Dustin turned around, seeing Jessie come out from behind another tree.
“Dammit, I wanted to beat you here.”
Her laughter floated on the air toward him. “You’re never going to beat me.” She put her hand on his chest as she leaned up to kiss him on his cheek.
“You look very handsome.”
“I know.” He grinned down at her. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Jessie went back down to the balls of her feet. “I’m surprised it still fits.”
“I told you it would.”
“You think you know it all.”
“Yeah, I do, because I do.”
Jessie shook her head at him. “You’re getting as arrogant as Greer.”
“I have a long ways to go before I can reach his level.”
“You’re catching up fast.”
Dustin was about to make another wisecrack when they heard the sounds of footsteps on dried leaves.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Pastor Dean apologized as he came to stand with them.
“No problem. I’m just happy you agreed to do this for us,” Dustin said, holding his hand out for the pastor to shake.
After the pastor gave Jessie a quick hug, Dustin and Jessie stood in front of their tree as Pastor Dean took a few steps away and opened his Bible.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered …”
Dustin held Jessie’s hand, staring down into her beautiful eyes that matched the leaves above them as the pastor renewed their wedding vows. When it came to put their wedding rings back on, Dustin was able to slide it on himself this time.
It was a private ceremony for just the two of them. They had taken their first vows in a place that had seen death and sorrow too many times and chosen to renew their vows in a place that held memories of love and new beginnings.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Dustin picked Jessie up, kissing her while twirling her around like he had wanted to do the first time yet wasn’t able.
“Congratulations.”
Dustin turned to shake the pastor’s hand. Then Pastor Dean gave Jessie a hug.
“I better be going. Willa will be wondering where I am. I told her I had an emergency, and she was going to keep the congregation busy singing until I got back.”
“Thank you. Before you go, could you take a picture of Dustin and me?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Dustin handed him the phone, then he and Jessie stood next to the tree. When the pastor was about to hand the phone back, Jessie stopped him.
“Just one more, please.”
Jessie went to the tree, circling her arms around it. Dustin went to the other side of the tree, knowing what she wanted. He reached across the tree to take her hands. Turning his head, he smiled as the pastor took their picture.
“Thank you again, Pastor.” He walked back to take his phone from him, but instead of leaving, the pastor studied the tree and them.
“I can see why this place is special to you.” The pastor drew closer to study the tree, seeing the three places where Tate, Greer, and Dustin had carved their initials into it. “It’s a good, strong tree that has roots deep enough to weather life’s strongest storms, like both of your families. God has blessed you both that you will be able to pass that strength and endurance on to your own children.” Pastor Dean touched the tree again, almost as if he didn’t want to leave, then gave a shake of his head. “I better go. Willa will be preaching her own sermon at me for taking so long.”
He and Jessie waited until he was gone before they were kissing again.
“If we hurry, we can consummate our new wedding vows before Holly and Logan get back and we have to pick up Noelle from your brothers.”
Grinning like two teenagers who had never made love before, they took off, running back to their home and racing to see who would get there first. As they drew nearer, he let Jessie get ahead of him. His wife loved to gloat when she won, and he didn’t mind. She wouldn’t be a Porter if she didn’t.
Dustin went into the bedroom to see Jessie playing with Noelle on the bed, looking up when she saw him come into the bedroom.
“You’re already back from the drug store?”
Dustin never got tired of watching his wife with Noelle. He thanked God constantly that he had lived and been able see his child be born. That was something he had been denied with Logan.
Jessie was a natural-born mother, and not only with Noelle but with Logan. Sometimes, he would see a hint in her eyes when he would turn to Holly first instead of her, but those times were growing fewer and fewer the longer they lived together.
When the school year started, and they had gone to school to be introduced to his new teacher, Logan had introduced Jessie and Holly as his mothers. Jessie had to excuse herself to go to the restroom. When she had come back, Dustin had seen the red tinge under her eyes and knew she had been crying.