Epilogue
MAVERICK
“You said he’s the sheriff in Newhope?” Aiden Stone stands near the back wall in Lagniappe, which Gina’s and Dove’s dads have rented out for the night for our bachelor party.
His arms are crossed over his chest, and his brother Alex stands beside him. Alex is holding his thumb and forefinger against his cheeks, doing his best not to laugh, but their youngest brother Adam puts his fingers in his mouth and rips a loud taxi-whistle.
The sound system blasts the classic funk song “Superfreak” by Rick James, and Owen is seated in one of the restaurant’s wooden dining chairs in the middle of the room.
His hands are tied behind his back with a satin bow, and we’re all cat-calling and laughing our asses off as a six-foot-four “blonde” in gold hot pants and a tube top twerks his oversized butt in my future cousin-in-law’s face.
Another “blonde” prances around behind him scrubbing a feather boa back and forth over Owen’s eyes before twirling away and stomping around the room in gold platform heels blowing kisses to us all.
“Yep,” my dad says, nodding slowly, his tone fake-chagrin. “He did the same thing to me the night before I married his little sister.”
“You didn’t seem too concerned when it was my turn just now,” I yell over the music, pushing his arm. “I heard you tell him to give me a lap dance.”
“It was only fair,” Dad says, gripping my shoulder. “He gave me a lap dance when I married your mother. Damn near broke my legs.”
My other “uncle” Craig prances forward holding two balloons in front of his chest and proceeds to slap Owen’s face with them.
“Motorboat!” Knox yells from beside me, and I double over with laughter. “Show those titties whatcha got!”
“Why didn’t I get the balloons?” I ask, looking up at my cousin.
“Oh, you know why.” Knox waggles his eyebrows at me, and I’m pissed all at once.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I’m ready to grab him by the collar when Dad catches my shoulder.
“Easy, there.”
“What? It means Aunt Dylan would’ve kicked our asses.” Knox acts all offended. “Always trying to fight me.”
“That better be why,” I say, thinking it’s possible I’ve had a little too much to drink.
The song finally ends, and poor Owen is released from his restraints. To his credit, he was shaking his head and laughing the entire time.
His best man and best friend Ryan walks out to grab his hand and help him out of the chair. “Bruh, we didn’t even think of doing that the first time.”
My phone buzzes with a text, and I relax into a smile when I look down and see her name.
Dove
Current karaoke situation…
She sends me a picture of Gina with her eyes closed and her mouth open in a strange diagonal like she’s singing. She’s wearing a bright pink sash that reads Same Dick Forever in silver glitter along with a headband that has two inflatable, light-up penises… penii? on each side.
Maverick
Show me yours.
Dove
We didn’t have time to order me a sash, but I have this.
She sends me a selfie of her wearing the same penis headband and holding a cup that says Bride or Die!
Dove
It was the best we could do on short notice. Now send me that video! We’re all dying to see it!!!
I chuckle as I comply, attaching the videos of poor Owen and me getting the treatment. She replies with a string of laughing-crying emojis.
Maverick
The Bradfords are nothing if not torturers.
Dove
I’m so happy to officially be part of the family!
Maverick
Not as happy as I am. Love you.
Dove
Love you.
My chest swells at the words, and I can’t believe tomorrow I’ll walk down the aisle and make her my wife.
Less than a week has passed since I walked into that restaurant and took her away from Corey Hayes—like he did to me all those years ago. Not that he ever had her, but still it was pretty damn sweet to set him straight.
The next day, I took Dove to the jewelry store in town where we found the perfect engagement ring. We picked it out together, an oval-shaped peach-colored diamond with clusters of small white diamonds like blossoms on each side.
I bought it on the spot and put it on her finger.
After I made the deal to buy the orchard and gift it back to the family, I asked Taron if it would be okay for me to propose to his daughter. He only laughed, pulling me in for a hug and asking what took me so long.
Uncle Leon was the next one I had to ask, but shockingly, he was easy going, all smiles and support. I think saving the trees bought me a lot of brownie points with that guy. I hope.
Mom instantly started again on how much fun double weddings can be. “It’s double the fun, and we’re already all here!”
The last thing we wanted was to horn in on Gina and Owen’s big day or steal their thunder in any way. Dove said she had everything she wanted in the world with me here and the orchard saved from demolition, but just like she’s always been since we were kids, Gina declared we were doing it together.
“When have I ever left you out of anything?” she cried, throwing her arms around my neck.
