Wedding Blues

‘s secret daughter with the queen.

Chestnut Ridge
Kershaw Ranch

Briar Rose nearly snapped the key off in the rental car’s ignition, her anticipation boiling over. She couldn’t wait another minute to feel Jackson—to hold him, smell him, touch him.

She dashed past Millie, the ranch dog who knew her well, and cleared the paddock gate. Jackson was her destination, the young man she loved and had missed until it became unbearable. This wasn’t a semester break or a long weekend; it was an urgent need that drove her to catch the first flight out.

Finally reaching Jackson, she slammed into his back, hugging him with all her might. He let out a startled, breathless huff, carefully detaching her from himself.

“I love you so much! I missed you!” Bri blurted out, her heart racing.

But then she heard a voice—a voice that wasn’t Jackson’s. Her gasp turned into embarrassment as she realized her mistake.

“Jack! I thought you were… oh, God! I am SO sorry!”

Jack’s surprised face melted into laughter, and Bri followed his gaze. There stood an amused-looking Jackson, next to Izzy cradling infant Cody nearby.

“As much as I appreciate the enthusiasm, Bri, the one you probably meant is over yonder. Don’t go getting me in trouble with my girl now, starting some naughty rumors like all that,” Jack teased.

Jackson joined them, pulling Bri into a tight embrace. “Can I get some of that too, or is it reserved for my dad?” he snickered, showering her with kisses.

Embarrassment still flushed her cheeks as she greeted Izzy. “Hello, Bri. Good to see you. We’ll catch up after you’ve had time to love on the right Kershaw. Just in case, I am taking both of mine inside with me to get coffee and lunch started, assuming you’ll be joining us.” Izzy told her chuckling, as Jack planted quick pecks on her and their young son’s cheeks, leading them to the cabin, to give the young lovers some space.

Bri turned to Jackson, his bright blue eyes making her heart leap. “I couldn’t stay away any longer. What happened to you?” Bri exclaimed, noticing the injuries on his face. New ones. Again.

“Same as last time—you know, gravity testing from an angry bronc’s back. But I won big prize money for us. What ’bout school?”

“Agh school. With all due respect: screw school. I need to be here, with you. And evidently your dad, Izzy, and Cody. How did they end up here? You didn’t mention a visit last time we spoke.”

“You didn’t mention YOUR visit last time we spoke either. Agh, long story,” Jackson began, his voice tinged with both excitement and exhaustion. “Mah dad helped Princess Victoria out of a pickle, and her parents wanted to do mah dad a solid. So, they told them they could visit me and Connor for a week—all expenses paid—the royal palace is havin’ someone look after their farm and horses. That’s how they ended up here, stayin’ with me for a few days, then Connor, Keira, and Chris for some more days since they are closer to an airport.”

Dinner unfolded as a joyous family affair, laughter echoing through the cozy space. Once everyone retired for the night, Bri found herself cocooned in Jackson’s arms, sleeping better than she had in ages. But the early start on his ranch was a harsh reality. Nobody told Bri to pitch in, but since Jack and Izzy just did without being asked, so did she. Bri hadn’t travelled here to watch Jackson from the front porch but to be near him and that meant working alongside him.

Yet, there was more to contend with. Jack, Izzy, Jackson and little Cody had been invited to a wedding, and now Bri was roped into attending too. She hadn’t packed anything remotely formal, while he would undoubtedly hear about it from Jack and Izzy, Bri’s parents and brother didn’t know yet that she was skipping classes to be with Jackson, so rather than borrow something from her sister-in-law, instead she embarked on a day trip to Del Sol Valley, distance from Chestnut Ridge was about the same. Jasper’s parents Colton and Maddie lived in Del Sol Valley, both lifelong best friends of Bri’s parents, both had been instrumental in raising her and her twin sister as well and therefore were kind of bonus parents.

Maddie had always loved fashion and makeup, ever since the move here from Brindleton Bay she had worked up the ranks to be the editor of a prestigious international fashion magazine, and more than eagerly assisted Bri in finding the perfect outfit. They navigated the delicate balance between personal style and the rustic charm of a backwoods affair in a quaint old chapel.

“Goodness, Bri,” Maddie said, her eyes assessing. “Does it HAVE TO be Jackson? I get it—he’s a vision, especially with fewer clothes on—he’s charming and kind, but his lifestyle just clashes with yours. You’re AG, and Jackson is his dad in this reheated version of their story. They tried that before, the wealthy socialite and the cowboy, and they failed so gloriously it was heart wrenching even to those who barely know them. Do we really need a re-run of that starring you and Jack’s kid? Maybe you should sit down with AG for a solid girl talk about the realities of it all? I worry about you, baby girl.”

Bri’s resolve remained unshaken. “Maddie, I know, but I don’t care. Jackson and I are NOT AG and Jack. I admit there are many parallels, but I love him too much to just give up. That’s enough. I survived a whole semester at his ranch. It’s not my preferred lifestyle, but I can manage. And even enjoy it.”

