Page 102 of Harper

At some point, they exchange rings.

At some point, they’re pronounced husband and wife.

But my eyes see only Joe, my heart beats solely for him, and my soul promises to love him through this life and into whatever eternity lies beyond.

As everyone else follows the new couple out of the church, Joe stands still by the altar, and I stay seated in my pew until we’re left alone in silence, surrounded by candlelight and evergreen.

“Harper,” he says softly, so much emotion in two small syllables.

I stand up, my hands clutching the pew in front of me as I keep my eyes glued to him.

“You hurt me so bad,” he says, taking a step toward me. “Worse than I ever thought possible.”

“I know,” I say, acknowledging that the decisions I made could have destroyed us. “I’m so sorry, Joe.”

“I forgive you,” he says, coming closer to me. “But we still have a lot of work to do. I want to trust you again. I want that more than anything. But it’s going to take time.”

“I’m ready to do the work.” I sidestep to the end of the pew, standing in the aisle, waiting for him to join me. “I can start by telling you that no matter what, I will never, ever lie to you again, Joe. I promise.”

“I can’t stop loving you,” he says, closing the distance between us. “My love for you won’t die.”

“Then don’t let it,” I tell him, reaching out my hand to him, my palm up. “Keep loving me, Joe. It’s not too late for us.”

“I love you, Harper Stewart. You’re my girl. You’ll be my girl until the day I die.” He takes my hand in his, tugging gentlyto pull me closer, into the beloved circle of his strong arms. “I choose you, if you’ll have me.”

I reach for his cheeks, cupping them reverently, tenderly. “I love you, Joe. I choose you. It’s only you for me. It’s only you forever.”

We make our vows aloud in this holy place, with only God as witness.

Joe’s arms tighten around me as his lips bloom into a happy smile.

“There she is,” he murmurs. “My girl.”

“Kiss me, Joe,” I whisper as tears of joy and gratitude slide down my cheeks. “Kiss me, my love.”

***

Joe

We hold hands under the table at the reception, but from the looks I’m getting from the Stewart brothers, I know we’re not fooling anyone.

Hunter looks away from Isabella Gonzalez for a second, glancing at Harper, then nodding at me with approval.

Sawyer, less subtle than his older brother, gives me a calculated look, then points at his ring finger.

Don’t you worry. As soon as possible, I’ll put a ring on it.

The Stewart sisters, on the other hand, are partying the night away.

Reeve is dancing with everyone but Deputy Adams, who watches her every move from the edge of the dance floor with arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

And Parker, whom I noticed having heated words with Quinn Morgan before the cake was cut, seems to have dipped. Quinn, on the other hand, is dancing up a storm with Bruce’s younger sister, Dolly, who’s visiting from Haines.

The Purple Parsnip is decked out in the same Christmas colors as the church: white, red, and dark green, with evergreen and white bunting draped everywhere, poinsettias lined up on the bar, and a giant Christmas tree with white lights and silver garland in the corner of the dance floor.

I slide my chair back so I’m side by side with Harper, facing the festivities, and hook an arm around her shoulders. Isabella, who finishes a dance with Paw-Paw, returns to our table red-cheeked and breathless.

“Your grandfather sure can dance, Harper!”

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