Now, Harristown is crawling with Bradfords and Stones, and we haven’t stopped the party.
Bachelor-Bachelorette night ended with us all sleeping everywhere. The girls crashed at the fancy hotel in town where we reserved a block. The guys were scattered from the house to the flatbed under the stars.
And when all was said and done, Mom was right. It was a double-dose of love and fun under a beautiful setting sun beside that very same tree where Dove held my hand and told me she’d marry the guy who loved this place as much as she did on the spot.
We said our I dos overlooking our trees as the reverend pronounced us man and wife.
“Did you have any idea I was the guy?” I ask, sliding my nose down the side of her peachy, coconut, rose-scented hair as we have our couples dance.
“I might’ve hoped you’d be the guy.” Her voice is soft, and she looks up at me, twinkle lights sparkling in her eyes. “I had no idea how we’d get here.”
Knowing our history, I think it’s the only way it could’ve happened.
I glance across the dance floor to where Owen has Gina in his arms. They’re swaying to the music, warm smiles on their faces, and the way they gaze at each other tells me they didn’t miss a beat having us join them.
Gina’s dress is an elaborate, floor-length billowy white gown with a long veil and small clusters of peach flowers on each side of her head. Her strawberry-blonde hair hangs over her shoulders, and her friend Lisa caught her large bouquet of ivory roses and summer flowers.
The bridesmaids are all in variations of green dresses that I think are supposed to match the leaves on the trees. Owen’s suit is also dark green, and it’s clear a lot of planning went into their side of the ceremony.
I’m in a beige linen suit with a white dress shirt. My hair is tied back in a significantly smaller ponytail, and Knox drove up from New Orleans to be my best man on short notice.
Dove’s knee-length white dress might be a last-minute find, but she still takes my breath away. The top is a sort of large lace that reminds me of oversized flower petals. They part over her upper arms and go up to her neck in the front.
Then when she turns around, her back is smooth and bare. Her pale blonde hair is styled in a braid that goes around her head like a crown, and the ends hang in soft curls to her shoulder. Her cheeks are peachy pink and her lips are glossy.
Holding her now, I slide my hand over her bare skin, and all I can think about is wrapping this up so we can get to consummating.
We sway side to side, and her cheeks flush a pretty color like she knows what I’m thinking. I’m about to ask when she removes all doubt.
“Gina and Owen called dibs on the guest cottage.” She tilts her head, blinking up at me slowly. “My parents reserved a suite for us at the new boutique hotel in town.”
Dipping down, I run my nose along the side of her neck, kissing her soft skin. “Do you think anyone would object to us going there now?”
“Not when you put it like that!” She clasps my hand in hers, dragging me as I laugh to where her parents are standing on the perimeter of the dance floor.
Taron has his arms around Noel, and her head is tilted to the side as she sways and smiles. Dove’s sister Penny is on the floor dancing with Sage, and I glance around to see her uncle Sawyer and Mindy in a clutch as well.
“We’re taking off!” Dove shouts over the music.
Her mom frowns. “We haven’t even cut the cake! You can’t go…”
“We’re wedding crashers anyway, Mom!” Dove pulls her in for a hug. “I thought you wanted grandkids.”
Noel’s eyes widen, and she gives Dove a playful push. “I’ll save your piece, now get out of here.”
Taron only chuckles, shaking my hand. “Welcome to the family, Mav.”
“Thank you, sir.” I shake his hand. “Glad to be here.”
The Grease soundtrack is streaming, and Dove glances over at me from where she’s sitting behind the wheel. She announced she was driving my Rover, since I have no idea where the hotel is located or the best way to get there, and she doesn’t want to waste time.
No arguments here, and the truth is, she’s a lot more familiar with these dark, narrow, unmarked country roads than I am. Although, I think she drives a little too fast on them.
“How are you feeling, babe?” She glances over at me, her slim brows furrowed.
“Like I’m ready to get you naked,” I say, placing my hand on her upper thigh and giving it a squeeze.
Her chin dips, and she exhales a little laugh. “No, I mean, you played so hard in that last game, and you got hit a lot. Your eyebrow was bleeding… That was only two weeks ago.”
Sometimes I forget how new she is to the sport. I slide my palm down to her knee, where the hem of her skirt ends. “I’m good. Face injuries bleed a lot because the skin is so thin.”
“Maverick…” Her voice takes on a heated, warning tone as my hand moves higher up her inner thigh. “I’m driving.”