MATTEO: Wild Fire (Raging Fire Book 2), page 41
Marc returned to the back, and Matt’s gaze became laser-focused on the area where Dakota would come out from—eventually. He couldn’t wait to catch his first glimpse of his bride, but first Mama stepped around the barn and looked up at Marc. She bestowed her beautiful smile on him before resting her hand on the forearm he extended.
As they started toward the aisle, Mama’s gaze zoomed in on Rafe, Franco, Tony, and finally Matt. He’d never seen her more radiant. She too had dressed in Western wear, hers deep blue. Mama took her seat in the row across from where Cynthia and Nana sat, and Marc left one chair open for Paul before taking his own seat. He and Angelina exchanged a warm smile, perhaps remembering their own wedding day.
Matt was grateful that Mama and Dakota got along so well. During his talk with Mama prior to proposing, Matt hadn’t been sure how she’d feel about having a non-Italian daughter-in-law, but clearly, it didn’t matter to her. She’d become a mother to Dakota just as if she’d birthed her. But he was glad their bond was purely from the heart!
Man, the weird things going through my head at a moment like this.
The music changed, and Matt’s heart rhythm sped up. Almost time. He smiled, anticipating the first glimpse of his bride. When Carmella appeared from around the side of the barn next, he tried not to let his disappointment show. Apparently, he’d forgotten everything they’d gone over at rehearsal last night.
Her gaze zeroed in on Tony’s face. Matt turned toward his brother, who looked at Carmella as if he hadn’t seen her in a year.
I understand that feeling now.
Walking slowly down the aisle, Carmella held a single sunflower tied with a russet-colored ribbon. Next came Angelina, who carried a bouquet with three sunflowers to convey her role as matron of honor. She took her place beside Carmella.
A new song began to play: “Keeper of the Stars.”
“Everyone stand, please, and welcome our bride,” Rafe said.
All eyes became glued on the side of the barn, and Matt held his breath. Paul came out first holding a lead rope adorned with ribbons and flowers. Kahlo’s ribbon-festooned head and mane came into view followed by the most beautiful woman in the world.
My cowgirl.
She wore a white cowboy hat and her dress appeared to be molded to her upper body, showing off her breasts. The neckline wasn’t cut low enough for him, but he supposed brides liked to have a little modesty.
Matt shifted his focus to her face and caught her smiling as if she knew exactly where his thoughts had gone. They could read each other like a book now. He’d never felt as strong a connection with anyone before in his life.
As they walked behind the rows of chairs, he saw her hat had been decorated at the back with lots of puffy lace and sunflowers, her favorite flower. As they reached the start of the aisle, Matt caught a glimpse of pearl-colored boots. He’d been enjoying the hell out of them as Dakota wore them around the house breaking them in. They’d also look damned sexy on her after he removed that dress tonight.
Paul led Dakota and Kahlo down the aisle, closer and closer to Matt. He stepped forward to greet them, and when she was just a few feet away, Paul extended the lead to Matt but didn’t release it.
“I’m delivering to you the love of your life, Matt,” Paul said. “Be good to her, or you’ll answer to me.”
Matt raised his brows, then smiled. Without a doubt, not only Paul but everyone present today would be on his ass if he took a wrong step with this woman. Not that he ever would!
“Don’t you worry, Paul. I’ll cherish her until the day I die.”
With a nod, Paul released the lead to him and moved across the aisle to sit beside Mama. Matt came around to Kahlo’s left side. Dakota had worked hard to get the horse used to Paul and Ryder for today’s ceremony. Matt stroked the mare’s neck, thanking her for being so patient and for carrying his bride down the aisle to him.
Matt smiled up again at the beautiful cowgirl who’d said yes to him. The thought of spending the rest of his days with her humbled him greatly, and he had to swallow past the lump in his throat.
He lifted his arms to help her dismount. Once her boots were firmly on the ground, Angelina came forward to straighten her skirt, but Matt couldn’t look away from his bride’s sparkling emerald eyes.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.
She blushed a little. “You clean up pretty good yourself, Matteo.”
With a grin, he took Dakota’s hand as Ryder led Kahlo off to the corral.
The couple took their places before Rafe who held a small booklet in his hand. Looked like Mama’s prayer book. They’d shared copies of their vows with him ahead of time, in case either of them needed prompting. Rafe reminded them to face each other and join hands in front of the gathering.
“Family and friends,” Rafe began, “we’re gathered today to witness the joining in marriage of these two individuals who wish to begin their lives together. We’re here to watch and celebrate with them as two hearts become one.”
Damn, Bro! You’re going to reduce me to tears if you keep this shit up.
Matt blinked his eyes, determined not to cry in front of Dakota. She gave his hand a comforting squeeze. Busted. He could never hide anything from her.
Matt missed some of what Rafe said next but picked it up again with, “Matteo, do you take Dakota to be your wife, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor her, to love her faithfully through the best and the worst, whatever may come? If you ever have any doubt, to remember the love you feel for each other in this moment and the reason you came together today?”
Rafe’s words hit him right in the gut. He’d never taken a more solemn vow, not even when he joined the fire service. But like that one, this one was easy to commit to.
