gaze to Cindy and then to Jack. “Best of luck to both of you.”
With that, she pivoted and walked out, leaving them silent for a beat.
“Well,” MJ said, “I guess the dogs didn’t stay in the kitchen as planned.”
Laughing, Cindy shook her head, shocked at how relieved she was. “Come on, let’s go survey the damage.”
MJ walked ahead, but Jack held tight, keeping Cindy back.
“You sure?” he asked, his brows lifting.
“Never been so sure of anything. Well, except that ‘I do’ I just said.”
He kissed her lightly. “Good call, Mrs. Kessler.”
Arm-in-arm, they headed through the back doors, around the kitchen, to find the entire family—and two very guilty dogs—in the dining room. The wedding cake was…demolished.
“The good news is there was no chocolate,” Benny said, carefully wiping Sir Isaac Newton’s face.
“And ChatGPT said that none of the ingredients Gracie used are toxic,” Olivia added, also cleaning off her border collie. “I mean, unless you count sugar, which my father says is the devil’s favorite spice.”
Gracie, standing by what was left of the cake, didn’t smile. Instead, she looked up at Cindy with true pain in her eyes.
“Aunt Cindy, I can make another one. I’d miss the dinner tonight, but—”
“No, you won’t,” Marshall said, stepping close to her. “I can make the cake. Olivia will help.”
“I will!” the little girl chimed in. “I mean, if you don’t mind almond flour and monk fruit.”
“I can make a traditional, sugary cake,” Marshall said. “It might not be as pretty, but I know how to make a cake Germaine Hampton-style. You’ll love it. You go enjoy your family dinner.”
Gracie smiled up at him, a spark so real between them that Cindy could feel it from across the room. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve got everything I need at my bakery.”
“Except sugar,” Olivia cracked.
Gracie hesitated, then sighed, reaching into the bag on her shoulder. “Here are the keys to Sugarfall,” she said, handing them to him. “Everything you need is there and I’ll come by after the dinner and help you with the decorations.”
“Perfect. You ready to do a little baking, Bug?”
Olivia bounced beside him. “We’ll make the best cake ever!”
Cindy felt her heart swell again—this family, always pulling together, always finding joy in the chaos.
They all stepped out into the snowy night hand in hand, dividing into groups for the cars, laughing and talking and replaying the best night ever—and they had only just begun.