Page 71 of Spurred On

“Yes. Your bouquet is made of your favorite flowers. The boys are getting the logistical side of things ready. The only thing you have to do is sit here, and let me make you pretty…er. You’re already pretty.”

“I really don’t have to do anything?” The concept of not being worried about something is incredibly foreign to me. A part of me feels a little bit stressed at the lack of control of the situation, but the larger part of me is relieved that I’ll still get to have my day and not even lift a finger.

A few minutes later, Aspen comes barreling in like a tornado, not bothering to knock. Her long brown hair is a mess, but she comes in with a garment bag in hand and stands in front of me.

“You already give her the spiel?” she asks as she goes to hang the dress on the closet door. Leaning over, she puts a hand on her knee and catches her breath.

“Yes. She was suspicious the second she opened the door and I’m a bad secret keeper,” she then looks to me, “I was supposed to wait to tell you with her, but in my defense she was running late.”

“Aspen, the garment bag would’ve given it away anyway.” I hitch a thumb to the white garment bag now hanging off the closet door.

Maybe putting these two in charge of me wasn’t the best idea. But I’m going to roll with it. Something new that I am trying out.

“Alright, I am ready to be pampered,” I say as I lean back into the futon.

“Okay, let me get my makeup and stuff from the car.” Erin gives me a wild smile that leaves me a little scared, but I laugh anyway.

A couple hours and a few mimosas later, the cabin resembles a beauty salon. Josie and Cami show up and I feel like I haven’t stopped laughing in hours. If you had told eighteen-year-old me that this is where life would lead me, I wouldn’t have believed you. But it is my life. I have the best friends in the world, a new bonus family and the best husband in the world.

“Alright, there,” Aspen says, as she swipes the makeup brush across my cheek one last time. “You’re done. Let’s get you in the dress and then you can see yourself.”

It’s an-all-hands-on-deck situation trying to get the dress on. Theymake me keep my eyes closed the entire time, which makes it even harder, but eventually, they get me dressed and in front of the full-body mirror that Aspen brought over.

“Okay, on the count of three, open your eyes. One.. Two…Three..” I open my eyes and gasp.

I’m shocked as I look at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes look piercing with the light pinks and brown shadowed across my lids. My eyelashes have never looked as full as they do today. My blonde hair cascades down my back in perfectly styled curls. And my God. This dress. My hands run down the soft lace. I couldn’t have picked anything better for myself if I tried. It sits perfectly on my body. The sweetheart neckline swoops to show off my chest. And the bodice hugs me tightly until just past the hips and then flare out. The waist cinches me in. I almost don’t recognize myself. Eyes bright and heart full.

“You look beautiful. Now let's get you to the field! It’s time.”

Maverick truly outdid himself. Our closest friends sit on hay bales covered by blankets. The aisle is lined with small metal tins filled with wildflowers from the meadow. And at the end of the aisle is an arch, draped with sage green and white linen. The empty spots are packed with bright wildflowers.

Maverick has his head turned, talking to Jack. Who I am guessing will be officiating the wedding. The girls have kept me hidden so he can’t see me. They built privacy blocks out of wood pallets standing six feet tall. I take one last peek and then pop my head back.

Weston and Rhett stand at Maverick’s side. Dressed in blue jeans, a button-up shirt, and a suit jacket. How he managed to pull all of this together last second is completely mind-blowing.

Aspen steps out from behind the pallet wall and makes herself seen. She looks to her dad and gives him a nod, letting him know we’re ready.

I always thought that at this moment, I’d feel nervous. Wondering if I was doing the right thing. Be flooded with second thoughts, because overthinking and overanalyzing is pretty much a character trait for me, but none of that is happening. As I watch my closest friends walk down the aisle, all I feel is peace.

When my turn finally comes, I stand at the end of the aisle, my eyes immediately meeting Mav’s. His strong jaw is clean-shaven, and the bright white smile? The one that’s only for me? It beams at me the second I catch his eye. He’s cleaned up so well, always in blue jeans, but his buttoned-up shirt is covered with a sports coat and of course, topped with a perfect cowboy hat. The walk down this aisle is the last time I will ever have to walk alone because now I’ll always have him by my side. As I get closer, I see the tears that have gathered in his eyes, threatening to spill over. The toughest, strongest man in the world, and the sight of me is what brings him to tears. Never did I think being loved by someone would make me feel powerful and cherished, but that is how I feel here, standing with him at the altar.

Stepping up to the altar, Maverick meets me at the last line of seats. He encircles my hands with his and brings them to his lips for a quick peck before dropping one and walking to the altar. Rejoining both hands, we turn to Jack.

He smiles broadly at us and then at the attendees. “We are gathered here today to celebrate two things, the addition of Ava into our family, and the moment that Maverick pulled his head out of his ass and found someone to love him. Truly, a miracle.” The few people we have gathered with us break into laughter, the loudest coming from Rhett and Weston. “Let us be reminded that there is no greater thing than to be loved through our failures, wins and all of life’s tribulations.”

Mav’s turn to recite his vows comes and I feel butterflies erupt in my stomach. “Ava, for a long time, I thought bull riding would be the only thing to define me. And while I’m grateful for that, because without the sport and my passion for it, we wouldn’t be here today. Today starts a whole new list of dreams for me and I’m looking right at the most important one. You and the life we set out to create together is my new dream. Whatever your hopes and wishes are, are mine. And I vow to pursue them with all that I have. There’s nothing in this world I’m more thankful for than you. You breathed life into me at a time when I needed it the most. I promise to love and protect you with all I am until I leave this earth. You are my heart. I love you.”

His words ricochet through my head all the way down to my heart. It feels too full, like it’s bursting at the seams, and the only way to make more room is to let these tears of happiness fall.

Jack looks at me, his grin wide under his thick, grey mustache. I realize I’m completely unprepared. But telling the world how much I love Maverick isn’t a hard thing to do.

“Maverick, you came into my life and turned every single thing upside down. But that led to things falling perfectly into place. Before you, I was used to doing things by myself. Carrying the weight of the world. Thanks to you, life no longer feels heavy. You’ve healed pieces of me that I didn’t even know were broken. Sewing them back up and imprinting yourself so deeply into me that I can’t even take a breath without feeling you deep in my heart. Loving you will be the greatest thing I have ever done. Wherever life leads me, I know it will be okay as long as I have you. I love you until forever ends, Maverick. Always.”

When the part for rings comes up, I realize I don’t have one for him. “Mav, I don’t have one for you.” My eyes are wide with a little bit of panic.

Maverick shakes his head, hands still in mine. “You didn’t need one.”

“What do you mean?” Of course he needs a ring.

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