Page 225 of Three Reckless Words

Then just the three brothers.

Then Colt and me.

Winnie and I opted to have a real photographer focus on our candid moments. No formal sit-down pics to make the wedding photography less burdensome.

Phones are good enough for most things these days, and we didn’t want a zoo. When Winnie said she wanted a low-key wedding, I was quick to agree.

“There,” Mom says, flicking through the photos with a misty-eyed smile. She reaches up to pat my cheek. “I’m so proud of you, Archer. You’ve achieved so much and helped your brothers find happiness. You deserve your turn.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You deserve Winnie, too. I couldn’t have picked a better girl.”

Damn it all.

My throat tightens with the emotion I’ve suppressed all morning whenever I think about her and what’s happening today.

Winnie Emberly.

My soon-to-be-wife.

“We’ll see about that,” I say after a heavy second. “I’m glad I have her and she wants me. I know I’m a lucky man.”

“Archer, please. She’d have to be blind and deaf not to want you.”

Either way, I have no doubts.

Soon, she’ll be mine in every sense of the word, and it just feelsright.

Mom pauses, looking up into my face with a tiny, sad smile.

“You know, your father would’ve loved to see you today. He would have adored your wife.”

That fucking lump in my throat.

I was barely grown and out in the world when he died in that plane crash, really.

It was such a long time ago.

Sometimes, I almost forget about him, which is the worst part. Pain has a way of scabbing over memories, and you have to fight through the scar tissue to sort the good from the bad.

I’m grateful as hell she reminded me.

Today, it’s not so bad. When I woke up, I heard a small plane humming overhead, just like the kind he used to love.

I think that’s Dad, wherever he is, giving me his best wishes.

“Thanks, Mom. I know you’re right. I love you.”

“Love you too, honey.” Her voice trembles as she kisses my cheek.

I arriveat Solitude with time to spare, which helps us make sure everything’s in order.

Not that there was much setup involved.

A few rows of chairs, a wooden arch Mom insisted on having because it ‘makes everything look so special.’ She attached a pair of painted cardinals Colt carved to the top, a bright-red male and a soft-brown female.

And, of course, a bee-inspired backdrop.

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