I shook my head and chuckled to myself.
The ceremony started soon after. We sat down, Lilly’s basket full of ribbon and tulle sat beside her on the grass as the bride and groom exchanged vows under the archway. I wasn’t sentimental, but seeing Jaqie and her new husband grinning at each other like the rest of the world had disappeared—it hit something deep. Maybe because I’d caught myself imagining something similar once or twice lately, and that realization made me shiver.
When the applause broke out, Lilly clapped softly, her eyes shining. “That was perfect,” she whispered.
“Yeah,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I was agreeing about the ceremony or how she looked when the wind caught her hair.
As the crowd began to shift toward the reception area, Millie waved me over. I spent the next few minutes repositioning chairs, adjusting signs, and ensuring the sound system wouldn’t short out. When I circled back, Lilly was chatting with Bruce Thompson near the drink table.
I grabbed a beer and joined them. Bruce was beaming like a man half his age, one arm around a petite blonde with laughing blue eyes.
“Sawyer, Lilly,” Bruce said proudly, “this is Misty—my fiancée.”
“Fiancée?” I repeated. “That was fast.”
He grinned. “When you know, you know. Misty’s from over in Boseman. Met her through my cousin.”
Misty shook Lilly’s hand warmly. “It’s so nice to meet you! Bruce says your shop did the flowers for today, and they’re absolutely gorgeous.”
Lilly smiled. “Thank you. It was such a lovely color scheme to work with.”
Misty leaned closer conspiratorially. “We’re hoping to find a rustic venue for our wedding—something intimate, with mountain views. You wouldn’t happen to know anyone renting out a barn or cabin, would you?”
Lilly hesitated. “No, not that I can think of.”
I could feel the grin tugging at my lips before I even realized what I was about to say. “Actually,” I said, stepping in, “I might know a place. But I’d have to check with the owner first.”
Bruce perked up. “That so? What kind of place?”
I glanced sideways at Lilly, who was already frowning suspiciously. “Little cabin by the lake,” I said casually. “Plenty of open space, beautiful views, and the prettiest flower garden in the county.”
Lilly shot me a look that said I was treading on thin ice. “And who exactly owns this mysterious cabin?”
I took a sip of my beer, savoring the moment. “You do, darlin’.”
Her eyes widened, but before she could protest, Bruce chuckled. “Now that’s the kind of confidence I like to see. You two let us know what you decide—we’d love to take a look.”
As they walked off, Lilly turned to me, hands on her hips. “My cabin?”
I shrugged. “You’ve got the space. And it’d make a beautiful wedding spot. Think of it—extra income, good publicity forBloom & Vine. Win-win.”
She tried to look annoyed, but her mouth betrayed her with the hint of a smile. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you.”
Her expression softened, and she looked toward the dance floor where the first song was starting to play. “You’re impossible, Sawyer James.”
“Yeah,” I said, slipping an arm around her waist. “But admit it—you like me that way.”
She didn’t argue. Just leaned into me a little, the faintest smile playing on her lips as the music drifted around us. Standing there with her in the evening light, I realized I didn’t miss the old life one damned bit.
Whatever came next, I wanted it right here—with her.
As the song shifted to something slow, I rested my hand on her back and felt her breath’s gentle rise and fall. Beneath my palm, her warmth carried a new kind of heartbeat that made a man think past tomorrow.
Next week we’d have our first ultrasound. The thought hit me with the same jolt of awe it always did. I’d seen a lot in my life—more than most men ever should—but nothing had me this curious, this… eager. I wanted to see that little flicker, hear the proof of what we’d made together.
I wanted to watch Lilly’s face when she saw it.
