The Sugar Queen by Tess Thompson

20

Trapper

I criedwhen I saw my bride walking down the aisle on the arm of her father. She didn’t take her eyes off me as she made her way toward me. The asymmetrical dress showed off one of her gorgeous legs and fluttered when she walked. Her hair was twisted into a knot at the back of her neck, set off with a sparkly headband. Her strong, tan shoulders looked amazing in the sleeveless gown.

But it was her eyes that drew me in and didn’t let go. Those eyes that I’d stared into a thousand times told me everything I needed to know. She loved me. She was pledging her love to me forever.

They reached us and Mr. Vargas kissed his daughter’s cheek and took his place next to my parents.

We stood before Pastor Lund holding hands. The doors of the church opened, drawing everyone’s attention, including ours.

It was Huck, wearing a suit that for once didn’t look rumpled. He slipped into the back row.

He’d come after all. Despite our fight, he’d come to be here for me. I smiled and nodded at him. He nodded back at me.

Brandi and I turned back to Pastor Lund. “Dearly beloved,” Pastor Lund said. “We’re gathered here today to witness the matrimony of these two beautiful young people.”

Brandi hadn’t wanted to write our own vows, because she was afraid to speak in front of everyone. Instead, we’d asked the pastor to take us through the traditional vows. We were nearing the end, and I’d managed to keep it together. Until the pastor asked the last question of me.

“I remember when you two were children attending Sunday school,” Pastor Lund said. “Even back then, it was obvious that Trapper Barnes had eyes for only one girl. All these years later, I can see that it’s still true. The road to this day has been a long one but here we are, finally. Timing is everything, as they say. For whatever reason, it wasn’t yet your time to be together. The good Lord works in mysterious ways. In the years to come, remember to cherish each other and celebrate the miracle of your love. What was lost has now been found again. During squabbles or misunderstandings, try to remember what it was like before you made your way back to each other. As you grow older, keep the passionate teenagers you once were alive. Sneak down to the river together. Kiss in your truck. Dance barefoot in the kitchen. Lie in the summer grass and watch a cloud float by while holding hands. Revel in the small, simple moments of life, knowing how blessed you are to have found true love. Can you do this?”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

“Yes,” Brandi said.

“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or worse, through sickness and health?”

“I do.” My voice cracked. Better or worse. She’d already been through the worst, and without me. I would never allow that to happen again.

He asked the same of Brandi and she said, “I do.”

Both our hands shook as we exchanged rings.

Pastor Lund smiled. “Now, look out at the people in the pews.”

We turned to look out to the church.

“Friends and family,” Pastor Lund said. “There will be times when this couple will need your support. Life can be hard, tragic even, as you already know. During times of need, will you commit to supporting this couple?”

Both my parents nodded, smiling through their tears. Grammie and Pa were holding hands, beaming at us. Breck and Garth sat together with Crystal between them.

Crystal wiped her eyes and nodded. “Yes.”

Garth gave the thumbs-up.

“Amen,” Breck called out.

“I need an amen from each of you,” Pastor Lund said. “Otherwise we might have to call this whole thing off.”

I turned to look at Huck. Would he join them? We locked eyes as a chorus of amens echoed through the church, his included.

“Excellent. This has been a long time coming,” Pastor Lund said. “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close, then kissed my bride.

Our friends and family erupted into cheers and clapping.

We walked down the aisle holding hands. Breck had run ahead to open the doors of the church. As we exited, a sparrow arrived and perched on the railing. She let out a sweet chirp, followed by a flutter of her tiny wings.

“It’s Ava,” Brandi whispered. “Coming to give her blessing.” Tears spilled from her eyes as she looked up at me. “I’m sure of it.”

The sparrow hopped along the railing, chirping, then lifted into the air.

We stood with our arms wrapped around each other as we watched the sparrow until she was merely a fleck against the blue sky.