Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Damian
I stood at the edge of the pasture, the late afternoon sun hung low over Red Rock Ranch, and cast a warm golden light across the rows of wooden chairs set up on the soft grass.
The air carried the faint scent of wildflowers and fresh hay, a gentle breeze rustled the white ribbons tied to the weathered fence posts, and I adjusted my tie, which felt snug around my neck despite Cosmo’s assurance that it looked sharp.
Geraldine had wanted the wedding here with a simple outdoor setup, and I agreed when she suggested it over coffee one morning, her bright smile sealing the deal.
Now, I waited under a wooden arch draped with vibrant flowers, my boots scuffed the dirt, and Cosmo and Christian stood beside me, their grins stretched wide as they shifted in their borrowed suits.
“Are you nervous, man?” Cosmo said and nudged my elbow, his voice stayed low but playful as he straightened his jacket. “You’re sweating a bit.”
“No,” I said and smirked, wiping my hands on my pants. “It’s just warm, and you’re the one fidgeting.”
“Me?” he said and laughed, clapping my shoulder firmly. “I’m solid and ready to hold you up if you pass out.”
“Keep talking,” I said, and gave him a loo., My grin remained steady. “I’ll push you into the creek.”
“Save that for later,” Christian said and chuckled, leaning against the arch with his hands in his pockets. “She’s coming, look.”
I turned, and Geraldine stepped out from the house with Hazel beside her, her white dress hugged her curves and flowed loosely at the hem, simple yet stunning, her hair fell soft with a few flowers tucked into it.
My chest tightened as I watched her walk toward me, her grin shone bright when she met my eyes, and the small crowd of ranch hands, her city friends, and a few locals stood and murmured, their voices faded as she stopped in front of me and took my hands.
“Hey,” she said and squeezed my fingers, her voice soft but clear above the breeze. “You look good.”
“You too,” I said and grinned, my hands holding hers firmly. “Are you ready for this?”
“Always,” she said and laughed, her eyes sparkling as the officiant, an older man from town with gray hair, cleared his throat and began.
“Folks,” he said and raised his hands, his voice carried over the crowd. “We’re here to join Damian and Geraldine in marriage, so let’s keep it sweet and simple like they wanted, starting with their vows.”
Geraldine looked at me, her grin softened, and she spoke first, her voice steady and clear.
“Damian,” she said and squeezed my hands tighter, “I promise to stand by you every day, through the long mornings and late nights, whether we’re fixing fences or just sitting quietly.
I’ll laugh with you when things get easy, push you when they get tough, and love you always, no matter where we are or what comes our way.
You’re my partner, my home, and I vow to keep you close, to build a life with you that’s ours, full of good days and even the messy ones, because that’s what I want with you forever. ”
I swallowed hard, her words hit me square, and I grinned wider, my thumbs brushed over her knuckles as I took my turn.
“Geraldine,” I said, my voice came out rough but sure, “I promise to be there for you, every step, through the sun and the storms, whether we’re out in the fields or just here on this porch.
I’ll hold you up when you need it, listen when you talk, and fight for us no matter what.
I vow to make you laugh, to keep you safe, to give you all I’ve got—my hands, my heart, everything—because you’re the best thing I’ve found, and I want to build a life with you, day by day, until we’re old and gray, and I’ll love you steady and true all the way. ”
The officiant nodded, his grin creased his face, and he said, “Well, that’s about as good as it gets, so let’s wrap this up. Do you, Geraldine, take Damian to be your husband?”
“I do,” she said and grinned even wider, her eyes locked on mine.
“And do you, Damian, take Geraldine to be your wife?” he said and turned to me.
“I do,” I said, the words felt solid as they left my mouth, and I slid the ring onto her finger, a plain silver band that matched the one she gave me.
“Then you’re married,” he said and raised his hands again. “Kiss her, son.”
I pulled her close and kissed her deeply, her lips warm and soft against mine, her hands gripping my shoulders as the crowd clapped and Cosmo let out a loud whistle that echoed across the pasture.
“Get a room,” Christian said and laughed, slapped my back as we turned to face everyone, and Geraldine’s hand stayed in mine.
“Later,” I said and smirked, keeping her close as we walked down the aisle, chairs scraped, and people stood with their cheer,s following us to the barn where we’d set up the reception.
