Page 29 of Wild For You

“You may exchange vows now.”

“Josie,” Nico's voice was a tender rumble, reverberating with the weight of his emotions, “I never knew love could be a fortress until I found you. You are my safe haven, the still point in a turning world.”

My hand trembled in his—strong, yet so careful, as if he held something precious and unutterably fragile. I swallowed past the lump in her throat, heart beating a symphony against my ribs.

“From the moment I met you,” I replied, voice quivering with sincerity, “you challenged me to see beyond my fears, to imagine a future where I could let someone in. Because of you, I believe in that future.”

Around us, the air seemed to hold its breath, while Molly dabbed at her eyes.

Nico nodded, his dark eyes glistening with the sheen of unshed tears. “With this ring,” he slid the band onto my finger, a perfect fit, “I vow to honor those dreams, to build them with you, brick by brick, memory by memory.”

I echoed the gesture, my hands steady as I placed his ring upon his finger. “And I swear to stand beside you, even when the shadows grow long, to be the light that guides us home.”

A surge of applause cascaded over us as the rings clicked into place—a chorus of approval from the friends and family who had watched our love story unfold like the petals of the roses that scented the air.

“Forever starts now,” Nico murmured, the promise glinting in his gaze as much as on our fingers. My heart soared, buoyed by the cheers.This is what forever feels like—overwhelming, but oh, so beautiful.

Amidst the tender echoes of “I do” still lingering in the air, Haley took her cue as if she were born for this moment. The little girl, in her white dress that mirrored the wisps of clouds above, began her dance down the aisle.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

“Can I kiss you now?” Nico teased, the corners of his mouth twitching with the effort not to grin outright.

“Try and stop me,” I responded.

Our lips met, a soft collision of past hesitations and future aspirations. The world around us faded, leaving only the warmth of Nico's hands cradling my face and the sweet pressure of his mouth upon mine.

“Welcome to forever, Mrs. Youngblood.”

Epilogue

Josie

I adjusted my camera lens, my keen eyes scanning the scene through the viewfinder. The town square, vibrant and bustling three years prior, had blossomed even further under the touch of time, its charm magnified by the community's thriving businesses and the palpable joy of its inhabitants.

“Perfect!” I said, capturing an impromptu moment between an elderly couple sharing ice cream, their laughter frozen in time against the backdrop of blooming dogwoods. My photography business had flourished, turning the once-guarded woman with a love for love into the visual storyteller of Lawson Ridge. Each click of the shutter was not just a photograph; it was a vignette of life, a testament to the magic I saw in every shared glance, every dimpled smile.

“Josie! These are incredible!” exclaimed Mrs. Henley, peering over my shoulder at the display of wedding photos adorning the walls of the cozy studio. “You've really captured the essence of this town.”

I turned, my warm smile reflecting the sincerity in my sparkling green eyes. “Thank you, Mrs. Henley. It's all about finding the story in the stillness,” I replied, voice as soft as the light filtering through the windows.

As Mrs. Henley left with a promise to recommend my work to her niece, my gaze wandered outside, where the lively chatter of power tools and classic rock music drifted over from the neighboring lot.

It’s time I stop in and see my husband.

Nico body shop, once a fledgling endeavor, stood robust and proud, much like its owner.

Nico emerged from the garage, wiping his hands on a rag. His shop had become a cornerstone of the community, a place where trust was built under the hood of each car and within the hearts of those he served.

“Looks like you're pulling another late one,” I called out, leaning against the doorway.

“Wouldn't be a normal day if I weren’t.” His lips curled in a half-smile, revealing a glimpse of the tender heart he guarded so well. “Ready to go home? Haley is waiting on us.”

He smiled and nodded to his employee. “Looks like you get to stay late tonight, bud.”

I took my husband’s hand and walked the couple of blocks to our home.

“Dad. Dad. You’ll never guess what happened today?”

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