“I do,” Matt said loudly so all the world would know his intentions toward this woman.
“Dakota, do you take Matteo…” Rafe repeated the words for her, and hearing that “I do” as they stared into each other’s eyes filled Matt with more love and joy than he’d known could exist. Thank God she’d come back into his life.
“If I could have the rings,” Rafe said to Angelina and Franco, who both produced the rings they’d been holding onto for this moment and placed them on Rafe’s open book.
“Before Dakota and Matteo exchange rings to seal their vows, they’ve prepared some special promises they’d like to share with each other now. Matteo…” Rafe prompted.
Matt swallowed, his mind a jumble right now with all the words he’d spent the past few days memorizing to say to his bride at this moment in the ceremony. Blank.
“Today, I marry…” Rafe prompted.
The words came back to him in an instant.
“Today, I marry my best friend.” He cleared his throat so that he could get through the rest. “I’m so glad we found each other again and discovered how much we belong together. Dakota, I promise to be the best husband and friend I can be. I promise to be your champion and your advocate in all things and to encourage you in all your endeavors. I know we’re a tiny part of a much bigger picture, and I will lend a helping hand to you and those around us. Together, we will meet each challenge we have to face and will strive to nurture goodness within each other and in our loved ones, our community, and our home. I will never take you for granted, Sweet Lady, because I know how blessed I am to have you in my life.”
He brushed another tear off her cheek as the enormity of the responsibility and devotion he felt for her filled him. He’d carry those feelings with him the rest of his life.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Matteo looked so handsome dressed all in black from his cowboy hat to his Western suit coat with red piping, black Wranglers, and cowboy boots.
Seldom one to cry, Dakota couldn’t hold back the tears today as she listened to Matteo’s heartfelt words and promises. Her love for this man would never know any bounds. He’d already given her the world when he made her a part of his, but he’d also given her roots in their home and with their family and their community. Matteo reached up and brushed away the tear from her cheek, smiling with understanding because his own eyes were swimming a little bit.
“Dakota,” Rafe prompted, “begin whenever you’re ready.”
She had taken a more lighthearted approach to her vows in places, and hoped he’d accept it in the spirit intended.
Here goes.
“Matteo, I haven’t always believed in a higher power, but I know it wasn’t a coincidence that we were brought back together last October in Amarillo. The moon and the stars aligned perfectly to bring us back together again on Christmas Eve, with a little help from an ornery bull.”
He grinned for the first time ever at her mentioning a bull ride, probably because she’d promised not to get on another bull again as long as she lived.
“I can’t promise to be any more domestic than you are,” she grinned, “but with Angelina’s, Mama’s, and now Nana’s guidance, I promise to learn how to follow a recipe and do my best to take turns in the kitchen at home and perhaps someday in the firehouse.”
He’d been making strides in the kitchen as well, learning from the guys at the station.
Now that she’d calmed her nerves, Dakota grew more serious. “Matteo, you can count on me to be an equal partner—whether it’s in the house, the barn, or anywhere else on the ranch.”
She no longer recited from the script she’d written, but only Rafe would know that. These words came from deep in her heart.
“You have brought so much joy into my life, Matteo. I promise to work hard to bring even more into your life with everything I do and say.”
Not that they wouldn’t have their moments of misunderstandings and blowups, but he already knew that from their past history.
“I will delight in our adventures and persevere with you in any challenges we face. I will laugh with you in good times and console you when you’re downhearted. And we will strive to come to mutual decisions that are best for both of us, as well as our family, friends, and community.”
She glanced over at Nana who had tears streaming down her face, and then at Mama, who held onto Paul’s hand, smiling through tears of her own.
Dakota returned her attention to her beloved groom. Being a part of a family and community like the ones Matteo had brought her into was the icing on the cake as far as she was concerned. She no longer had an urge to ramble around the countryside in search of whatever accolades or approval she could gain on the rodeo circuit. Her place was beside this man doing worthwhile things that made a difference in their world.
“Today is only the beginning of building our lives together. I will love and cherish you today, tomorrow, and forever, Matteo. I love you, my cowboy fireman.”
Rafe didn’t say anything, no doubt uncertain whether she had finished, until she gave him a nod and a smile.
“Matteo, if you’ll take Dakota’s ring.” Rafe held out the open book and Matt picked up the smaller of the two gold rings. Then he took Dakota’s left hand in his and positioned the ring at the tip of her third finger.
“With this ring, Dakota, we forge a new path on this adventure together called life. I love you now and always will. Please accept this ring as a token of my faithfulness and love.”
“I will,” she said through the frog in her throat. He slipped the ring onto her finger as the sun glinted off the gold, infusing light and love into this new phase in their life together. Carmella had told them about silicone rings, so they each had one of those as well for when they were doing anything remotely dangerous, but today was all about the traditional ones.
Next, Rafe held out the book to Dakota who picked up Matteo’s ring and took his hand.
“Matteo, I give you this ring as a reminder of my love and faithfulness. Like these rings, our love is continuous and unbreakable.”