Maddie raised an eyebrow. “I veto it. The whole thing. I know your parents mean well, but let me tell you what I told them: You need a different kind of guy. Jackson can be a good friend, a weekend fling—ride his horses during the day and him during the nights—but…”

“MADDIE! Seriously?! You’re like a bonus mom. So: eeew. I don’t want to hear anything about riding…boys. Not from you. Actually, not from anyone, but especially not from parents, biological or otherwise.”

“Well, you’re not a kid anymore. Colton and I raised Keira and Jasper on truth, not fairytales. Both turned out fine, wouldn’t you say? I’m doing the same with you. The truth can be ugly, but if you hide from it, the hurt in the end just gets bigger. I love you, Iris, and Connor as if you were my own. I don’t want you hurting. You’re still at the beginning with Jackson; accepting the truth and taking the right actions now will hurt, but not as much as it will later on. Baby, there’s no real future for you two, and you know it. I can see that you know it, just like all of us do.”

“Maddie, I value your input and your opinion, but you’re not telling me anything new. I can’t walk away. Can’t, and don’t want to. Mom and Dad have realized that, so they’re trying to help as best they can. I need you and Colton to do the same.”

Maddie’s face reflected her doubts and worries, but instead of arguing, she pulled the 20-year-old into a tight embrace, planting a tender kiss on the top of her head. Then, with newfound resolve, she ended the hug, cleared her throat, and decided,

“Now, let’s explore the Ralph Lauren section. His Lauren line might have something perfect for a country backwoods wedding. And no white this time, like that fiasco with Brad and Molly. What was Hailey thinking, letting you attend a wedding in a white dress if you’re not the bride?! I get that Chase wouldn’t know any better; your mother always had to dress him if it mattered. But that was a faux pas I just can’t get over! White to a wedding. Seriously?! Cringe!”

Brad’s name tugged at Bri’s heart. The boy she once loved, perhaps still did in some morphed way—the boy who once loved her, and definitely still did. Now he was a married man and a father. The thought still felt surreal, even though she’d met the baby. A baby without a proper name, as father and son couldn’t agree, surprise, surprise, and on top of all, Molly’s family vetoed any Cunningham ancestry reruns for their first grandbaby/nephew. Tyler, Molly’s older brother, had caused a foot-in-mouth moment, exclaiming, “Thank God he takes after our family!”. And Bri’s parents Chase and Hailey watched all that mess and couldn’t keep from telling Bri how glad they were she dodged that bullet and didn’t end up the bride and the baby’s mom in that scenario. Bri would have to agree.

As funny as it sounded, Bri couldn’t discern much from the baby’s appearance. Bald and pink, with a hint of light blond fuzz, eyes mostly closed. Both sides of the family were some version of blonde and blue-eyed. Curly hair, perhaps? She imagined Cunningham Junior as a mini Brad someday. Maybe his son would grow up and find his own Briar Rose, and they would get the chance she and his dad never got, but would probably mourn for the rest of their lives. At least Brad wouldn’t turn into a douche like his father.

And then the day of the wedding arrived.
Another ex, another wedding, last time it was Briar Rose’s ex Brad, this time Jackson’s ex Taylor McCoy. Taylor and Briar Rose had never gotten along, so attending her wedding was uncomfortable for Bri and Jackson knew it. Much to her relief were Jasper and his girlfriend, Briar Rose’s twin sister and closest ally by birth Iris Marie, there too. The bride was Jasper’s estranged cousin, so his family had been invited out of courtesy, the McCoys didn’t expect the Hargraves to show, Jasper’s parents Colton and Maddie, as well as his older sister Keira, couldn’t be persuaded to attend, neither would Jasper and Iris have, but knowing Briar Rose and Jackson’s ex and bride-to-be Taylor were nemesis, they came to support Bri.

Standing by the fence of Jackson’s ranch, already dressed in his suit waiting for the girls to finish up, Jasper watched Jackson’s horses grazing peacefully, flinched when Jackson’s hand slapped his shoulder hard, making him stumble a little.

“Wanna take one for a spin?” Jackson drawled, his Southern accent thick as molasses, as he snickered at Jasper.

“Yeah, no, hard pass. Hey, since I got you alone without Bri perma-attached to your hip, how’s things going with you two? She vanished one morning before dawn, leaving us wondering if she’d been abducted by aliens until we found her note. That girl, man, if you ever wonder how serious she is about you, lemme tell ya, she was miserable without you, only you on the brain 24/7, no room for learning things. I have lived with these girls long enough to know, they are a handful, especially in the mornings, though Bri really is the sweet one, Iris sometimes tho, ooof! If you ever run into the morning grinch version of Bri, just pour coffee on it and run, don’t approach until it had time to percolate with her. And if you need any other advice about Bri or women in general, you come to me. I am well known as the woman whisperer. A special God-given talent, my man.” Jasper told Jackson, patting his shoulder back a bit harder yet than Jackson had done with him, but the young rancher didn’t even budge, just snickered at Jasper, wiping across his smiling lips with the back of his hand.

