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We stepped outside together, going down the short aisle where a small group of family and friends had gathered for the wedding. Guitar strings played as we walked together, and when we reached the end, Mags and I parted ways, me going to stand next to Cooper, her on the opposite side.

Cooper had his hands linked in front of him, and I patted his shoulder. “This is it.”

His smile wobbled. “It sure is.”

The back door opened, and Cam and her dad stepped out. Everyone turned to watch her walk the aisle, but my eyes were on my best friend. His jaw shook, and his eyes filled with moisture.

I don’t think any of us imagined it going this way for him or Camryn, but seeing the way he looked at her right now, the way she smiled back at him, tears falling down her cheeks—I knew it couldn’t have happened any other way.

Just like it had to happen this way with Maggie and me.

We had to go through all those hardships, all this growth, to be ready for each other, to start a life together on solid ground we leveled and fertilized throughout the years. I glanced over at her, seeing how beautiful she was watching our friends with tears in her eyes.

If there was a more perfect moment, I didn’t know it could exist. That is, until I watched Cam and Cooper say “I do.”

* * *

We wentto the township hall for a reception with more guests than were invited to the ceremony. Music played over the speakers, and Mags came with me to the dance floor so I could spin her around.

So much had changed since our first dance after the rodeo, but I had yet to tell her about the biggest change—that I was finally buying the land I already saw as ours.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, looking up at me.

I held our intertwined hands to my chest. “I’m thinking about our life together, and there’s news I’ve been wanting to tell you once I had some details in place. Now feels like the perfect time.”

She gave me a curious look. “What is it?”

I couldn’t help the grin sliding across my lips. “I’m buying my grandpa’s land. The sale will be final a month from Monday.”

Her mouth fell open. “What?! I thought you needed longer to save!”

“One of my investments did well enough to move up the timeline.” I held her closer to me, just bursting with happiness. “I talked with the banker, and we can start moving forward with infrastructure too. A few years from now, we’ll have enough saved to build a home. Picture it—a three-bedroom house, wraparound porch, a picture window overlooking our magnolia tree. A yellow door, just like you like.”

Her eyes filled with moisture as I spoke each word. “Ourmagnolia tree?”

I nodded. “It was always for you, Mags. A piece of me always knew it had to be you.”

She leaned her head into my chest, holding me tighter while we swayed. “It sounds like a dream.”

“Open your eyes, baby. It’s all real.”

She grinned up at me. “I love you, Rhett Griffen. And I can’t wait to see our home come to life.”

I kissed her lips until the song closed. As we broke apart, I saw her dad on the dance floor a few feet from us. “Mind if I cut in?” he asked.

I nodded. “Of course,” and he swirled Maggie away.

I stood to the side, watching them for a moment, but Maggie wasn’t smiling like before.

In fact, it looked like something was really, really wrong.

61

MAGGIE

Dad smiled down at me.“That was a beautiful ceremony.”

I nodded in agreement. “I liked the smaller group. Made it feel even more special.”