Epilogue

Bliss looked down at her pale pink dress with lace trip at the collar and cuffs in admiration. The day she had been waiting for had come. Today she would become Mrs. Bliss Slade. Her stomach flipped at the thought. This wedding was different from her last. The entire feeling surrounding it was different - better - than the last had been with Joe. She knew that Clint loved her with all of his heart. She could tell by the way he looked at her, by the way his hand clasped over hers anytime there was a chance, the way that he was the perfect gentleman to her. Joe had never had any of those qualities.

Pushing the thoughts of the evil man aside, she looked at herself in the mirror one last time. The sun brightened her hair that was pulled back into a loose chignon, making it glisten and shine. Her eyes seemed a little bit of a brighter brown today, even though she hadn’t got much sleep at all. Her whole face conveyed that she was truly happy. Her dress, with it stylish fashion and beautiful lace trimmings, couldn’t hold a candle to how beautiful she felt on the inside.

Thank you for this day, Lord. For this dream that is finally coming true. For everything that Clint and I have, and everything that is sure to be. There are no words to express how truly grateful I am to you for your blessings.

Grace opened the door to her bedroom and rushed in. “I found it,” she said.

Bliss drew her eyebrows close together and looked at the small jewelry box in Grace’s hand. “Found what?”

She had been confused when Grace rushed off moments before, saying that she forgot something. Now her curiosity replaced the confusion as Grace opened the jewelry box.

She withdrew a brooch from the box and held it up for Bliss to see. “This was your mothers,” she said fondly. “She had worn it on her wedding day, and I figure that it’s only right for you to wear it.”

Bliss’ eyes glistened with tears as she studied the pin in Grace’s hand. It was beautiful. Tiny pale pink flowers stood out against the ivory background of the brooch and complimented the gold lining. It matched her dress perfectly. Most of all, it had been worn by her mother.

“Thank you for giving me this, Grace. You don’t know how much it means to me,” Bliss said, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle the tears.

“Don’t cry, sweetie. Clint will wonder what on earth he did wrong,” Grace said with a hint of a smile on her face as she pinned the brooch to the collar of Bliss’ dress.

Bliss turned to the mirror and smiled at the piece of jewelry. “It’s lovely,” she whispered.

“Your mother would be so proud of you, honey. I believe this is exactly how she would have wanted you to look on your wedding day. I’m sure she is giggling at the irony of you marrying Clint Slade, too,” Grace commented.

Bliss laughed slightly. “It is a funny twist of fate, isn’t it?”

Grace sighed. “But it has all worked out for good. If you would have told me three months ago that you and Clint would be getting married, let alone with God at the head of your marriage, I would have called you crazy. Leave it up to life to surprise you, though.”
A knock sounded at the door.

“We’re ready,” Hawk said. “Mr. Cooper will be here in a minute.”

“Okay, thank you, Hawk,” Grace said.

She turned back to Bliss. “You’ll make a great wife, my dear. I’m sure of it. I’ve taught you how to cook decently, and that is what makes a marriage work most of the time.”

Bliss laughed at the woman and hugged her. “Thank you for raising me. I know Momma would appreciate it so much. I couldn’t have asked for a better second mother.”

Grace smiled and her eyes glistened with tears. “It was my pleasure.”

Bliss gave her cheeks a quick pinch and examined her appearance once more.

Her door opened, and her father poked his head inside.

“Are we ready?” he asked.

Bliss nodded, and Grace left the room to give them a moment alone.

Daddy looked her up and down before his gaze finally landed on her eyes. “You’re beautiful, sweetheart.”

Bliss smiled and held out her hand to him. He accepted it.

“You don’t resemble your mother much in looks, Bliss, but you have the same sparkle in your eye that she had the day we were married. You’re just as beautiful as she was inside and out,” Daddy said before he kissed her hair.

Bliss sniffed deeply. “Thank you. I just hope I can be everything that Clint needs - and deserves.”

“Don’t start doubting that, now. I may not tell you this but once, but I’ve never seen a female who can put a man in his place as quick as you can. You’ll make a good wife, and he better realize that or I’ll pound him.”

Bliss laughed at her father’s words. They both knew that Daddy couldn’t put much of a hurting on Clint, but it was sweet that he would be willing to try. She had no doubts that Clint would treat her right.

Daddy extended his elbow to her. “Are you ready?”

Bliss nodded. She appreciated how close she and her father had become over the past month of preparation. Once he had come clean about why he had kept so many secrets and they found common ground, their relationship had grown closer and closer. She felt that she could trust her father with anything now. All she had to do was work on being the witness that he needed to turn back to Christ, just as Clint had been to her.

She linked her arm through his and they walked down the hall toward the open back door.

Beyond the front porch, benched were set up for the few guests of the small ceremony. Colt wasn’t present today, and that bothered her for a moment. She had desperately wanted her best friend to share her big day with her, but she guessed she couldn’t blame him for not wanting to be there. Beyond the benches was a wooden arch laden with ribbons and a few wildflowers. Under it stood the preacher from town and next to him stood Clint, the love of her life.

He looked mighty dashing with his freshly cut hair combed to the side, a black string tie connecting the collar of a crisp white shirt that lay under his trusty black vest that blended with his black pants. He looked fancy plumb down to his shiny shoes. The smile that split his face in two was the more charming thing about his appearance. That slight dimple on one side of his face made her cherish the smile that he was directing at her. It was hard to believe that not too long ago, such a smile would have never come from him. He had truly changed from a dark, depressing gunfighter to the bright, youthful, Christian young man that she had only dreamed of. Yet another loving blessing from her Heavenly Father.

Her father led her up the center of the benches until she stood right beside Clint. The ceremony went by without much notice on Bliss’ part. She said the right words with confidence, having memorized the vows weeks before. She couldn’t take her mind off of Clint, the living miracle standing in front of her. He was just as a man ought to be.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Clint, you may kiss your bride,” the preacher said.

Hoots and hollers came from the cowboys as Bliss glanced at their audience nervously. Clint must have noticed her trepidation, for he took her face with both of his hands and wiped away all of her thoughts of the people around them as his lips met hers. His arms went around her waist and he lifted her up off the ground. Bliss smiled against his lips and wrapper her arms around his neck. Their first kiss was more than she could have ever expected, especially since Clint was a much better kisser than even those far-fetched dime novels portrayed him to be.

“You know I finally named my horse, right?” Clint whispered in her ear.

Bliss looked down at him.

“His name’s Lucky… just like me,” Clint winked up at her.

Bliss smiled and kissed his cheek.

He set her on the ground and they stared into each other’s eyes. Bliss felt her heart swell as Clint took both of her hands into his. She squeezed his hands tightly and smiled up at him.

This was where her life began.

This was how joy felt, to be surrounded by the ones she loved - most of them - and to be held by the man she loved most. But most of all, to know that her life was cradled by a perfect Savior.

This was how it felt to know that she was protected.

*sniffle* I don't know whether to smile or cry. I guess there's nothing to worry about, because we're not saying goodbye to these people yet! I'm talking sequel! :D

"Redemption" coming soon!

Leave a review down below and it would be much appreciated! Thank you guys so much for reading this book! It means so, so much to me! Like, I don't know that I would do without all of you!

Click the External Link to find out what happens to Colt in "Redemption" :D