“Gotcha. Things are good. She stayed with me many times before, even for several months, so I know what to expect. She really is a sweet gal, I got no complaints, except the obvious problems we always had, mostly geographical and financial, at least on my end, but we’re working through that. She ain’t the only one who’s a miserable mess whenever we’re apart and that’s all I am gonna say ’bout that. How’s things with ya and Iris? She seems to be harder to handle than my girl, but you look like you like it that way.”

“Not gonna lie, it can be challenging, but it’s worth it. She’s worth it and then some. Both sisters have a heart of gold and are loyal AF. Speaking of worth it and since we’re all about to go to another wedding, are you planning to put a ring on it one day?”

“Me? Ya mean, marrying Bri? Oh, I dunno, to be honest, never even really crossed my mind. She don’t look like the type, and I reckon we both ain’t the type just yet. Maybe as time passes we feel a hankerin’ to make this truly official, but right now we both got bigger fish to fry. Bein’ apart is hard as a couple, it would be downright stupid if we were married. You?”

“Well, I have already been put on notice back when we had just turned 18, in a rental cabin in Mount Komorebi, that she and I will be married one day, so there is that. Hard to argue with an Iris Marie once she made up her mind. But much like you, I am in no real rush and neither is she. We both want to finish college, I am gonna have a tough climb getting myself onto the red carpet as the next big thing and Iris wants to be a lawyer and that takes time to get established, so this would be some long-time goal for us, maybe. I mean, if all preventive measures were to fail, which is in the realm of possibility as there are days where she and I are both very hungry for each other, if ya know what I mean,” Jasper nudged and winked at Jackson, “then it would become more of a current topic, depending on how we both feel about all that. One thing I can say for sure, it would be nothing like good old Braddy-pooh and Molly, our parents are just nothing like that. I feel for Brad and Molly and for that baby, and I wouldn’t want to be in either of their shoes. Married with a kid at 20? Oh, hell to the no! And I already feel sorry for that boy having to grow up with the old Cunningham as grandpa.”

“That we can agree on.” Jackson huffed.

Once the group arrived at the wedding location, which generated surprised stares and traded glances between Jasper, Iris Marie and Bri, as it was nothing like what they had been to before. A small, obviously very old wooden chapel, with a small wedding barn next to it. As basic as it sounded, none of them could deny a certain charm and it was decorated beautifully.
As more and more guests gathered, Taylor McCoy arrived, looking gorgeous as always, her eyes locking onto Briar Rose. The tension between them was palpable—a silent battle of wills. Taylor’s smile was strained, and Bri’s jaw tightened. They exchanged curt nods, each aware of the history that bound them: the current and the ex-lover of the same man, yet forever rivals for his attention.

The ceremony unfolded smoothly; the groom surprisingly handsome. Judging by her brief interaction with him, Bri found him very nice—a sentiment Jackson confirmed, given that he knew the man. As she sat there, holding Jackson’s hand, watching yet another young woman shed her last name and single life to become a wife, melancholy settled over Bri. Her near-death experience due to ruptured cysts on her ovaries at age 16 had left her with a dim outlook on motherhood. Initially devastated, she had resolved to make something of her life without the traditional trappings of husband and children. But as those around her settled down, Bri began to question her stance. Perhaps the liberty she had once celebrated as freedom from outdated traditions wasn’t so appealing after all. Her older brother had been married for a while and they were so happy and always had each other’s backs, just like their parents. Would Bri ever have someone who would always have her back too? Someone to snuggle up to each night, every night, not just whenever she could sneak away from her real life to come here? Would she never firsthand experience her mom helping her get ready for the big day, have her daddy walk her down the aisle to give her away? Never? Sure, she was only 20, but it seemed like only yesterday she had been 16. Suddenly she’d be 24. 28. 30. Then what?

A romantic, lush dream wedding felt out of reach. If Jackson ever expressed interest in marriage (though they had never explicitly discussed it), it would likely happen here, in Chestnut Ridge, perhaps even in this very chapel. But what purpose would a wedding serve? It would tie her to this place permanently—a commitment Bri wasn’t quite ready for. And if she fell for another man, the odds of him accepting her probable inability to have children were slim. Not impossible, of course; not everyone desired children. Yet, if it weren’t Jackson, she’d seek someone who understood her social circles, someone who didn’t covet her parents’ wealth. Unfortunately, such men often resembled Brad, fixated on heirs to continue their legacies—a classic catch-22.

The next morning, Jack, Izzy, and Cody departed to stay with Bri’s brother Connor. Iris and Jasper lingered another day, allowing Bri more time with Jackson. But eventually, she joined them on the journey to university.