Forbidden Disclosure(67)

"I can take all the time that I want to set a date for the wedding?"



"No!" Daniel said playfully. "Your input means everything, of course, but I want to be married in the spring.”



“It’s my favorite time of year. Remember the first time you held me? It was in the meadow on the farm. You ran around and picked me flowers. I still have them in a scrap book."



“Katherine, would you be willing to marry me in the meadow? You have no idea how many times I was drawn to that place because of you.”



“I would love that, Daniel. I only have one concern though. I know that you and your father know a lot of people, but I wouldn’t mind having a small, intimate ceremony.”



“Katherine, I look at you and wonder how did I get so lucky?” Daniel kissed her tenderly.



"You're okay with nothing fancy?"



"Katherine, the only guests we need are my father, Rosie, and your uncle."



Katherine took Daniel’s phone out of his pocket and opened the calendar. “How about April the fifteenth? That’s a Saturday, so maybe you won’t have to work.”



“Like I would put something in front of marrying you…”



Katherine sealed it with a kiss and even put a reminder on his phone. Daniel saw it and laughed.





Near the end of March, Francesco, Rosie, Daniel, and Katherine boarded the jet to fly to Prairie. Francesco was doing last minute confirmations with officials and finishing up the agenda. He and Andy were hosting the first public meeting to hear opinions, ideas, and concerns from the people in Prairie.



Rosie would be going to the farm for the first time since leaving. She didn’t know how she would handle it, but now she had a good reason to go back.



The first stop was the meadow. Katherine and Daniel walked around, each holding one of Rosie’s hands, until they found the perfect spot. They would be surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills, wildflowers, and clean air. Daniel had called the week prior and had the barn remnants removed. He didn’t want Rosie to see that.



Rosie stared at her house, but she had no desire to enter it. It felt foreign to her, tainted. The only time there was love under that roof was the first year of her marriage to Albert and for the entire duration that Daniel was with her. She let her eyes wander over to the land where the crops used to grow, and the worn path that her horses had walked. She tried to make herself feel numb, but the pain wouldn't completely escape her. It was another life, a wasted life. Rosie saw the house and land as her prison.



Daniel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around this little older woman. “You know, Rosie, we’re all family now. Don’t be sad at the memories here. They made you the strong woman that you are. Look upon this land as the beginning of your life. You taught me so much, and you gave me unconditional love, respect, and your trust. We had some fond memories here, Rosie. Both of our new lives started on this farm. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have pursued finding Katherine. If it wasn’t for me, you’d have never met my father. We were brought together for a reason. Our new beginnings happened here. So smile upon this day and hang onto the memories that started it all.”



“Thank you, Daniel. Your words just removed a truckload of pain. And you’re right. It’s time for new memories. I can’t run from my past, but I can enjoy the walk to my future with your father, you, and Katherine. Just imagine, I always wanted children, and now I have a son and a daughter. You mean the world to me, Daniel, you always will.”





Chapter 18





The ceremony was simple and intimate. Katherine had worn a beautiful white dress that Rosie made. It was layered in lace and flowed so elegantly in the soft breeze. She smiled at her new family as she was escorted through the field by her uncle. Daniel was unable to take his eyes off of his perfect bride. The flowers and their fresh scent surrounded them, the sun warmed their faces. When he was told he could kiss his bride, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled his beautiful wife toward him. The memories of their first kiss, in this same meadow, didn’t escape either one of them. There wasn’t a dry eye amongst them. It was the proudest day of Francesco’s life.





Katherine had always dreamed of going to Hawaii, so Daniel booked them in a beautiful suite that had their own terrace and a perfect view of the ocean.



“Sweetheart,” began Daniel as they walked along the beach at sunset, “I feel like I should thank you every single day of my life.”



“Daniel, I should do the same. I’m so in love with you.”