Page 123 of Choosing Us

“I promise to always say yes when you ask if we can dance in the kitchen, to never give up in your quest to figure out the perfect cookie recipe.” He smirks at the crowd at that part. “To always be honest and true, and to love you every day of my life.” I slide his wedding ring onto his finger, and he flexes his hand once before taking my hands in his.

“Harlow, you are the best thing that has ever come into my life. I didn’t even know how much I needed you until you stole my heart and became such a source of joy and love.” Ryan pauses and clears his throat before exhaling a deep breath. I reach up to wipe away a tear off his cheek, and he leans into my touch with a soft nod. He’s always the steady one, and seeing him overcome with such emotion in this moment nearly undoes me. I take his hand again, releasing my own deep breath as he continues. “I promise to assume the best, and to remind you of the incredible gift you are to me every single day, both by encouraging words and dependable actions. Loving you is the joy of my life. It is an honor to call you my wife, and I will do whatever I can to make all your dreams for our lives together come true. I love you with every ounce of the man that I am and anything I ever hope to be.” He slides a narrow diamond-embedded wedding band on my finger to fit next to my engagement ring.

“Ryan and Harlow, you have declared your intent and exchanged rings as a physical representation of the commitment you are making here today before your family, friends, and God. It is my honor by the power vested in me by the State of Tennessee to pronounce you husband and wife. Ryan, you may kiss your bride.”

Ryan wraps a hand around my waist and pulls me into him, turning us slightly as he dips me back and kisses me. I wrap my arms around his neck, getting lost in the moment. As he stands me back up, he interlaces our fingers as the crowd cheers for us. I glance up at my husband—my husband!!—and am unsure how I got so lucky. I never thought a love like this was in the cards for me, until Ryan proved me wrong in all the best ways.

Looking around the barn—a detail that I made sure is included in our wedding announcement for The Cotton Ledger—I am once again overwhelmed by the amount of love and joy that meets my eyes as I survey the small gathering of our family and friends.

I’m not only a Callahan now, I’m home.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

I nod to the barn door, and Walker holds up one finger, telling me he is not quite ready for the surprise. Months ago, Harlow commented that the only thing missing from our house was a dog.

My wife didn’t need to tell me twice.

Damn. My wife. I really like the sound of that.

I know as a child she always wanted a pet, but her mother refused to let her get one. She wasn’t home much with her studies and activities, but when she was home, my girl was alone except for the hired staff.

So, when she made the comment, it was about more than just getting a dog for us, but also a way to let Harlow’s inner child get her wish fulfilled.

Walker has an awesome dog named Ghost that he got from his brother back in Texas. Ghost is a gorgeous English cream golden retriever with the best personality, and can snore louder than any dog I’ve ever met. When I asked Walker if his brother Charlie had any upcoming litters, he told me they were expecting more puppies this fall. Two weeks ago, Charlie’s dog Lola had five healthy, adorable puppies.

And one of those little girls has been reserved as the ultimate wedding present for my bride.

It has been killing me to keep this surprise from Harlow.

I thought we were going to go outside and video call Charlie—that was the plan—but instead, Walker strides up to the stage and takes the microphone the DJ is holding out for him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention for just a moment. Harlow and Ryan, can you both join me up here on stage, please?”

I try to look cool and collected, but this was not the plan. I stage whisper to Walker, trying to get him to tell me what’s going on. My brother-in-law has a grin on his face, and it’s a little larger than just joy from today’s festivities.

“Are you alright? Are you having a stroke?” I try to keep my voice down, but I know this man and surprises are not his thing.

Walker laughs and shakes his head but ignores my questions as we wait for Harlow to join us. My wife steps up on stage, giving Walker her own quizzical look.

“For those of you that don’t know me, I am honored to be the groom’s brother-in-law, and I also have the privilege of working on the same task force as the bride.” I reach for Harlow and tuck her under my arm as we apparently watch the Walker Show at our wedding.

“What’s going on? I thought it was time for the thing,” Harlow says to Walker, and I narrow my eyes at her not understanding what’s going on either.

“You guys are honestly perfect for each other.” Walker takes the glass of champagne that Vivian brought to him, before she slips under his arm with a grin of her own. “It’s an incredible honor to watch two such phenomenal people find a steady and true love in one another. And it’s very fun to be a part of a surprise—for both of you.”

“What’s going on, man?” I call out, over the theatrics.

“Trust me, it’s good,” Vivian says with a grin.

“Months ago, Ryan came to me and asked if I would look into something for him.” The dude is stealing my thunder. “And unbeknownst to each other, Harlow came to me about a week and a half later with the same request.”

Harlow’s gasp matches my dropped jaw.

“Sometimes, the best gift is just being silent,” Walker tells both of us. “You both wanted to surprise each other with the exact same kind of dog and even went to the same source for it. So, I thought it would be fun to surprise you both with the second worst kept secret—you two are perfect for each other.”

Walker nods to the screen that’s set up over the head table as Charlie Bennett, one of Walker’s older brothers, comes into view cradling a little two-week-old puppy with a pink bow attached to her collar.

“Oh my gosh, she’s so perfect!” Harlow gushes as she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.