“Grandpa, these boots are like the story of us!” I say as tears fill my eyes. “They are amazing. I’ll cherish them forever. And I’m definitely wearing them.”
“There’s something I want you to know, Keatyn,” Grandpa says seriously. “Before he proposed, Aiden asked me for your hand.”
“He did?”
“He talked to Tommy as well, but I have to say it choked me up a little—and I don't choke up easily. Grandma says that I’m a ruthless bastard.”
I open my mouth to disagree, but he holds up his hand.
“And your grandmother and I made a big decision last night. When we pass, other than a few small bequests and trusts for future generations, you were set to inherit our estate. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but your grandpa is pretty loaded. When I bought my farm, the neighbors used to say I was all hat and no cattle, but I showed them. With the sale of Captive, I reckon you really don’t need my money, so we’ve changed our plans. We’re endowing our money to the Moon Wish Foundation in the hopes that you and Aiden can do more good things with it.”
“Oh, Grandpa—”
“I know. I know. But don’t you go getting all teary. You’ll make this old man cry, and I can’t let Ma see that. She’ll think I’ve lost it and send me to a home.”
“She will not,” Grandma says from behind us. “Sorry to interrupt, but Ariela says the wedding is about to start, and I have something for you too, sweetheart. When me and this old geezer over here were dating, he didn’t have a pot to piss in, but he had big ideas. And although my father told me never to marry a dreamer, I knew your grandfather wasn’t just going to dream, he was going to achieve, and I wanted to help him do so.”
“Never underestimate the power of a good woman,” Grandpa says, “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have amounted to a hill of beans if it weren’t for her. Hell, back then I would’ve promised anything just to get her to kiss me. Once she did, I realized I’d better deliver.”
Grandma rolls her eyes at Grandpa, but she’s smiling at him.
“On our first anniversary, we were living in a little shack in Texas near an oil rig, and we didn't have much. To celebrate, he bought a cheap bottle of champagne and this rock, which he told me someday he’d replace with a sapphire. On our ten-year anniversary, he did. I considered giving you that ring to wear today, but decided this old rock has more value, because it represents the promise of love and what you can achieve together.” She hands me a smooth blue rock—the kind you find at a tourist stop in different colors. “You should also know that donating to Moon Wish was my idea.”
“Thank you, Grandma,” I say, giving her a tight hug. “Where do you think I should put it?’
Grandpa holds up the boot. “We had a spot made for it.”
Sewn inside the top of the boot is a small suede pouch. Grandma tucks the stone inside, gives me a kiss and says, “I better get going. Your Grandma Stevens and I will be the first up for the processional.”
I grab the locket with the photo of my dad and tuck it in with the stone.
Tommy steps into the room, looking handsome in his tuxedo.
“Are you ready? Ariela says we have to get going now if we want this wedding to start on time.”
“Yes, I'm ready,” I say, quickly pulling on the boots.
Tommy takes my hands and admires my dress. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Tommy.”
“I’m honored to be walking down the aisle with you.”
“You’ve treated me like your daughter since you met my mom, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Then let’s go get you hitched,” Grandpa says, leading us out the door.
Asher Vineyards — Wedding
AIDEN
Riley and I take our places at the altar. I’m nervous. Excited. Happy. And I can’t stop smiling.
I’m standing under an altar decked out in white tulle, softly colored flowers, and a large chandelier—one that Keatyn pulled out of storage, telling Ariela she had purchased it years ago just for this day.
There are ribbons blowing in the trees around us, each hand calligraphed with gold letters spelling out our words of love.