As the officiant continued his introduction, Casey locked eyes with Nate. She couldn’t have wiped the grin off her face if she’d tried, nor could he, as a warm breeze rustled the canopy. She had never expected to be at her brother’s wedding having fallen in love herself. But it had happened, hook, line and sinker, and here she was, deep in the throes.

Soon it was time for the vows.

“Michelle and Jack are here to marry each other and begin this next path in their lifelong journey,” the officiant said, his deep voice carrying across the coconut-scented tropical air. “Their words, their intentions, their vision, and that love and faith in each other will define and shape their marriage and all their days together. There will be times of conflict and times of joy, and amidst all those times I ask them to remember always that love is a gift, that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and that together they can face any hurdles with a love this strong. I call on them now to give their promise to each other before their friends and family. These are the pledges that will bind them together.”

The gray-haired man looked from Michelle to Jack and back. “Please join hands and look into each other’s eyes.”

Michelle handed Sutton her bouquet of pink roses, then focused on Jack as he clasped hands with her.

“Jack, with this understanding, do you take Michelle to be your wedded wife and to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and to be faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live?”

Jack nodded. “I do,” he said, his voice full of confidence and hope.

“Michelle, with this understanding, do you take Jack to be your wedded husband, and to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and to be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live?”

Michelle beamed as she answered, “I do.”

The officiant turned to Nate. “May I have the rings, please.”

Nate dipped his hand in his pocket, and presented two platinum bands.

“These rings are a symbol of your unending love and a sign of your commitment to each other. A ring is unbroken. May your marriage always be unbroken, too. Now, as you place these rings on each other, you may share your vows,” the officiant said, gesturing to the couple.

Jack slid the ring on Michelle’s finger, his eyes on her the whole time as he spoke. “This ring is a gift for you and symbolizes my desire and my love for you that grows every day, and will continue to for as long as we both shall live.”

Michelle took his hand, placed the ring on him, and repeated the same vow. Then the officiant delivered the words that sealed off the ceremony: “You may kiss the bride.”