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She’d heard him use that tone before when dealing with clients and his business. But what did it mean here? For her? Them?
Her heart said it meant forever, her brain said keep dreaming.
She led the way to the edge of the makeshift dance floor set up in the middle of the backyard. “Everybody,” she called and Marshall settled a hand on hers where it wrapped around his arm. She cleared her throat one more time. “Everybody,” she tried again and the music lowered as everyone turned her way, “this is Marshall, my fiancé.”
A lot of surprised expressions stared back at her before handshakes and congratulations were passed around along with a few back slaps for Marshall, who took it all in stride.
Jon came up beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder as he shook Marshall’s hand. “I heard you guys were looking for a place to get married.”
“You’re here!” Juniper wrapped her cousin in a tight hug. “You’re a hard man to pin down.”
Gran and Callie joined them.
“Ma’am,” Marshall dipped his head in greeting and took her gran’s hands in his, “Marshall Blackwood, sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused the family or you. I surely didn’t mean to steal the spotlight. I know this isn’t exactly how anyone pictured Juniper’s wedding, much less her.”
“Not at all, cowboy. You’re welcome here, and my granddaughter knows what she is doing.” Gran winked at her as she threaded an arm through Marshall’s. “How about you show me your slow-dancing skills?”
Juniper couldn't believe only a couple of days ago they were hot and heavy on his desk, couch, window…you name it. But the dirty-talking cowboy was reserved for only her and their shared private times. Tonight he was the ever-attentive gentleman and she loved what she saw.
“Yes, ma’am.” Marshall tossed her a wink and a smile, leaving her alone with Callie and Jon.
“Are you sure about this?” Jon spoke up beside her. Gran and Mom and no doubt Callie had filled him in on everything by now.
“It’s too late if I’m not.”
“He sure knows how to put on a show if this isn’t the real deal.”
Callie always liked to cut into the thick of things with her no-nonsense ways. “What do you mean?”
She kicked back the last of her drink in one swig and flashed her a knowing smile. “That man is smitten and if you can’t see that you’ve got it just as bad as he does.”
Jon and Callie clanked their empty glasses in agreement. “This is about to get very interesting.”
“Oh, you two, shut up. And you,” she pointed to Callie, “stop egging Jon on. He’ll be impossible the entire time we decorate his place.”
“I beg to differ. Why does she get to call it as she sees it but I’m the meddlesome cousin if I do?”
“It’s a BFF thing,” Callie reassured him with a hip bump. As if that explained everything. Which it did, but by the perplexed expression on Jon’s face, he still didn’t get it.
“Just being serious for a second, guys, thank you for not judging.” She looked at each of her brothers and sisters. Not everyone always saw eye to eye, but when it came down to caring and backing each other up, she knew she could count on them.
“Never crossed my mind, cuz.”
She rose to her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Juniper appreciated the honesty she saw in his eyes.
“So who’s the maid of honor?” Jon asked. “There is such a thing as a man of honor. I’m just saying. I watched this TV show where a cop friend—”
“Me, silly,” Callie cut in with a huge eye roll. And here they went. If they didn’t put a stop to it the banter could go on for hours.
Before any of them could get carried away, Marshall swooped in and rescued her. “Mind if I steal you away?”
“Not at all.”
He led them to the dance floor and he twirled her around before pulling her tight against his chest.
“You have a wonderful family, Juniper. And a wonderful slice cut out of a large city that seems quaint.”
