The Corporal and the Choir Girl

Soon …

The night after the soldiers had made their visit had been a whirlwind of preparation for both his mission as well as his wedding. The women of the Purple Heart Ranch had whisked his fiancée away, and he hadn’t seen her again until dinner. They’d whisked her away again for the night for an impromptu bachelorette party.

The next day, he’d had some time with Reegan in the gardens. But as the following day would be their wedding day, tradition dictated that they spend the night apart.

Brandon found he slept each night peacefully even knowing the dangerous mission he was about to undertake. His mind was rested, and his soul was at peace. Be it because he had a chance to save Reece or because he had given his heart over to Reegan, he wasn’t sure? Likely a bit of both.

So, it was easy to roll out of bed each morning and greet the day with less weight on his shoulders. He pulled on his uniform and stared at his reflection. For so many years his self-worth had been wrapped up only in how he could serve his country, the livelihood of his unit, and his personal performance. It had never occurred to him to serve one person above others, to stick to one community, to evaluate himself on his relationship to others. But that would be his life moving forward.

“Ready?”

Brandon looked up to Chase and Ortega standing in the door to his home. Like him, the men were decked out in their uniforms.

“Man,” said Ortega. “Who would have thought that when we came here for a little R&R it would lead to a wedding. In just a week.”

“Dylan warned us,” said Brandon. “You two should be on the lookout.”

Ortega snorted. “Yeah, no. I’m pretty sure we’re good.”

The two single men raised their fists and tapped their knuckles. Brandon got the sense that those were famous last words.

The three men walked out of the front door and down to the pavilion near the small body of water in the center of the ranch. A white gazebo trimmed with vines and flowers was the focal point. The rows of white chairs spread out before the gazebo were filled with a few rows of standing individuals.

It appeared the entire community had gathered for the wedding. Brandon recognized the soldiers from the ranch and their wives seated in the front. He also saw some familiar faces from the church choir.

“Thank you for your service,” a kid said. The words were said with a lisp as the little boy was missing two front teeth.

Brandon reached down and gave the kid’s head a pat. He heard the sentiment a few more times as he made his way to the gazebo where his nuptials would take place. Instead of getting annoyed at the sentiment, his heart swelled at the gratitude displayed.

He had served his country well. He was proud of that service. Now he would serve this community. Starting with taking care of their favorite daughter.

Music started to play from a speaker, and he saw her. Brandon’s heart stopped for a few beats as she walked toward him. She was a vision in white, but more importantly, she was his.

Reegan walked on the arm of Pastor Barrett. The man glared at Brandon as he came closer. Brandon stood with his back even straighter. He met the man’s glare with wide eyes and an open heart. If the pastor didn’t see that he would do everything in his power to cherish the woman coming toward him, then Brandon would spend the rest of his life showing it to the man of the cloth. He’d spend his life showing it to everyone in this town that he was the best man for Reegan.

At the end of the aisle, Pastor Barrett turned to Reegan. She beamed up at the man who was a second father. His stern expression broke. It softened into love and adoration. A small smile remained in place when he turned to Brandon and presented him with his bride.

Brandon nodded his thanks. He stuck out his hand. Pastor Barrett’s grip was strong. It also felt sure.

Turning his attention to Reegan, Brandon felt a little unsteady on his feet. She looked up at him with such trust, such certainty, such love. How had he come to deserve her?

A light wind brought the scent of honeyed flowers from the gardens. Mixed with that was the hint of hay from the barns. He hadn’t believed in anything magical before setting foot on this ranch. Now he was a believer that there was something special about this place.

Love was in the rich soil underfoot. It blossomed for those who came here. Chase and Ortega didn’t stand a chance if they planned to stay here for any length of time.

Brandon tucked Reegan’s hand in the crook of his elbow and turned them to face Dr. Patel. The delight in the doctor’s features eclipsed that of any other attendee. The knowing glint in his eyes made Brandon wonder if the man had foreseen this scene playing out.

After all, it had been Patel who’d sent him to the gardens instead of horseback riding. The man hadn’t even blinked when, just days later, Brandon had proposed marriage to the woman who’d been tending the soil on that same day.

“Before we begin,” said Dr. Patel, “Corporal Lucas has prepared some words.”

Brandon cleared his throat. Turning to face Reegan, he took both her hands in his. Once again, her beauty and trust shook something inside until his knees quivered, but he did not hesitate, he did not falter.

“There’s so much we don’t know about each other, but I’m excited for the rest of my life. What I do know is that you’re loyal and fierce. You feel deeply. So deeply that you’ve reached inside and forged a connection. I feel it. It’s beyond my heart. It’s in my soul. Though we’re about to be parted for some time, I understand that you are a part of me, and I’m a part of you.”

It took a few moments for the gathered crowd to settle. Sobs and moans went up. Tissues were passed around. And all the while, Brandon gazed into Reegan’s eyes seeing the same certainty that he felt in his blood.

He meant every word, and he would prove it with actions. After years of fighting, peace settled over Brandon. Once the official vows were said by the two of them, he bent down and sealed his promise with a kiss. He embraced this new duty where he was ready, willing, and able to serve for his lifetime.