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“Like right now?”
“Right freaking now. That is, if you’re still into me even though I look like I just staggered out of a bar brawl.”
His face softens and he touches my cheek. “You get more beautiful every time I look at you.”
I take his hand and kiss the palm. “I love you, Conner Wiseman. Marry me. Please.”
It dawns on him that I’m serious. He pulls me to my feet. Kisses me passionately. Then ushers me outside in a hurry.
Naturally, everyone in the backyard is startled when Conner starts shouting questions about wedding ceremonies. But as it turns out, Dani and Gage’s neighbor is a retired judge. The man is also a huge football fan so all it takes is one phone call that drops the name ‘Conner Wiseman’ and he’s on his way over.
Lita won’t allow me to marry anyone while wearing a pair of nylon gym shorts. With Tess and Dani’s help, she shoos me back indoors to perform a rapid makeover. I don’t own a single white dress. We have to settle for a simple cream-colored maxi sundress from Lita’s closet. The bandage covering the burn on my chest is visible and my arm still looks bad from the snake bites but I don’t mind. Conner won’t mind either. My hair is curled and adorned with purple flowers from the bouquets Conner left all over the house to celebrate my homecoming.
Lita is hell bent on applying makeup to my face. She won’t take no for an answer. She finishes with a dash of lip gloss and then steps back to make a critical assessment. “You are the perfect bride.”
I raise my eyes and stare at the face that looks just like mine. “Do you remember when you used to beg to do my makeup?”
She smiles. “And today you finally let me.”
By now the judge has arrived. Micah and Gage have also returned from their mission to find rings. Conner shows me the plain gold bands from a nearby department store and swears that tomorrow he’ll buy me whatever ring I want.
“Silly boy.” I stretch on my toes to kiss his lips. “I’m keeping this one.”
The judge waits under the basketball hoop. The people we love form a circle around us as we face one another and say our vows.
All it takes is a few short minutes.
Conner’s lips touch mine.
Now I’m married to the man of my dreams.
Epilogue
CONNER
Robert dribbles the ball around me and shoots. The basket makes a satisfyingswishsound and he raises his arms with a cheer.
I catch the ball on a bounce. “Third time this week you’ve won.”
He crosses his arms. “Somehow I think you’re letting that happen.”
“Untrue. I’m trying my best. Don’t make fun of me.”
“Yeah, right. Guess what? I was thinking about trying hockey.”
“Hockey, huh?” The kid’s determined to play every single sport. It’s awesome.
“Yeah. Haven says we can check out the new ice rink that just opened up and see about joining a local league. Will you come too?”
“Absolutely.”
The kid grins. It’s good to see him smile. Only two months have passed since his world was turned upside down in a very gruesome way. He’s living in a new place, going to a new school, and trying to deal with his grief. We’re not his parents but we’re all doing our best to give him the love and guidance that he needs.
Robert stretches. “I’m gonna go inside and grab a soda. You want any?”
“Nah. But thanks for asking.”
He trots toward the house. One of his big sisters has been watching from the shade of the patio and catches him in a hug. She fondly messes up his hair before letting him go.
