Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You think you can handle me for a lifetime?” I ask.
“Eternity, baby.”
EPILOGUE ARCHER
Archer
I’m getting married today. I’ve been waiting on this day since the moment I proposed, but there was a lot going on. Blakely turned seven. We had Memorial Day, then Remi turned two, and then last week it was the Fourth of July. We didn’t want to take away from any of those days, and we didn’t want to get married on a holiday.
So here we are. We’re getting married at the park side of Willow River. It’s where I proposed, and Scarlett said all the trees and the river would be the perfect backdrop for pictures. I didn’t care where we got married, as long as it was soon.
I can’t wait for her to be Scarlett Kincaid.
Something that I’d hoped for but wasn’t sure would ever happen, and the day is finally here. We have three tents set up. One for the groom, one for the bride, and one huge ten that will be for the wedding and the reception. Once we settled on a date, the women in my family rallied to give my girl her dream wedding.
I’m currently standing in a tent all on my own. Orrin brought me a letter from Scarlett, and everyone left to give me some privacy to read it. I stare down at the white envelope and run my thumb across the writing. This letter isn’t from my bride. It’s from her mother. I’m running out of time because I know any minute, one of my brothers is going to stick his head inside this tent and tell me it’s go time. The envelope reads: To the man who marries my daughter. Smiling, I slide my finger beneath the seal. I pull the letter out and start to read.
To my son-in-law,
If you’re reading this, I approve. You see, my daughter, she’s always been strong-willed. It’s going to take a strong man to love her wild spirit. It’s also not hard to like you when I know that we have something in common.
We both chose to love her.
Being her mother was the greatest gift of my life. I want that for her. To have a family who loves and supports her. Your family will be all she has.
Thank you for loving my girl. For not giving up when I know she fought not to let you into her heart. It’s a wonderful place to be once she lets you in. My time with her was way too short, but the impact that she made on my life will live on through you, through her, and your children and grandchildren.
Be happy. Never go to bed angry, and if you do anything, please let her stay wild. She’s got a big heart, and she loves big, too, but you already know that. Make sure she sticks with her photography in some manner. She loves it. I hope you already know that, but if not, help her find that again.
Congratulations, son, and welcome to the family.
Love,
Tiffany
A.K.A.: Your mother-in-law
“Thank you, Tiffany. I promise to always love her.” I shove the letter back into its envelope when Ryder steps into the tent.
“Hey, man, you ready to do this thing?”
“I was born ready.” I turn to face him as he’s pulling his phone out of his pocket. He reads the message as I take one last look in the mirror. “Let’s do this.” I turn back to him, and he’s standing still, staring at his phone. “Ryder?”
He looks up and shoves his phone back into his pocket. “Sorry.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Ryder.”
“Jordyn’s back.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, so I know it’s knocked him on his ass. I open my mouth to say something, but I’m not sure what to say. Did he know she was coming home? I have so many questions, but my soon-to-be bride is waiting for me.
“Let’s get you married, and we can figure out my love life after, yeah?” He plasters on a fake smile, and I have no choice but to let him.
“I’ve got you, brother,” I say, tugging him into a hug.
“Thanks, man. Let’s go get you a wife.”