Page 26 of Lumberjack Bride
Eight
Leo
“Do you,Leonard Jackman, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
I inhale a deep breath, once again feeling time stand still as I look down at Hazel. Water slaps lightly against the dock nearby. Sounds of wildlife echo around us. Orange light from the setting sun brightens Hazel’s face as she smiles up at me.
Well, she was right about one thing. That chess piece I carved doesn’t look a thing like her right now. Her dress is tight, but elegant, with a flowing skirt that extends back toward Claudia. Her hair is styled up with godly perfection. Bright eyes and pink cheeks. I can’t take my eyes off her. I haven’t since the moment she walked out of the house and down the aisle, given away by her grandmother. I can hardly even breathe.
Moore clears his throat. “Leo? Did you need me to repeat the question?”
I blink out of my trance, quickly realizing that everyone has leaned forward in their chairs, Hazel’s grandmother included.
“Yes!” I say. “I mean, no. I do. I do.”
They chuckle quietly as I push the ring down Hazel’s finger.
“And do you, Hazel Smith, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Moore asks, punching every word to make sure she’s listening.
Hazel smiles a little wider. She doesn’t blink or hesitate. “I do,” she says, easily finding my ring finger without even looking.
I feel the ring travel over my knuckles, a cool shot of metal that rattles me down to my toes.
How did this happen?
How did this girl become my wife?
When I first met her, she was a complete mess. Standing in my office in ripped tights covered in coffee and blathering like a fool. She was obsessive and annoying and nothing at all what I ever wanted in a woman, but… here she is. Standing in front of me in white and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hazel Smith. My bride.
“Then, by the power vested in me by the state of Montana, I now pronounce you—”
I reach out to cup her face, pulling her in far before my cue, but I don’t care. I kiss her anyway. Her lips purse with mine. Her arms latch around my neck and she laughs as I lift her a few inches off the ground.
“Husband and wife…” Moore finishes, his voice a hundred miles away. It echoes behind us, along with the whistles and applause and Pearl barking loudly along with them.
Hazel laughs harder in our embrace. I open my eyes and see tears in hers. Hell, there might be a few in mine, too.
She grins at Moore. “I think we can take it from here, Reverend,” she says.
He stands back, sliding out of the way to give us space.
Hazel’s lips brush against mine. Her scent fills my nose, striking lightning deep into my heart.
I look around, my gaze traveling over the heads of family and friends. I see our house. Our life. Our future. Since the beginning, it’s all been a twisted game on a chessboard, but all the pieces fell into place in the end.
Though, I guess it’s not really the end, is it?
We still have our entire lives to grow and change. To screw up and make up. To have and to hold.
King and Queen. Equal partners.
Best dotted line I’ve ever signed.