Chapter 68

Jason, Wren and Luther stood outside the back room watching for Thomas to give them their cue.

When they received it, Wren knocked on the door, "You guys ready? The girls are almost here."

Ryder looked at Terry, his eyes widened and his eyebrows raised, "This is it."

Terry gave Ryder one last brush over the shoulders. "This is it," he smiled.

The brothers stepped out of the room and joined the other men. Each of them wearing a black suit Jacket, black vest, blue jeans, boots and black felt cowboy hats. The groomsmen wore black ties while Ryder's was pink. They made their way through the barn and stepped outside. Ryder took a quick breath, looked at his groomsmen, and nodded. They walked down the aisle between the rows of chairs that led to the arbor that Ryder had made. They stood in their rehearsed places and waited, watching for the carriages to come into view.

After a brief threat of rain that morning, the skies had cleared to a beautiful blue, a few sAbigailtered clouds floated by. The leaves had just begun to turn and the meadow was surrounded by a palette of colors. The sound of wagon wheels turning drew everyone's attention in the direction of the approaching carriages.

Ryder watched, waiting to Catch of glimpse of Isobel, as his heart raced and his palms sweated.

The carriages stopped along the side of the barn, blocking Ryder's view from the passengers in the second one.

With the help of the driver, the women and girls stepped down from the carriages and walked through the side door of the barn. Luke and Austin were waiting inside the barn with Bill and as soon as they caught a glimpse of Sam, they went running, yelling, "Mommy."

Grace and Celeste walked through the open doors and down the aisle to the front rows, nodding and smiling at guests as they went. Celeste had slipped her arm through Grace's as they walked, separating only once they reached their seats.

Luther watched Celeste as she strolled beside Grace, admiring how her dress accentuated her figure. The gown, a blend of lilac satin and plum lace, fell gracefully just below her knees, with the lace neckline tracing across her collarbone and into elegant ¾ sleeves. Pairing it with nude sandals, Celeste appeared like a vision straight out of Luther's dreams.

Nearby, Lance, one of Ryder's friends, strummed his guitar. When Celeste and Grace seated themselves, he transitioned to a different song, soon accompanied by a keyboardist and violinist.

From the barn emerged Sam, followed closely by Rose and Fancy. Clad in dreamy pink dresses with boots, they slowly made their way toward the arbor under the spell of Brandon Heath's "Love Never Fails" playing instrumentally.

Wren and Terry gleamed with happiness as they watched their beloveds walk down the aisle—Terry reminiscing about his own wedding day, while Wren envisioned his future.

Bill reluctantly sent four children down the aisle before closing the barn doors. Savannah held Skylar's hand; both wore charming pink lace dresses paired with cowgirl boots. Austin nervously walked next to his sister, casting wary glances at the guests as they moved forward, while the girls scattered pink rose petals along their path. Luke, dressed in a black suit jacket and jeans with a black cowboy hat, hurried ahead ambitiously to reach his father as soft laughter filled the air.

As the guitarist began to sing, Grace and Celeste rose to their feet, prompting the guests to follow suit.

Love is not proud

Love does not boast

Love after all

Matters the most

As Bill swung open the barn doors, Isobel and Thomas gradually emerged, framed by the sunlight streaming in and bathing them in a golden glow. Ryder's heart pounded through his entire body as she appeared; a celestial vision unfolding before him. The mere sight of her threw his emotions into turmoil, with tears welling up and cascading down his cheeks.

Love does not run

Love does not hide

Love does not keep

Locked inside

Thomas, attire in a sharp grey suit jacket paired with casual jeans, gazed at his daughter with a face radiating pride as they started their walk toward Ryder.

Love is the river that flows through

And love never fails you

Love will sustain

Love will provide

Love will not cease

At the end of time

Isobel struggled to choke back her tears upon seeing Ryder's face, his own streaming freely down his cheeks. Her heart pounded like never before, and a storm of butterflies fluttered wildly in her stomach.

And love will protect

Love always hopes

And love still believes

When you don't

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love never fails you

When my heart won't make a sound

When I can't turn back around

When the sky is falling down

Nothing is greater than this

Greater than this

Ryder swallowed hard, exhaling a long breath through his lips. He wiped the tears from his face, clearing his vision to focus on Isobel.

'Cause love is right here

Love is alive

Love is the way

The truth the life

Love is the river that flows through

Love is the arms that are holding you

And love is the place you will fly to

Love never fails you

In her elegant gown, Isobel stood proudly at the front of the arbor, her right arm linked with her father's left. Ryder was mesmerized by Isobel's wedding dress, adorned with intricate lace that wrapped around the bodice, framed the neckline, and cascaded into delicate off-the-shoulder cap sleeves. Guests admired how the lace continued to accentuate the wide v-back of the gown, perfectly mirroring the front. The full skirt, adorned with box pleats and discreet pockets, struck a perfect balance between simplicity and elegance.

Ryder's gaze roamed up and down Isobel, overwhelmed by her beauty. He finally settled on her face just in time to catch her playful half-smirk as she looked downward. Following her gaze, Ryder noticed Isobel lifting the hem of her dress to reveal a pair of new boots. A laugh escaped Ryder as his nerves began to calm. Isobel always had this effect on him – she could set his heart racing and his mind spinning, yet a single gesture from her could instantly make him feel at peace.

As the music concluded, Luther stepped forward to begin the ceremony.

"Thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to celebrate Ryder and Isobel's union," he began.

"I've only known these two for a short time," Luther continued with a smile towards Celeste, "but it's evident how deep their love is – for each other, their families, and God."

"Let us pray together as we ask for blessings on their marriage."

