Page 58 of Relentless Hearts
He looked…awed. There was no other word for the expression on his face as he watched her walk toward the altar.
She could see him swallow hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing beneath the crisp white shirt he wore. The way he was looking at her—like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen—made her heart swell with emotion she hadn’t expected.
She tried to maintain the serene bridesmaid smile she’d practiced, but tears pricked at her eyes. This was Denver and Rhae’s day, but the way Decker was watching her made it feel intensely personal.
As she approached him, he held her stare and discreetly pulled a white handkerchief from his jacket pocket, holding it out to her. She crushed her hand around the cloth and continued toward the altar, her emotions rioting even more.
Of course Decker had anticipated that she might cry during the ceremony. Of course he’d come prepared to take care of her.
Then any tears dried up as Navy kicked off the ceremony beautifully, toddling down the aisle in a fluffier, miniature version of Willow’s dress, scattering rose petals with the serious concentration only a one-year-old could bring to such an important task.
She spotted some of her favorite vets from the therapy program and stopped to wave. When she dropped her basket, one of the guests slipped out of their seat to pick it up and place it in her chubby fist again.
By the time she made it to the altar, Navy had lost a shoe and every guest was laughing.
The music changed, and all heads turned as Rhae appeared at the back of the barn, radiant in ivory silk and lace. The groom choked up. Willow dabbed at her eyes when the pair locked gazes and love radiated through the entire barn.
But Willow found herself stealing glances at Decker, catching him watching her with that same intense focus.
Navy spotted her momma and wanted to be next to her. Willow clasped Navy’s hand, allowing her to edge closer while trying to keep her in place for the photos and videography.
But now that she’d performed her duty, Navy was done. Standing in front of more people than she’d ever seen at one time, she grew overwhelmed by all the attention. Willow could see the warning signs. Navy fidgeted, then let out a whimper.
A tired wail echoed through the barn, and Willow’s heart sank. Rhae and Denver’s perfect moment was about to be disrupted by their overtired daughter.
Juliette shifted, clearly planning to take Navy out, but Decker was already moving. He simply leaned forward in his seat and caught Navy’s attention. From his jacket pocket, he produced a small doll—one that looked suspiciously like the ones Navy played during the vets’ therapy sessions.
Navy’s crying stopped immediately. Her eyes went wide with delight, and she practically launched herself at Decker. He slipped into the aisle and caught her smoothly, settling her on his lap as she hugged the doll against her chest.
Within minutes, lulled by the sound of her parents’ vows to love and honor each other for the rest of their days, and the warmth of Decker’s jacket draped over her, Navy fell fast asleep in his arms. Her tiny fist was still wrapped around the doll, her head tucked trustingly against his chest.
Willow’s heart stopped beating for a moment, then started again with painful intensity. The sight of Decker holding the sleeping child hit Willow like a physical blow.
He was going to makesucha good father.
The thought came unbidden, but once it was there, she couldn’t shake it. She could picture it so clearly—Decker would be the kind of steady, patient presence that every kid deserved. The way he’d handled Navy’s meltdown without even thinking about it, anticipating Navy’s needs and meeting them so naturally—it spoke to something deeper than just being good with kids.
It spoke to the kind of man who would be a true partner in life.
Tears blurred her vision as Denver slipped the ring onto Rhae’s finger, his voice thick with emotion. Willow found herself wondering if she and Decker would ever stand here, in this special place, making those same promises to each other.
The thought should have terrified her. As a little girl, she’d told more than one person she was going to marry her horse. But watching her brother marry the woman who’d become the sister of her heart, seeing Decker cradle Navy like she was made of spun glass—it all felt like a preview of something she desperately wanted.
When the pastor pronounced Denver and Rhae husband and wife, the barn erupted in cheers and applause. Navy stirred briefly in Decker’s arms but didn’t wake, too comfortable and secure to be disturbed by the celebration around her.
As the new couple kissed and the photographer captured the moment, Willow caught Decker’s eye across the crowd. He smiled at her, that slow smile that devasted her heart.
She pressed the handkerchief to her eyes, not caring that it might smudge her makeup. This was what happiness looked like—her family whole and growing, the man she was falling in love with showing her exactly the kind of future they could build together.
When Navy finally woke up during the recessional, she was refreshed and happy, waving her doll at everyone as Decker carried her down the aisle. Willow fell into step beside them, and for a moment, she felt as if they looked like a family themselves—the handsome man, her in a beautiful dress, and the toddler who clearly adored them both.
“Thank you,” Willow whispered to Decker as they reached the back of the barn. “You saved the ceremony.”
“She just needed a friend,” he said simply, but the way he looked at Willow suggested he understood the deeper implications of what had just happened.
As the happy newlyweds were hugged and clapped on the back in congratulations, Willow felt something shift and settle in her chest.
This wasn’t just attraction or infatuation anymore.
