Epilogue
My heart mimics a hummingbird with how fast it’s beating, and I’m worried I’ll sweat right through my jumpsuit. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I knew we’d end up here eventually. I’ve been counting down the seconds until I can call Juniper Calhoun my wife.
I proposed about a year after we reconnected at the rodeo, right in the middle of the field of wildflowers where I first realized she’d stolen my heart.
Juniper didn’t see it coming at all, even though we’d talked about it before.
In the chaos of getting the arena built, getting training sessions going, and tourist season picking up, I think she figured I’d wait until things died down.
I thought about it, but I couldn’t wait any longer, and I don’t regret it one bit.
The look on her face when I pulled out the silver band engraved with tiny flowers was priceless.
We were both crying when she said yes, and at Christmas, she proposed back with a simple silver band with our initials engraved on it.
Life’s been busy but wonderful. I spend most of the summer out on the trails or teaching riding lessons, and in the colder months, when lessons slow down, I spend them training my few year-round clients and helping wherever I’m needed on the ranch.
I’ve done a few rodeos over the years, but I’m kept so busy I don’t have time to miss it.
I’m endlessly in awe of how much Juniper has improved when it comes to her anxiety around leaving the ranch.
We managed an entire week away to visit Mary in Nevada.
She still struggles sometimes, and we’ve cancelled a few plans at the last minute because she was overwhelmed, but I don’t care. Her well-being always comes first.
Being the one she goes to when her depression or anxiety gets bad is the greatest honor of my life, and I hope I’ll always have the privilege.
Right after we got engaged, her friends, Bea and Clayton, went through something that shook Copper Creek to its core. The aftermath of that, paired with how overwhelming wedding planning was for Juniper, caused us to push the wedding date back twice.
She’s more important than a piece of paper, so I was happy to do whatever she needed so today could be everything she dreamed of. Now, the day is here, and it’s perfect.
Juniper wanted to get married in the field of wildflowers, but she ultimately decided that having that many people there wouldn’t be good for the ecosystem. Instead, we’re having the ceremony in the yard behind the main house.
Hudson walks the rings down the aisle under the direction of a very pregnant Oakley.
She’s six months along with twins, and we’re all anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Briar and Oakley got married in secret at the courthouse about a year after they met, and now they’re our neighbors.
I never thought I’d enjoy living so close to someone’s family, but they’ve welcomed me as one of their own.
It’s why I’ve decided to change my last name to Calhoun.
The music from the string quartet changes, and our guests stand, turning in as Juniper appears at the end of the aisle.
A breath catches in my throat, and the vision of my girl walking toward me with the biggest grin on her face gets slightly blurry as tears gather on my lash line.
She’s a vision in white, her simple lace dress hugging every dip and curve of her body.
Her hair is down in beachy waves, adorned with a crown made of wildflowers.
I can’t stop myself from meeting her halfway down the aisle, cupping her face in a kiss that earns some cheers from the crowd.
“That’s supposed to be at the end of the ceremony,” she whispers against my lips, trying to chastise me. Her smile gives her away.
“I didn’t want to wait that long. You look… stunning doesn’t even cover it. I’m so damn lucky.”
“Thank you. You look incredible, too. Can you make me your wife now?”
I give her another quick kiss, and she loops her arm with mine, and we finish walking down the aisle to where Briar is officiating.
My future sister-in-law smiles when we reach our spots. “Welcome, friends and family. Today, it is my honor to officiate the wedding of Juniper Calhoun and Addison Riley…”
I only half pay attention to what she’s saying, too mesmerized by how the late afternoon sun hits Juniper’s eyes and makes them sparkle.
“Addison and Juniper have decided to write their own vows today, so we’ll start with Addison.” Briar steps back and smiles at me.
I take out the worn piece of paper from the pocket of my jumpsuit. I’ve had my vows written since the first wedding date was set, but nerves still wash over me at the thought of saying them aloud.
“Juniper,” I say, clearing my throat from the emotion clogging it.
“When I first came to Forget Me Not Ranch, I was lost in a cloud of grief, trying to get back on the path I was on before I lost Artemis. Sometimes, meeting the right person shows you why the direction you were going isn’t working out.
Your sunshine led me down a fork in the road, to a better path filled with more happiness than I could ever imagine.
“I vow to you today that I’ll always be next to you, through the good and the bad, the days filled with sunshine or the days filled with clouds.
I promise to hold your hand and be here in whatever way you need.
You’ll never have to question if I want you, because every day, I’ll show you.
I promise to celebrate your wins and commiserate with your losses and love you through the mundane days.
Being with you is the greatest gift I’ve ever received, and every day I wake up grateful to be with you. I love you.”
Juniper’s eyes are shiny with tears, and Briar pulls out a tissue and hands it to her sister. I want to kiss her tears away, but it’s not the time for that yet.
Juniper takes a steadying breath and gives me a small smile as she pulls out her own paper.
“I thought I was content with my life before you came along and shook up everything. After a rocky start, you became my safe space, the anchor I didn’t know I needed, and our brief months apart showed me what I was too scared to admit before: that to grow, things can’t stay the same.
That stepping out of my comfort zone is necessary if I want to experience the joys of life.
“I promise to love you through the challenges we face and to always be honest about what I’m feeling.
I promise to give you my heart and to keep yours safe.
I can’t promise there won’t be dark days, but I know the sun will always shine after.
You’re my anchor when I feel adrift. I promise to always be yours when you are. I love you so much.”
Briar passes me a tissue, which I take, even though I didn’t realize I was crying.
Rings are exchanged in what feels like no time at all. Then, Briar says the six words I’ve been waiting to hear all day. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Tugging my wife in by her waist, I dip her slightly and press my lips firmly against hers. Our friends and family cheer and clap, and somewhere someone yells, “Get a room.”
I plan to, as soon as it’s socially acceptable.
When I help Juniper stand again and break our kiss, she blinks a few times, her cheeks cherry red from all the attention. We walk down the aisle together as people congratulate us. At the end of the aisle, I can’t help but kiss my wife again.
I never pictured a summer job turning into me finding the love of my life, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
THE END