But at that moment, he was less concerned with who was standing with him than who was going to be walking down the aisle to him in a few short minutes.
Tristan started to smile the minute the doors at the back of the sanctuary opened to let the first bridesmaid through. They each walked with slow, measured steps that made him want to yell at them to go more quickly. They were all beautiful, but still not the one he was waiting for.
Finally, Timothy appeared, a huge grin on his face. He walked a lot faster than the bridesmaids had, and when he got to the front, he smacked the hand that Tristan held out, then he turned to face the sanctuary.
Resting his hands on Timothy’s shoulders, Tristan swallowed hard as Shayna and Martin appeared in the open doors at the back. Finally.
Wearing a slim fitting dress in white with lace sleeves and a small train, Shayna had never looked more beautiful. She wore her hair up which revealed the earrings he’d bought her for their special day.
As she neared him, their gazes met and held. And from that moment on, no one else existed.
After handing her bouquet to Lisa, Shayna took his hands, holding them tightly in hers. As the pastor welcomed everyone, she smiled and mouthed, “I love you.”
Tristan felt tears prick at his eyes as he mouthed it back to her. To be at this moment with her felt a bit like a minor miracle.
When the pastor had them recite the vows, Shayna stumbled a bit over the til death do us part line, her voice going soft with emotion, and Tristan understood completely where her thoughts had gone. He knew that there were no guarantees they’d grow old together, but he planned to make the most of the days they did have.
Finally, Timothy came over to stand with them. When the pastor requested them, the boy held out his hand with the rings. Two gold bands lay in his palm, and Timothy smiled as Tristan slid the ring on Shayna’s finger to go with the engagement ring he’d given her six months earlier.
Then, the three of them held hands as the pastor prayed, asking for God’s blessing on Shayna and Tristan’s marriage and on their little family of three. When the pastor mentioned Timothy’s name in the prayer, the boy’s hand tightened on Tristan’s. Opening his eyes a crack, Tristan fought back a laugh when he saw Timothy’s face, his eyes scrunched closed but a huge smile on his face.
My son.
And that’s what he was. Lorne had been the one there when he was born and the early years of his life, but Tristan looked forward to sharing that role with the man’s memory in the years to come. There was no competition there, only love for a boy who had known so much loss in his life.
After he ended his prayer, the pastor told them they could kiss. Never one to miss an opportunity to kiss Shayna, Tristan drew her into his arms. She lifted her hands to rest them on the back of his neck as their lips met in a lingering kiss. Cheers and whistles erupted from those around them.
Once the kiss was over, they stayed close, gazing into each other’s eyes.
“Thank you for letting me reach your heart, love,” Tristan said softly, tears pricking at his eyes. “I love you. Now and for always."
Shayna leaned forward to press another kiss to his lips. “Thank you for being patient with me. I love you so very much. More than I ever thought possible.”
“I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
Turning to face their friends and family, Tristan took Timothy’s hand while Shayna reached out to take her bouquet back from Lisa. Smiling, Tristan lifted their clasped hands as their loved ones clapped and cheered.
From off to the side, Gabe called out, “Let’s go celebrate love!”
Scriptures quoted in
Reaching Her Heart:
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights are reserved.
Coming January 2019
They were high school sweethearts…
until he presented her with an impossible choice.
The unintended consequences of his selfish actions have left a family torn apart.
He’s back now, full of regret for how he treated her,
wanting a second chance.
She may be willing to forgive him,
but she’ll never forget the choice he wanted her to make and what happened afterward.
How can he prove to her that he’s changed?
And does she even care if he has?
Available now for pre-order.
Yesterday’s Promises
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Reaching Her Heart: A Christian Romance (Callaghans & McFaddens Book 8) Page 36
