I kept reminding myself of Dr. Ashford’s warning. Nothing to worry about until there is something to worry about. That was the gist. And I recognized my anxiety. I wore it proudly, carried it around with me. I guess knowing it was there made it more manageable, but I still felt that familiar sickness in my tummy, like trouble was looming.

Reed texted me a few times during the draft, and I recorded everything for him and Buck to see when they finally made it home. He looked so right holding up the blue and gold jersey to his chest. When I closed my eyes, it was like I’d seen him there all along. He was where he was supposed to be; he’d done it. Number 13. My number 13, at least…for now.

I was getting ready with Sienna at Sarah’s house, when I finally got his text that they’d made it home.

Hey, we just got in. Dad’s getting ready. He’s nervous. It’s funny.

The thought of Buck feeling nervous made me smile. He’d been married to a strong woman before—Millie. But Rosie was different. I felt like he had finally found his equal.

Well make sure you get him there on time!

I joked, thinking about how pissed Rosie would be if the boys showed up late.

Oh we’ll be there, Princess. Can’t wait to see you!

His words warmed my insides, and I pushed myself to soak in the now. Tonight, he couldn’t wait to see me. That was my reality, and by God I was going to enjoy it.

Sarah braided Sienna and my hair into twists and loops, wrapping it atop our heads. Sienna tackled Sarah’s since I was useless when it came to things like this. We all had these cute white shirtdresses with cowboy boots. Rosie had picked them out, saying she hated the traditional bridesmaid look that got relegated to the back of the closet as soon as the ceremony was over.

Her daughter-in-law was also joining us in the ceremony, and we spent the first hour, long before the boys arrived, taking pictures. It was a little warm outside, which made me even happier to have a light cotton dress on. I was fanning myself with one of the wedding programs when I heard the familiar rumble of Reed’s Jeep.

I stood up and shielded my eyes from the setting sun when I heard his whistle.

“Whoa,” he said, walking up to me in dark jeans with his boots and a dark gray jacket over his dress shirt. If I didn’t know he was a football player, I would have mistaken him for a bull rider. I’d never seen him dressed in his country finest, and I had to admit, it was hot as hell.

“Whoa, yourself. You look hot, Wildcat,” I teased, also reaching around him and stuffing my hands in his back pockets to cop a feel of his awesome ass. He jumped a little when I did, which made me giggle. He reached around me and dipped me backwards in his arms, dangling me dangerously close to the ground before he kissed me and pulled me back up to his body, swinging me around.

“Not a Wildcat anymore, remember?” he said, his smile lighting up his face.

“Yeah, but Charger just doesn’t have the same ring to it. It’s not really a pet name. I think I’ll still call you Wildcat if that’s okay,” I joked.

Reed just lifted me in the air again and twirled me around once more. “You can call me whatever you want,” he winked, setting me back down gently. He flitted at my skirt a bit while I turned around to let him take the outfit in. “Rosie did good. You look unbelievable. Like I just picked you up from some stage in Nashville.”

“Hey, careful, buster. I might start singing,” I said, causing Reed to cringe a little and squint one eye. Music didn’t run in my veins, and when I tried to sing for real it rarely came out on key.

“Reed! I need some help, son. Pronto!” Buck shouted from a side door in the dressing room area of the barn. Reed just turned to look at me one more time, grabbing my hand and kissing it.

“Looks like I have to give the old man a pep talk,” he laughed, and then got a little serious all of a sudden, stepping in closer to me. “I’ll see you on the aisle?”

I just nodded and pushed him a bit, urging him to go to help his dad. “Yeah, yeah…you’ll see me,” I said, gulping a little and pushing down my anxiety that was starting to rear its ugly head.

“Nothing’s wrong, we’re okay; he’s not gone yet.” I thought.

The barn was lined with rows of white chairs, and every seat was full when the ceremony finally started. The fiddlers played a beautiful classical tune that I didn’t recognize, but it still had a country flavor because of them. I turned the corner of my hallway and met Reed at the door to walk down the aisle together. He reached out his arm and I took it, smiling up at him and just breathing him in.