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“Shel, if I’m your dream, then you’re my reason for living. You gave me something to care about the day I talked you into stuffing your face with Thelma’s chocolate chip cookies. Years later, you gave me a damn good reason to care about cookies again—plus everything else that matters, but especially you.” He pauses, exhaling so slowly it hurts, and pins my gaze in place. “You taught me to look up when all I could see was night. So, if you’ll have me—if you’ll do me the highest honor—be my stars, Shel. Be my moon. Be the air I breathe. Be my sunrise and the strumming beat in my pulse. Above all else, be mine.”
Holy hell.
If I weren’t decked out in this gorgeous old dress, I’d be leaping into his arms and kissing him until he topples over.
It’s only because he nods with a secret smile as a rush of whispers come through the crowd that I’m able to turn away from him.
My tears blur into manic laughter when I see the ring exchange isn’t exactly what we planned.
Apparently, he’s full of surprises today.
Wearing a silky bow tie that flutters like a ribbon, Hercules prances up the aisle like the prized hero-hog that he is with a tall, smiling Grady McKnight holding his leash.
When they both reach us, Herc lets out an impatient snort.
Get on with it, guys, I imagine him saying, and it just makes me laugh that much harder.
I hear Grady lean over to Weston and whisper, “Aunt Faye said he wouldn’t, but I didn’t trust that hog to not eat your wedding bands. So here.”
As the laughter and murmurs die down, Hercules plops down near the altar with a grunt and Weston takes my hand. I’m brought back to the heady magic as he slides the wedding band on my finger, a simple vintage beauty that compliments my engagement ring nicely.
My turn.
I take an antique wedding ring of my own I’ve picked out and push it down his thick finger.
“Congratulations,” the preacher man says. “You may now—”
Oh, baby, we’re sealing this union before he’s done.
Our lips bristle with a passion that could send smoke signals through the room.
After we manage to break apart for air, we make our way down the aisle hand-in-hand with Herc trotting at our side.
I toss my bouquet into the crowd before climbing into the monster truck with help from West. The beast is tricked out today, plastered with JUST MARRIED decals, streamers, and a tremendous line of metal garbage cans behind us. They bounce on the road like our own private drummers as we drive away.
There’s actually a parade of monster trucks and other vehicles, honking horns and revving engines, all the way to the fairgrounds.
The reception awaits in the massive guest building there—including Hercules—who rides in a trailer behind Faye’s van. She’s super excited to be a short walk away from her baby bowling ball every day. She jumped at the chance to look after him while we’re busy with the honeymoon.
Although she hasn’t said it, I’m sure she’s planning on living at the B&B full-time, rather than any senior complex. Everyone’s happy about that.
The reception is a treasure with practically the whole town attending.
I thank everyone who worked so hard to put this together on such short notice, even as they insist that’s what family and friends do.
They’re not just being modest.
Dallas is the kindest place ever. I’m insanely lucky to be one half of its latest happy couple.
The dancing continues in full swing long after dinner when Weston takes over the mic, thanks everyone for coming, and tells them we’ll be home in a couple weeks.
While the crowd claps their hands off, I ask him, “A couple weeks? I thought we only had one week? What’s this?”
He looks at me, sly and sexy as ever.
“I told you the wedding was all yours, minus the pig surprise I knew you’d appreciate. The honeymoon’s all mine.” Kissing me, he takes my hand and adds, “It’s time to get it started.”
I’m so game for whatever he’s got in mind, cradling his hand with both of mine as we make our way to the door.
