31. Red
31
RED
Just before the bull riding finals are about to begin, rodeo owner Rod walks out into the center of the arena with a microphone in his hand to the delight of the rowdy crowd.
“Howdy. Now I know y’all are waitin’ for the bull ridin’ to start, but before we get to that, we’ve got ourselves a special surprise tonight," Rod announces, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
“Y’all know that I have a soft spot when it comes to love and deservin’ people findin’ their soulmates. I have been lucky to have my darlin’ wife by my side for over forty years now, and if there are two people who deserve to find love and happiness— and with each other, no less—it's my friends Red Grayson and Mags Gallagher who are about to do somethin' a little bit crazy tonight in front of all of y’all." The crowd falls quiet, the air electric as everyone waits to hear whatever Rod's about to announce.
“Red? Come on out here,” he says, waving me over.
I walk out toward him, the rest of the Bull Ranch men following behind me as Rod continues.
“Red gave decades of his life not just to the rodeo but to the animals we couldn’t do this without. When he came to me yesterday with a favor to ask, there was absolutely no way I was goin’ to say no. When I heard what the favor was? Well, you bet I was all in with it. So, this afternoon, I went online and got myself ordained just for this occasion.” Gasps and sounds of surprise fill the air as Rod presses on. “I hope y’all are wearin’ your Saturday night rodeo best because Red here is about to marry his best friend and a mighty fine woman right here in front of y’all. What do you say? Should we help get them hitched?”
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause, the sound echoing through the arena. I stand there looking around the arena and taking it all in. Then I think back to what Maggie said to me not twenty minutes ago.
“I need you to tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re not dreaming, darling. But I sure hope you’re living in one.”
Rod lifts his brow in a silent question. I nod before he shoots me a knowing wink and steps back, taking his place in front of me. Rhett stands by my side, Austin, Landry, Toby, and Colt in a line next to him.
Colt leans over and hands a computer tablet to Rhett, who grins down at it before holding it out to me. My heart lodges in my throat when my eyes land on the somewhat pixelated but undeniable smile on my handsome son’s face.
"Hey, Dad. Sorry, I'm late. Hope you haven’t started without me." Tears prick my eyes, but I can’t tear myself away from the screen. “Mags wanted to give you a little surprise of her own since you’ve done so much for her. Hell, for all of us. And there’s no way I’d want to miss out on your weddin’. I love you, Dad. I love her .”
“I do too, kid. Love you too.”
“So how ‘bout we both stop cryin’ and we get you married, huh?” he says, wiping his own eyes and making me chuckle as I do the same.
“OK, kid. Glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Dad.”
The familiar chords of When You Say Nothing at All starts playing over the speakers and all heads but mine turn toward the open gate behind us.
Rod gives me a knowing wink before nodding for me to turn around. When I do, I lock eyes with my breathtaking bride walking toward me.
Her hair flows down her back in loose waves, a white veil resting on top dancing in the gentle breeze as she approaches. Her lace and satin dress clings to her hips before dropping down to the ground with cowboy boots peeking out at the bottom.
I’ve seen Mags dressed up and dressed down many times over the years. I’ve seen her naked, I’ve seen her sick, I’ve seen her happy, sad, wracked with grief, and elated beyond measure. But to me, right now, coming toward me to become my wife, she's never looked more beautiful.
Her eyes are glistening with tears when she reaches me. We both reach out to wipe the other’s cheeks at the same time, making the women and men standing as witnesses around us laugh and sigh.
I take her hand in mine and rub my thumb over her knuckles, pausing over her engagement ring that will soon be joined with a wedding band.
A surge of emotion wells up inside me. The love and devotion I have for her, the respect, honor, friendship, and absolute trust I have in her, is indescribable. The journey we've been on together, the obstacles we've overcome, the loss we’ve endured, and the unwavering support we've given each other have all brought us to this moment. And I wouldn’t change it for a second.
“I love you,” Mags whispers as she stares deep into my eyes.
I gently squeeze my fingers around hers and smile. “Love you too, darlin’. Feel like gettin’ married to me tonight?”
She shrugs and shoots me a wicked grin. “Thought you’d never ask, Ernest .”
I smirk, ignoring the gasp and murmurings of every single member of the Bull Mountain Ranch who have just learned the answer to their most asked question.
And with the sounds of the rodeo and a gentle breeze from the mountains washing over us, Margaret Lucille Gallagher finally becomes my wife.
The End
Or is it…