Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
She glanced at the crowd and saw her Aunt Huni blinking quite a bit, her face flushed. Sarah sat with several of her close friends and some other members of the Wilde family, including Kage’s aunts, uncles, and cousins, crying her eyes out.
“That was beautiful, Poet. Kage, would you like to begin?”
Kage nodded, then turned towards his cousin Phoenix. Phoenix bent down and opened a wooden box. He removed a bird’s glove. Kage took it from him, slipped it on, and began to whistle.
“Everyone, please don’t make any loud noises,” the pastor advised. “Just watch.”
People looked around, some seeming rather bewildered, and then, in the sky soared a falcon that flew straight towards Kage, landing on his arm. Guests murmured praises in astonishment.
“This here is a falcon. His name is Rook,” Kage explained. “I consider him sort of my pet, but he is free to come and go as he pleases. I don’t keep him locked away, or in some cage. He can be wild. He has no owner, only a friend in me.” Kage reached into his tuxedo jacket pocket, pulled out a treat, and brought it close to Rook’s beak. People laughed as Rook dramatically chumped it down as if it were the most delicious morsel he’d ever had. “Rook, in some ways, represents what I wanted to be, and some of what I am. Loyal. Cautious. Protective. He’s a beautiful bird, and without a word exchanged, me and this guy have had long conversations. He rests and hunts on my land, near my house, but never stays for long durations. He doesn’t keep himself guarded or locked in. He’s careful, without cuttin’ off the entire world. Rook doesn’t like bein’ around a lot of people, but since he trusts me, he came anyway, even after seein’ all of y’all here. That’s how I feel about this woman I’m marrying today… my beautiful possum. She brought me out of my shell, unclipped my wings, and encouraged me to soar.” Kage lifted his arm higher, and Rook flew away, ushering applause and more awe as people watched the beautiful bird disappear into the clouds.
Music began to play. All of a sudden, Phoenix came forward and addressed the crowd.
“I’m gonna sing one of my cousin’s favorite songs. Kage is a true country music fan, and he asked me to sing this song to his beautiful bride today. Says it fits how he feels about this lady to the ‘T’.” A few men approached wearing big cowboy hats, their guitars in tow, and another sitting at a small drum kit, sticks in hand. The gentlemen got in position.
Phoenix started singing Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey,’ hitting those notes like no other. The crowd swooned, and so did Poet. The man could sing his behind clean off!
“He sounds just like him!” she whispered to Kage excitedly. Kage smiled down at her, looking quite pleased with himself. “I like this surprise!” She giggled and grabbed his arm. She shuddered when he reached between them, real slow and easy, and gave her stomach a loving rub. When the song ended, there didn’t appear to be many dry eyes in the place. Once everything was quiet again, Kage took her hands in his.
“Possum, I’m not great with romantic words, or things that sound pretty. Big, frilly words. You know my heart though.” He took a deep, audible breath, then continued. “One day I walked onto my land, sure that I was going to find an intruder. I found my possum instead. My sweet Poet. God placed her right in my hands. The land is so big out here, it ain’t uncommon for folks to not know where it ends or begins. She was innocently here just tryna do a nature walk and see some bobcats for work. I didn’t expect to see someone like her here though. but I found you…” He stared into her eyes.
“As soon as I looked into those big, pretty brown eyes of yours, with your long lashes, those pretty lips, and all of that shiny, black curly hair showing from beneath your hood, I knew that I wanted to find out all about you. What began as just normal physical attraction turned into something dynamic. Somethin’ powerful. You made me look at myself in the river, and you reminded me that I’m beautiful on the inside, too.” Kage closed his eyes for a minute, and she reached towards him, and stroked his hand.
“…I’m okay,” he whispered, offering a half smile. “…And uh, you reminded me of who I really am, and what I deserve. That I don’t have to be mean and ornery to protect myself from pain and hurt. I gotta be open if I want to let good stuff in. You were so bubbly, funny, and full of life, it was contagious. What started off as bobcat sightings, and greenhouses being built, ended with river prayers, and tales of wolves…” He winked at her, and she caught his drift. “Every date, every phone call, every text message, I found out a little bit more about you, and fell in love a little more, too. Possum, you’re a free spirit, like the falcon.