Page 64 of From Ice to Home (The Heart of a Ranger #1)

HANNAH

T his is exactly what I’ve always imagined my wedding day would look like.

My dad walked me down the aisle in the church I grew up in, before he stepped up to the altar to marry me and Lucas himself.

The church was filled with family and friends, old and new.

My dad’s message was more than a ceremony, it was a true blessing over our union.

One that felt like we’re being covered in love and protection as we’re stepping into our life as husband and wife.

Instead of doing the reception in our backyard, like my mom wanted to, we decided on doing the rehearsal dinner there instead.

Which is why we’re now all on Walker Family Farms for our reception.

Right now, as the sun sets over the golden fields and fairy lights twinkle inside the wooden structure, it feels like God’s hand has been over every detail.

Laughter and music float through the air, blending with the warm scent of Carolina summers and garden roses.

I look across the barn and find Essie swaying to the music, her light blue maid-of-honor gown flowing around her as she swishes. Her dark curls fall over her shoulder in soft waves and she looks so grown up.

“Are you happy, little one?” I ask her, moving beside her. “Is this what you imagined?”

Essie pauses, turning to me with a softer expression. “I know I was hard on you when I first found out about your Vegas wedding,” she says honestly. “But this was never about me and what I wanted, Han. It was what I wanted for you…what I know mom and dad wanted for both you and Lucas.”

Then she wraps her arms around me. “Are you happy?” she asks, her tone light like she already knows the answer.

“There are no words for what I’m feeling,” I say, slipping my arm across her shoulder as we both look out over the dancefloor.

Lucas is across the room, talking to his coach and to Harry. We invited him too and honestly I was a bit surprised that he actually showed up. Not because he’s not supportive of Lucas, but it’s never felt like weddings, or even marriage, is really his thing.

Lucas must feel my eyes on him, because he turns. When our eyes meet, he gives me a soft, familiar smile. Just like that, butterflies erupt in my stomach all over again.

“He’s your person,” Essie whispers, looking between us.

“He is,” I say. “He’s my person.”

On the dance floor Avah finishes her dance with EJ before he asks Liz to dance. Avah is absolutely beautiful, the blue bridesmaids dress bringing out the blue in her eyes. After the way we formed a bond so quickly, I asked her to stand up with me today. Alongside Liz and Mona, of course.

My gaze drifts toward the bar set up. Declan is leaning against it, his gaze fixed on Avah as she makes her way out of the barn.

I’m not sure what those two are to each other exactly.

So far I’ve seen admiration from Avah’s side…

or rather admiration of Declan’s game and skill.

But from Declan…I’m stil l not sure. He downs his drink before following her outside.

“What’s got you thinking this hard?” Lucas’s voice cuts through, placing his warm hand on the small of my back. “I hope it’s our honeymoon.”

He places a soft kiss in the crook of my neck and I melt into his side, all thoughts of Avah and Declan forgotten. They’re adults. They can figure out things for themselves.

He threads his fingers through mine and leads me out of the barn.

The night air is warm and soft, heavy with the scent of summer jasmine.

Cicadas hum in the trees, and small fire pits flicker across the lawn.

String lights drape from wooden poles, casting golden halos over cocktail tables and wildflower centerpieces.

My mom truly worked a miracle putting all of this together just two weeks after Lucas and his team won the Stanley Cup.

Lucas’s day with the Cup happened just a few days before the wedding, and several of his teammates made the trip for both events.

Seeing my husband surrounded by his teammates, taking pictures with the Cup out by the barn, surrounded by Georgetown kids in Rangers jerseys made my heart ache in the best way.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” he asks, leading me down a small path heading behind the barn.

“Only a few times,” I say with a laugh. “Where are you taking me?” I ask, looking around and not recognizing anything.

“You’ll see,” he says with a mischievous smile on his face. “I’ve been wanting to show you this ever since we got married…” he pauses, grimacing slightly. “The first time.”

As we head down the path the lights of the barn fade behind us, the trees grow a little thicker overhead before it opens in a small clearing among the trees.

There’s a tiny cottage nestled among the trees, soft candlelight glowing in the windows. A few lanterns hang from shepherd's hooks around the yard and a small garden grows along the fence. The building is old, weathered, but it is absolutely beautiful and full of potential.

“Wow,” I whisper, stepping forward. “Luke, what is this place?”

“This used to be my mom’s art studio,” he says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “My dad hasn’t come out here since she died.”

He’s silent for a moment before tightening his grip around me.

“A few years ago, in one of my off-seasons, I came out here,” he continues. “I didn’t really know why, I just knew that I wanted to fix it up.”

He lets out a breath. “So every year when I get time off, this is what I’m doing. As you can see I haven’t really had much time to do much…but since our wedding, I’ve been wanting to move along the process.”

I turn to face him, not sure if he’s saying what I think he’s saying.

“It’s not big by any means,” he continues. “But it’s a home in Georgetown. One for the two of us.”

My eyes sting with tears. This man has already given me an amazing place to live in New York and now, because he knows how much our hometown means to both of us, he’s willing to have us live here too. To bring a piece of our past into our future.

“Harry mentioned that there will definitely be a contract for me with the Rangers next year, but I figured that it doesn’t matter. We’ll decide what’s best for us when we get to it, but I want us to have a place we can always come back to.”

Something inside me softens. He’s not only thinking about next season or his next contract. He’s thinking about us and our future. About our home and our roots.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am,” I say, leaning into his chest. His heartbeat is steady, strong and grounding. Just like him. “It doesn’t feel fair that I get to feel this way.”

“But you do,” he says firmly. “You deserve all this and more. And I want to spend the rest of my life trying to give everything to you, Sanders.”

He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me off the ground, spinning me in a slow circle. Laughter bubbles up from deep within me, spilling into the warm Carolina evening. Around us the soft glow of candlelight, the shimmer of starlight, and the light in Lucas’s eyes all blur together.

This is joy. This is us. This is home.

“It’s Walker now, remember?” I say through carefree laughter.

When he sets me back down, I’m breathless, my heart hammering against my chest. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I love you,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose before his lips find mine. His kiss is familiar and new, anchoring and full of promise.

“Mrs. Walker,” he adds softly.

“I love you more.”

The End

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