Gaining Miles (Miles Family #5)(27)

Roland came in, followed closely by Leo. Roland’s tie was straight, his suit perfect. Leo’s thick beard was trimmed and he had his hair pulled back. His tie hung around his neck and his shirt collar was unbuttoned.

“How am I ready before you?” Cooper asked Leo. “You’re supposed to be the quiet responsible one.”

“I thought Roland was the responsible one,” Chase said.

“You obviously don’t remember Roland in high school,” Leo said, lifting his chin to button his collar.

“Well, I’m definitely not the responsible one, but I’m rocking this suit today,” Cooper said. “And you guys all look fucking great. Here, let me.”

Leo only flinched a little as Cooper helped him with his tie. It was such a relief to have Leo back. He’d always have some quirks, and the things he’d been through had left their mark. But he was happier, and healthier, than I’d seen him in years. That ring on his finger certainly had a lot to do with it.

I was proud of Leo. Proud of all these boys. They’d grown into good men. They understood what it meant to be men of their word, to take responsibility, and use their strength to protect the ones they loved. I liked to think I had a part in that, however small. Seeing them all find love, and be admirable men to the women in their lives, made me feel like I’d accomplished something good in the years I’d spent here.

“Who has a bottle of something?” Cooper asked. “This is a big day. We need to toast.”

Chase headed for the door. “I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t get in trouble with Zoe,” Cooper called after him. “I’m supposed to be watching you.”

“You’re supposed to be watching him?” Roland asked.

“There’s bacon-wrapped stuff in the kitchen,” Cooper said. “You know that guy can’t be trusted around anything wrapped in bacon.”

“Neither can you,” Roland said.

“True.”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t eat all Mom’s hors d’oeuvres,” Leo said with a grin, and followed him out the door.

Chase and Leo came back a minute later with five glasses and a bottle of Salishan cabernet. I poured and we all raised our glasses.

“To Ben,” Cooper said. “The man who taught us most of what’s worth knowing in this life.”

“Who gave us an example of what a man should be,” Roland said.

“Whose smooth badassery continues to be an inspiration,” Chase said.

“And who never gave up on any of us,” Leo said. “Including Mom.”

“Welcome to the family,” Cooper said. “Officially.”

We clinked our glasses and I was glad they didn’t keep talking. I took a sip to cover the swell of emotion that bubbled up my throat. Their acceptance meant the world to me. It wasn’t that I’d doubted it. But hearing them say it out loud made my chest ache a bit.

Jamie knocked on the door and poked her head in. “The ladies are waiting. Are you ready?”

I glanced in the mirror one last time. “Absolutely.”

Our wedding was a small affair. Just our family, a few friends, and the other Salishan employees. We’d set it up like the old harvest parties we’d thrown, years ago. Strings of twinkle lights sparkled in the garden and there were tables with food and wine spread out on one side. Our guests sat at the smaller tables, or stood with wine glasses in their hands.

Shannon hadn’t wanted all the pomp and circumstance of a full ceremony. We had a minister here to do the honors beneath a trellis draped with flowers and lights.

She stood near the trellis, dressed in an ivory lace gown. Her hair was curled, and the soft lights made her skin glow.

I stopped and watched Brynn place a circlet of flowers on her head. My Shannon. So beautiful. Maybe it was a cliché to say so, but she took my breath away. Especially today.

She glanced over and our eyes met. Her smile lit up her whole face. If I had one goal left in this life, it was to see her smile like that as often as possible. Making her happy was my greatest joy.

I crossed the distance to her and took her hands in mine. “Are you ready for this?”

“Absolutely,” she said.

I met Roland’s eyes and nodded. He and the other boys passed the word for everyone to take their seats while the minister came to the front with us.

Shannon and I stood, hands clasped, facing each other while the minister began. There wasn’t much to our little ceremony. A few words, then it was time for us to say our vows.

“Benjamin,” she began. “Today I have the privilege of marrying my best friend. The man who has been there for me for better or worse, in sickness and in health, through good times and bad, all long before we said a single vow. And come what may, I promise to honor this union and love you with my whole heart for the rest of my life.”

Then it was my turn. My words were simple, but they were my truth. And I was a man of my word. “Shannon, my love for you is endless. I promise to be yours, always. I will be faithful in word and deed and I will love you and care for you until I take my last breath.”

Tears shone in her eyes as she smiled up at me.

Roland and Zoe stepped up and handed us the rings. The minister nodded.

I took Shannon’s hand and slipped the ring on her finger. “With this ring, as a token of my love and fidelity, I thee wed.”