Epilogue
Harlyn
July, the following year.
It was my wedding day. I was marrying the man of my dreams. The man who kept my world turning. The man who had taken possession of my heart. The man I couldn’t imagine living without. The past year had been one of new beginnings, and of events best left in the past.
A knock sounded at my bedroom door and I turned to see my soon to be mother in law who had huge smile on her face.
“You are an absolute knock out. Jensen’s eyes will bug out of his head when he sees you.”
I stepped forward and placed my hands on Frida’s forearms.
“I can’t thank you enough for all your help and for being my attendant today.”
Frida hugged me. “It’s been absolutely wonderful being a part of your planning. I’m sorry your parents can’t be here but I know they’ll be watching over you.”
“Hopefully Grandma will have brought my grandfather to his senses and all four of them will celebrate my marriage.”
Frida hugged me. “Ready to become Mrs. Johnson-Thomas?”
“I’ve been ready since Jensen proposed.”
Frida took my hand and led me through my new home at The Triple C Ranch. We’d agreed I would move there as it was in much better condition than mine. Once we restored my ranch house, we’d decided Elijah would move from the cabin he was in that needed a bunch of repairs.
I looked at where Sheba lay in a huge basket with my new eight week old pup—Samson curled into her side. “Be a good girl,” I murmured before we headed outside.
The men from both ranches, Jensen’s father, and their friends, had laid down a red carpet leading from the front door to an archway covered in bluebonnets.
After our vows, we’d be having a meal catered by La Gracious in a huge marquis that had been erected and then Jensen and I were leaving to spend a week on Oahu…
exploring the island and relaxing on Waikiki Beach.
Make You Feel My Love by Adele played through temporary speakers the men had set in place and Frida gripped my hand as she led me to where Jensen stood with Briggs by his side.
They both looked handsome dressed in black jeans, crisp white shirts, and they wore black Stetsons on their heads. Their boots, highly polished, shone in the sunlight. Jensen’s eyes smoldered with want as I neared and I knew exactly what was on his mind.
Frida held my hand out and Jensen took it into his. “Look after our girl,’ Frida said before kissing her son and then me on the cheek. She moved to where Carter was seated in the front row and sat beside him.
Elijah, who had been ordained online, stood in front of us, ready to conduct a ‘short ceremony’ as Jensen had instructed.
Jensen
It was all I could do not to drool or have my tongue loll from my mouth when Harlyn stepped onto the other end of the red carpet with Mom holding her hand.
My soon-to-be-wife wore a white, knee-length dress that had a top of delicate lace and a skirt comprised of layers of tulle. The Stetson she wore was white as were the boots on her feet. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders and the familiar scent she always wore wafted in the air as she neared.
Mom looked beautiful in a multi-layered powder blue dress and her skull cap type hat matched in color. She handed me Harlyn’s hand before kissing our cheeks and sitting beside Dad.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered.
“You’re mighty handsome yourself,” she responded before we turned to face Elijah.
“I’ve been instructed to keep this short and sweet so we’ll get started.”
Elijah paused while everyone laughed.
“Seriously…We are here today to get this pair hitched and it’s about damn time if you ask me.
The looks they’ve been giving each other and the kisses they shared when they thought no one was watching were enough to spike our already ridiculous temperatures by another ten degrees.
” There was more laughter and when I glanced at Harlyn, her face had turned red.
“Marriage is a promise,” Elijah began, his voice steady and warm, “a promise to love, honor, and cherish one another through all the trials and triumphs life may bring. Today, Harlyn and Jensen, you stand before your loved ones to declare your commitment to one another.”
I turned to Harlyn, my heart brimming with emotion.
“Harlyn,” I started, my voice thick with affection, “from the moment I met you there was a strong connection between us and somehow, I knew you were the one. You have brought joy to my life and strength to my soul. I promise to stand by your side, to lift you up when you’re down, and to love you without reservation for all the days of our lives. ”
Tears glistened in Harlyn’s eyes as she took a deep breath. “Jensen,” she replied, her voice trembling with emotion, “you are my rock, my confidant, and my best friend. I vow to support you in your dreams, to comfort you in your sorrows, and to love you unconditionally. I am yours forever.”
Elijah nodded approvingly before holding out the book he was reading from. Briggs placed our rings on the page before Elijah spoke again. “These rings symbolize your unending love and commitment. As you place them on each other’s fingers, remember the promises you have made today.”
With trembling hands, Harlyn and I exchanged rings, sealing our vows with tender smiles. Elijah beamed at both of us. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jensen, you may kiss your bride.”
I didn’t need a second invitation. I swept Harlyn into my arms and kissed her passionately, friends and family erupting in cheers and applause.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Elijah announced with a grin, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Johnson-Thomas.”
Harlyn had made the decision to honor her family by keeping her surname and I was pleased when I suggested my taking both names and she accepted.
Hand in hand, we walked back down the red carpet, stopping to receive the congratulations of all those who loved us.
We were both ready to begin our new life together and excited to be partners in both ranches headed into the future.
Maybe somewhere down the line, together, we’d solve our problem with water. Time would tell.