"Father God, we come to You as one family who loves and cares deeply for Ryder and Isobel. We pray You bless their union today as they become husband and wife and be ever-present in their home. Remain with them through trials and triumphs alike. Thank you for bringing us together today to celebrate this joyous marriage of two of Your children. And all of His people said..."

"Amen," resonated through the meadow as everyone spoke in harmony.

"Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?"

Thomas squeezed Isobel's hand that rested under his own. "Her mother and I do." He kissed Isobel on the cheek, stepped forward with her, and extended her hand to Ryder.

Ryder advanced, clasping her hand in his. As Thomas sat next to Grace, the couple moved closer to Luther, while Isobel handed her bouquet of pink and white roses to Fancy. Turning back, she noticed Ryder wiping away tears that had begun streaming down his face.

Isobel felt nerves gripping her, causing her hands to tremble and her heart to race. Tears welled in her eyes as she gazed at the man who would be her husband.

Ryder grasped both her hands, gave them a gentle shake, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly through his lips.

Silently mouthing 'I love you,' Ryder saw Isobel mirror the words back to him as a tear rolled down her cheek.

He tenderly wiped it away.

Luther opened his Bible to a marked page and began reading.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

"Just like the beautiful song you heard and these words from 1 Corinthians 13: Love never fails. Today we gather because of the love between Ryder and Isobel and because we all love them."

Luther glanced between the couple. "Ryder, Isobel, I want you to always remember this day, and the feelings you have for each other. Cherish the strength of your love for her," he said, looking at Ryder and gesturing towards Isobel. "And cherish the strength of your love for him," he added, turning to Isobel and pointing at Ryder. "There will be times, like in every marriage, when you might question what you saw in each other. Think back to today, recall your emotions, and remember that love keeps no record of wrongs. Love can bring you back together, even when something tries to pull you apart. Love never fails."

Closing the Bible and holding it at his side, Luther announced, "Ryder and Isobel have prepared their own vows and would like to share them now."

Ryder took a deep breath through his nose and grasped their hands again. Raising them up between them, he began, "Isobel Nicole Wright, today I make you my wife. From the moment I first saw you, I knew I wanted you in my life. You invaded my dreams and heart, and I've been anxiously waiting for those dreams to become reality. God brought you into my life for reasons we've seen and others yet unknown. You are my future, my best friend," Ryder said, glancing at Wren with a smile.

Wren responded with a wink, nodding his head and pointing a finger at Ryder. Laughter echoed as Ryder turned back to an amused Isobel. "You are my forever. Because of you and God's love, I've found myself again and become the man my dad raised me to be. I promise to always stand by you, protect you, lift you up when you're down, celebrate your successes with you. I vow to be your biggest supporter and to always love you deeply."

Isobel inhaled sharply as a tear rolled down her cheek; she couldn't believe he had remembered that conversation from the night they rekindled their bond—the night she had fallen in love with him on his front porch.

Regaining her composure slightly, Isobel closed her eyes for a moment before looking deeply into Ryder's hazel eyes. Her heart calmed slightly as she began.

"Ryder Ashton Hayes, you've opened my eyes to a world I never knew was missing from my life. You've shown me a lifestyle I never knew I desired. There was always an emptiness inside of me that I couldn't identify or fill—until I met you. Gradually that void diminished until one day it was completely gone; my life felt whole because of you. You've completed me. Ann Landers once wrote, 'Love is friendship that has caught fire. It takes root and grows one day at a time.' It is quiet understanding and mature acceptance of imperfections; it is real. It strengthens us and extends beyond us—to support our beloved."

"Ryder, I will forever be your biggest supporter in all your endeavors. Leading your cheering section is my honor. I vow to love you eternally, until my very last breath."

"Ryder and Isobel have chosen a branding ceremony to symbolize their union. As an emblem of their deep love, the merging of their lives, and the fiery passion they share for each other, they will brand a piece of wood together."

Ryder approached a fire pit bowl with hot coals that had been glowing since before the ceremony began. Amongst the coals lay a branding iron bearing the initials J and E. Ryder grasped the long handle and carried it back to where Isobel waited by the arbor corner.

With both their hands clutching the handle, they pressed the glowing brand into the wood, watching as smoke rose from where the iron met the soft timber and a small flame flickered up. They lifted the brand and admired their initials now permanently etched into the arbor that Ryder had crafted.

Ryder then returned the brand to the fire pit but placed it in a pail of water to cool down.

Once he rejoined Isobel and held her hand again, Luther spoke quietly.

"The rings?" he prompted.

Ryder turned to Terry, who produced a ring from his pocket and handed it over. Isobel turned to Fancy, who slid a ring from her thumb and gave it to Isobel.

Ryder took Isobel's hand and began slipping the band onto her finger. "I give you this ring as a constant reminder that we face this world together as an unbreakable team." He completed sliding the ring onto her finger with his heartfelt words.

Isobel took Ryder's hand in turn and repeated the ritual, sliding a black titanium ring onto his finger. "I give you this ring as a testament that we face this world together. Always remember I'm by your side, behind you, supporting you," she pledged.

Ryder and Isobel stood hand in hand, smiling at each other in anticipation of Luther's next words.

"By the power vested in me by the state of Georgia, I now pronounce you husband and wife," Luther declared with joy evident in his voice. "Ryder...you may kiss your bride."

With eagerness, Ryder cupped Isobel's face in his hands, pulling her close for a passionate kiss. His right arm encircled her tightly as he raised his left arm holding his hat in front of them to shield their intimate moment from guests as his kiss deepened with fervor.

The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles as Ryder placed his hat back on and took her left hand in his right. The couple turned to face their family and friends while Isobel retrieved her bouquet from Fancy.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Luther announced triumphantly, "it is my great pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ryder Hayes."