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“Weddings get to me,” Landon said unapologetically.
“He cried,” Sunnie said.
“I told you, Sunshine, I got something in my eye,” Landon insisted.
“Just as Caitlyn was walking down the aisle?” she persisted.
“I got something in my eye at that point too,” Pop Pop admitted.
“You really asked for their blessing?” Sunnie asked. “Isn’t that kind of old-fashioned?”
“Don’t give him a hard time for that, lass,” Pop Pop chastised. “That was for your father and me. A very respectful thing to do.”
She felt warm inside when Pop Pop looked at Landon with genuine fondness. Her grandfather’s blessing meant the world to her. And given Landon’s smile, it was clear he felt the same way.
“So, should I clear my schedule for a Christmas wedding?” Pop Pop joked.
“Only if I can’t convince her to marry me over Thanksgiving,” Landon said, the two men laughing as Sunnie rolled her eyes.
“That’s not a long engagement,” she said.
Landon wrapped his arm around her, kissing her on the cheek. “Thanksgiving is a lifetime away.”
“It was the same way with your father, lass. The second Riley let him know she was ready to settle down in marriage, he dragged her off to the Elvis Chapel and made it official.”
“Mom tells it a little differently. Says she was drunk and doesn’t remember the wedding at all.”
“Perhaps not the first one,” Pop Pop said with a chuckle. “But it only took him a few days to convince her to repeat those vows again…sober.”
Landon shook his head, even though he’d heard the story countless times before. “Only in your family, Sunnie.”
“Your family now too, Landon,” Pop Pop reminded him. “Looks like you managed to get your wish. Let me show you both something.”
Pop Pop had a wall of photographs, each frame holding a picture of one of his children or grandchildren. Every member of the family was represented. He pointed to Sunnie’s spot…and she laughed when she saw her new photo.
“How on earth?” she asked.
“Your friend Miguel helped me with that,” Pop Pop confessed. “Said he could take a picture from the video—I had no idea that was possible! Then he did some sort of trick with his computer where he brightened it up. Looks good, doesn’t it?”
Pop Pop had gotten Miguel to freeze-frame that perfect moment, right after their viral kiss, when Landon looked at her as if she hung the moon.
“Sunnie,” Landon said, studying it closely. “Your face.”
No one had ever mentioned the way she was looking at him before now. It was always his expression that was remarked on.
“That’s why I asked for the photo, son,” Pop Pop said. “See how she’s looking at you?”
Sunnie crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed with her fiancé. “So what you’re saying is…even though you watched that video a thousand times, you were only looking at yourself? Typical,” she teased.
Landon wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing her on the cheek. “Couldn’t help it. My ass looks damn fine in that video.”
Pop Pop chuckled. “In those romantic movies, they always have to wait until the end for their happily ever after. It seems to me the two of you found it right at the beginning.”
Sunnie kissed her grandfather on the cheek. “You’re as mushy-gushy as Landon.”
“You kept your promise to me, lass. Found the man who loves you for the sunshine and happiness you bring. And, Landon,” Pop Pop said, “Sunnie found a way to give you your wish as well. You’re officially a Collins now. It’s the perfect ending.”
* * *