Inside, the barn glowed with string lights strung across the rafters, long tables covered with checkered cloths held platters of barbecue ribs, creamy mashed potatoes, and golden cornbread, and the smoky aroma filled the air.
A small band tuned up in the corner with a guitar, fiddle, and a worn drum kit, and I led Geraldine to the head table, her dress brushed my leg as we sat, Cosmo and Christian dropped into chairs beside us with beers already in their hands.
“Nice job, man,” Cosmo said and raised his bottle, his grin wide and teasing. “You didn’t trip or choke up.”
“Shut up,” I said and laughed, grabbed my beer as Geraldine nudged my arm. “You’re next.”
“No way,” he said and grinned at her. “Congrats, Geri, you’re stuck with this guy now.”
“Lucky me,” she said and laughed, leaning into me as she sipped her water. “He’s not so bad.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Christian said and smirked, piling ribs onto his plate. “He’s soft now.”
“Keep it up,” I said and gave him a look, my hand resting on Geraldine’s knee under the table. “I’ll toss you out.”
“Try it,” he said and laughed loudly, passing the platter to Cosmo. “You’re too busy staring at her.”
“Can you blame me?” I said and grinned, squeezing her knee as she laughed beside me.
“No,” she said and kissed my cheek quickly, her voice stayed playful. “You’re stuck with me, too.”
“Best deal ever,” I said and pulled her closer, my arm slid around her shoulders as the band started a slow song, the fiddle hummed gently over the chatter.
“Speech time,” Cosmo said and stood, tapped his bottle with a fork until the room quieted, and heads turned toward us.
“Alright, everyone, I’m Cosmo, best man, and I’ve known Damian too long.
He’s usually grumpy, but Geri’s got him smiling, so she’s a keeper.
Here’s to them and to us dealing with him. ”
Laughter spread through the barn, and I shook my head as he sat with a wide grin. “Jerk,” I said and raised my beer, clinking it against Geraldine’s glass. “He’s not wrong, though.”
“Cheers,” she said and laughed, sipped hers as Christian stood and swayed slightly from the beer.
“My turn,” he said and cleared his throat; his voice carried over the crowd. “Damian’s my brother here, and Geri’s the best thing he’s got. They’re good together, so drink up and don’t let Cosmo dance because he’s terrible.”
More laughs broke out, Cosmo tossed a napkin at him, and Christian sat with a grin as the band picked up a faster beat that thumped through the barn. “Dance?” I said and turned to Geraldine, stood, and held out my hand.
“Yeah,” she said and took it, her grin bright as I pulled her to the open space where people were already moving. I spun her slowly, her dress flared out, and she laughed, her hands slid up my chest as we swayed with the music pulsing around us.
“You’re not bad,” she said and pressed closer, her voice low over the fiddle. “You’ve got some moves.”
“Had to learn,” I said and grinned, dipped her quickly, and pulled her back up. “Keeping up with you.”
“Sweet talker,” she said and laughed, her arms wrapped around my neck as we moved. The floor filled up, Cosmo dragged Hazel out and stumbled over her feet, Christian twirled a local woman, and the barn turned lively and loud.
“Cake time,” Cosmo shouted over the music, waving us back as he carried a lopsided white cake to the table with frosting smeared from his grip. “Cut it, you two.”
“Nice work,” I said and smirked at him, grabbed the knife as Geraldine stood beside m,e and her hand guided mine. We sliced throug, the crowd, clapped, and Cosmo swiped a chunk of frosting and smeared it on my cheek before I could dodge.
“Ass,” I said and laughed, wiped it off as Geraldine smeared some on his nose with a wild grin. “You’re next.”
“Bring it,” he said and laughed loudly, ducking as Christian lobbed a napkin his way and knocked over a beer that fizzed across the table.
“Guys,” she said and laughed harder, grabbed a rag to mop it up. “You’re a mess.”
“Always,” Christian said and grinned, stealing a piece of cake with his fingers. “Gotta keep it fun.”
“Yeah,” I said and pulled her back to me, my arm around her waist as the band started another song. “Best mess I’ve got.”
“Congrats again,” Cosmo said and raised a messy handful of cake with a wide grin. “You’re stuck with us now, Geri.”
“Lucky me,” she said and laughed, leaned into me as Christian tossed another napkin that landed in the frosting, the barn buzzed loudly and sweetly around us.