Page 64 of The Chances We Take

“Why?” Erin had asked.

“Because a knot tied in pouring rain is a whole lot harder to untie than a knot tied in perfect weather. Besides, rain is always a good thing, you just have to look at it in the right way.” She’d smiled, like she was stuck in a memory.

“Are you ready?” Reid looked down at me, my arm looped through his.

Ellison stood behind us, chatting with her mother.

“I don’t think I should be the one you’re asking,” I joked. “But yes, I am.”

An instrumental version of “I Cross My Heart” started playing; the cue for the wedding party to start moving down the aisle. One by one, like we rehearsed, the coupled up bridesmaids and groomsmen slowly made their way down the aisle.

I looked over my shoulder at Ellison right before Reid and I started walking, and the grin on my face deepened. We took our time moving down the aisle, and when we reached the end, I unlinked my arm from Reid’s, but not before giving his bicep a small, subtle squeeze. If he noticed, he didn’t give anything away in his expression as we proceeded to our spots.

Moments later, I heard Reid ask Colter, who had his back turned, if he was all right.

“Yeah, I’m great.” Colter laughed in response, but it was a little bit choked, like he’d already been tearing up.

“Don’t look yet,” Reid said, mumbling a few other words that I couldn’t hear from across the altar.

The music paused, and a few seconds later the opening notes of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” started to play and everyone rose from their seats, turning to catch a glimpse of the bride. That was when Aaron—the boys’ old college rodeo coach and the officiant—and Reid both told Colter to turn around.

Ellison and Hanna walked down the aisle slowly, as if soaking in every moment. Ellison smiled at Colter, who was wiping tears from his eyes with the widest grin I’d ever seen on his face.

Hanna gave away her daughter at the end of the aisle, and Colter took Ellison’s hand, leading her with him as Ellison handed off her bouquet to me.

The first part of the ceremony was quick; Aaron gave a short speech about Colter and Ellison and also shared a couple verses from the Bible.

“Ellison and Colter, you may now exchange your vows.” Aaron looked at them each individually. “Ladies first?” He offered Ellison the small journal where she had written her vows.

I craned my neck a little to try to see a glimpse of Ellison’s face as she started speaking.

The gentle pitter patter of the rain against the top of the tent provided a soft ambience, a soundtrack of its own.

“Colter, I never thought I would be lucky enough to meet someone like you. I also never believed I would fall in love with a cowboy, in fact I avoided them at all costs.” She smiled, causing the guests to laugh with her. “But I think that was just God’s way of letting me know to wait for you.That one day you would come barreling in and change my entire world.”

My eyes watered as I looked to the other side of the aisle where Reid was standing. He looked me in the eyes, and I swore his expression softened with the twinge of a smile.

“Before you came along, the best example of love I had was the one between my parents and the love they had for me. But now I know what it feels like to be loved unapologetically and unconditionally, and I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you the same way.” Ellison finished her vows as she looked to Hanna, who was wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Colter, you may proceed.” Aaron exchanged Ellison’s book for Colter’s, and all eyes turned to the groom.

Colter took a deep breath. “Ellison, they say, when you know, you know, and from our first conversation, I knew you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It may have taken a little bit of convincing, and it may not have come easy, but we never gave up without putting up a hell of a fight first. I promise from this day forth I’ll never stop fighting for you and that I’ll stand by your side, through the best times and the worst times, through rain, snow, or shine. And even when death—” His voice cracked as he swallowed, and a tear fell from his eye.

Ellison smiled at him before reaching out to catch it with a delicate touch.

Finding his composure, he finished his sentence. “And even when death comes knocking at my door, I promise I will continue to fight for you and that I’ll stand by you in the next life and every single one after.”

The rain stopped pouring, and as a beam of lightshone down from the clouds, there wasn’t a single dry eye in the tent.

“The couple will now exchange rings as a symbol of the promises of marriage,” Aaron began as Reid handed him the rings. “I’m sure you can both feel all of the love pouring out today, not only between you two, but from everyone in attendance today. Let these rings be a reminder of that love. Colter, place the ring on Ellison’s finger and repeat after me.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my pledge to learn and grow with you.”

Colter repeated the statement, and then Ellison did the same, placing the ring on Colter’s finger.

“Prayed for You,” by Matt Stell started playing as a branding iron and piece of hide was brought out for the unity ceremony. After stepping out into the sunshine together, Colter and Ellison branded the hide as a symbol of their two families being brought together as one.

“Now for the best part.” Aaron winked as Colter and Ellison came back to the arch. “By the power vested in me by the State of Montana, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He looked at Colter and smiled with the pride of a father. “Colter, you may now kiss your bride.”

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