Page 72 of The Run Option

I tie a white silk bow around the vase, adjusting it to my liking. “I think they’re beautiful, but you’re the expert.”

Ellie frowns. “It’s your day. If you love them, then they’re perfect.”

“All right, then they’re perfect,” I announce. “I’m going to check on the guys’ progress and see if they need anything. Are y’all okay finishing up here?” I ask, glancing around. There should be just some finishing touches left.

“I’ll take your place, sweetie,” Granny Mae says from behind me, coming in with the help of her new cane.

“You’re supposed to be resting,” I admonish, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

“You know better than to think I’m going to lounge about all day when there are things to be done. Now go kiss that beautiful man of yours.”

I laugh along with my mom and Ellie. “Yes, ma’am.”

I tuck my hands in the pockets of my hoodie as I step outside. An icy winter breeze bites at my face and I breathe it in witha grin. I love the colder months. There’s nothing better than a lungful of crisp air.

“How’s it going out here?” I ask as I approach the guys.

Jason is climbing down a ladder my dad is holding steady while Miles untangles a pile of lights nearby.

“It’s getting there,” Jason answers before pressing a cold kiss to my cheek. “How are the arrangements?”

“Almost done if Ellie leaves them alone while I’m gone,” I say.

Miles laughs. “She’s a perfectionist when it comes to her work, but if you tell her to stop she will.”

“It’s been amazing to have her help,” I say. “I just don’t want her to work herself too hard over simple bouquets.”

“I’ll go check on her. She’s been in her head about making sure things are perfect since Jason is one of my closest friends. Be right back.” Miles jogs toward the house.

“I should go see how your mom is doing. I know she’s been having some back pain lately,” my dad says before heading to the house too.

My brow furrows. “I don’t remember Mom mentioning back pain.”

“I think your dad was giving us some time alone,” Jason says with a smile. “Want to go check out the barn? Everything is finished in there except for the flowers.”

I nod. “I’d love to see it.”

We walk hand in hand, our shoes crunching on the blanket of dried fallen leaves. A peaceful feeling overcomes me the closer we get to the barn. I thought I wouldn’t be able to come out here after my granddaddy passed away, but when Granny suggested we have our reception here, it just felt right. I know he would have loved it being used for such a special moment.

Upon entering the barn, it looks about the same as always, except much cleaner. There are tables set up, with a space in the center to act as a dance floor. Jason closes the doors behind us,closing out most of the light except from the small windows at the very top of the walls. He bends down and plugs in a cord. Suddenly, the barn is transformed. The lights cast a soft glow over everything, making it romantic instead of plain.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper in astonishment.

Music begins to play and before I can process what’s happening, Jason sweeps me into his arms and onto the makeshift dance floor. We don’t dance once we’re there, instead opting to sway in place. I lay my head on his chest and breathe in his smokey sweet scent I’ve become so familiar with. Tonight, we’ll dance in front of our friends and family. But for now, it’s just us. A moment I didn’t realize I needed.

“I’m happy I married you,” I say, letting my eyes fall shut.

He kisses the crown of my head. “I’m happy I married you, too.”

I smile. We didn’t start out in a traditional way. It was nothing close to how I pictured it, but somehow I ended up with a perfect man my family loves, living on a farm with horses like I dreamt of as a little girl. So even if I could, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Jason Kingsley

Surely I’m the most blessed man to ever walk the earth. I spin Willow out, then back into my arms to the tune of a faster-paced song. She giggles as she stumbles into me. We’ve only had half a glass of cider each, but I think we’re both drunk on the perfection of this moment.

Friends and family dance, laugh, and eat all around us. We’re surrounded by love. It’s like we’re both fountains in a river that won’t ever run dry. Our love is overflowing.

“I think I need a break,” Willow says into my ear when the song ends.

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