Everyone in the bleachers stood, but Alana didn’t even hear the rustling. All she could see was Pax waiting for her at the end of the aisle. He wore a black tux, white shirt, peach-colored tie, a black cowboy hat, and his best boots. His eyes locked with hers and his smile made her feel beautiful. Like the words said, all the dreams she ever had were leading her straight to him.
“Perfect song,” Matt whispered when he put her hand into Pax’s. “Take care of her son, and I expect you to keep the promises you made to me about loving her.”
“Yes, sir,” Pax said as he helped her climb the three steps up onto the stage.
Alana handed her bouquet to Emily, faced Pax, and took both of his hands in hers. Landon stood up from the front pew, combed his scraggly blond hair with his fingertips, and took his place behind a lectern that had been set up over to one side. His deep voice carried throughout the barn as he read, “From Corinthians thirteen, love is kind. Love is patient. Love does not want its own way…”
Alana’s eyes were still locked with Pax’s, and as Landon read, they vowed to always love each other without uttering a single word. Later, they would say other vows out loud for the benefit of friends and family who’d come to help them celebrate the day, but what they were expressing with their eyes right then came from their hearts and went down deep into their souls.
When it came time to say those other vows, Pax didn’t have to take notes from his vest pocket like Alana thought he might. Instead, he looked right into her eyes again and said, “It takes about two seconds to say ‘I love you,’ maybe five to ask ‘Will you marry me?’ but it will take a lifetime to show you how much I love you. We’re getting married right now, and today is wonderful, but I intend to try to make every day of our lives together as great as this moment. When we’re old and gray and we look back on our lives, I don’t ever want you to have a single regret that you decided to ride this river of life with me.”
With tears in her eyes, Alana said, “I believe I have loved you my whole life, Paxton, from as far back as I can remember. I’m glad that you asked me to marry you and that we can journey through life together. I want to grow old with you by my side and not only to spend the years we will have in this life with you, but to be with you for all of eternity, because it will take me that long to prove to you how much I really, really love you.”
“And with that said, I think I can add a hearty amen,” the preacher said. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride, Paxton.”
Pax didn’t have to be told twice. He drew Alana to him, and said, “I love you,” before their lips met in a long kiss that had some of the spectators whistling and yelling.
“I will love you, forever and ever, amen,” she said softly when the kiss ended.
“Funny, you should say that,” he whispered as a Randy Travis song by that title began to play. Instead of taking her by the hand and leading her down the aisle, he two-stepped with her all the way into the reception area.
“Perfect!” She smiled up at him when they were standing behind the wedding cake table. “Just like this whole day.”
“Amen, darlin’.” He pulled her against his side and kissed her on the forehead.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Eighteen months later
Pax came through the back door, removed his coat, gloves, and hat and rushed across the floor to take Alana in his arms. “Merry Christmas, darlin’. It’s spittin’ snow out there. I don’t think it’s enough for a white Christmas, but it gives us the holiday spirit.”
“That sounds like something Daddy would say.” She slipped her arms around his neck and brought his lips to hers for a long kiss.
“Merry Christmas to all!” Lucas and Landon pushed their way through the door. “I smell cinnamon rolls. Reminds me of all the past Christmases in this house.”
Landon shed his coat and went straight to the highchair. “How’s my favorite nephew this morning?” he asked the ten-month old baby. “Are you ready for your mama’s famous Christmas breakfast? Is