“Matteo and Dakota,” Rafe said, “today you have declared your wishes to be united in marriage in the presence of these witnesses and have pledged your love to each other. You have confirmed the same by declaring your vows, by joining hands, and by exchanging rings. Therefore, by the authority vested in me by the State of Colorado, I am pleased to pronounce you husband and wife.”
Rafe paused and smiled down at them. “Matteo, I know you’ve been waiting for me to say this all day. You may kiss your bride.”
Matt removed his hat and leaned closer to his beautiful, sexy wife. Using the hat as a shield from all those present except Rafe, he kissed her long and deep to the hoots and hollers of some of their friends and applause from the others. He heard Jason cheering them on and was fairly certain Nana’s shouts of encouragement were the loudest.
I love that woman too.
Good thing, because she’d announced at dinner last night she was turning over the operation of her ranch to Cynthia and her husband, who already were heavily involved in running it. Nana planned to move to Leadville, at least for a while, so she could get to know Dakota better.
When his bride started to giggle—whether at Nana or the length of the kiss—Matt broke free and stared into her eyes.
“There’s a lot more where that came from, Sweet Lady. Just wait until we’re alone tonight.”
“I can’t wait.”
Rafe cleared his throat. “We’re not finished here yet.” They looked toward his brother; even he couldn’t hide a rare grin. He opened the prayer book and read:
May God keep you of one heart
in love with one another
for the rest of your days,
and may peace abide always in your home.
May you be blessed in your children,
have solace in your friends
and enjoy true peace with everyone.
Rafe looked up at them again. “Congratulations, Matt and Dakota. Now, turn and face your family and friends.”
They did as instructed, clasping hands and smiling brightly. Matt donned his hat again.
“It is my honor to present to you Dakota and Matteo Giardano,” Rafe announced.
When Matt had asked her if she wanted to keep her own name, trying to be a modern-thinking guy with his independent woman, Dakota said she’d never really had an emotional connection to the Mathison surname. She did identify as Dakota, though, more than Alison or Patryce, her birth name. So she’d told him she’d be proud to take on her new and final name—Dakota Giardano.
Man, I love the sound of that.
“We hope everyone can join the newlyweds under the tent on the side of the house for a reception and supper to follow immediately,” Rafe announced.
Everyone stood clapping and cheering them on as they walked down the makeshift aisle together. They ran around the side of the barn to get ahead of the crowd, and he pulled her inside so he could kiss her more thoroughly while they waited for the guests to make their way to the party tent.
He wasn’t sure how long they were in there, but it must have been a while. Tony ducked his head through the door. “What are you two doing in here? We’re ready for you.” He closed the gap and clapped Matt on the back. “Welcome to the club, Bro.”
Matt laughed. “I didn’t think you and Angelina should be the only siblings enjoying wedded bliss any longer.”
Tony turned to Dakota and opened his arms, and she walked into them. “Glad to have a new sister, Dakota.” He pulled away and met her gaze. “And if this lug gives you any trouble, you just call Tony, and I’ll kick his ass.”
“I’m sure I can handle him myself, but thanks for the offer.”
“Hey, which team are you on?” Matt asked her. He shook his head in mock chagrin, but he’d probably said something similar to Carmella after they’d announced their surprise marriage to the family two Christmas Eves ago.
“Ready to make your entrance?”
After Tony left, Matt figured he had time to kiss Dakota once more. Then they heard Franco’s deep voice announcing, “Let’s welcome Mr. and Mrs. Matteo Giardano to this party!”
Reluctantly, he parted lips with her. “I guess we can’t hide in here any longer.”
“The sooner we start the party, the sooner we start our wedding night.”
“You going to tell me where we’re going yet?”
She shook her head and answered, “Nope.”
“Well, as long as you’re there, I don’t care where it is. Okay, let’s do this.”
They strolled into the tent to more hooting and hollering of their thirty or so guests. An intimate group, but all the important people in their lives were here, which was all that mattered.
Long tables and chairs had been set up under the tent to accommodate everyone. Each table had a blue mason jar filled with a sunflower and daisies. When Nana saw the jars, she told Dakota that the blue ones probably were more valuable because her generation threw out most of them. They’d never held a canning seal well.
Dakota smiled at that picture in her mind. Having Nana here had made this occasion so much more special. Cynthia too. She’d helped coordinate things because, apparently, she was quite the project manager.
The favors had been made to Mama’s specifications—five Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle circles. When Dakota asked her why five, she explained that it’s an indivisible number to symbolize the unity of husband and wife. Dakota loved the Italian traditions she was learning about, including the one that said a plate of Mama and Angelina’s delicious cookies should be at each table.
Jason and his date came around to the guests, serving the prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe Carmella had made. Pippa, Angelina’s sous-chef, served an assortment of appetizers from the café. Rico’s catering mostly consisted of making sure the steaks from Nana’s ranch were prepared just the way Dakota had instructed and that the champagne flowed all night. His staff circulated the room with flutes of the bubbly now.
“Everyone take your seats,” Franco announced after several toasts had been offered wishing happiness and long life to the bride and groom. “Rico’s and Angelina’s staff will start serving supper soon.”
