Epilogue
CLINT
“ Stetson! What in the world are you doing?”
The kid turned to Clint with eyes as wide as saucers. His shirt tail had come untucked from his dress pants, and his hair was tousled on one side.
“Um, I was just…”
The answer to Clint’s question was staring him right in the face. A kid bleated in Stetson’s arms and stared into Clint’s soul with those eerie black eyes.
Goats were weird. Caroline had acquired four of them a few weeks ago, and it seemed the smallest of the bunch was about to crash the wedding.
Not on Clint’s watch. Four-legged friends were officially uninvited.
Clint pointed to the exit. “Turn around and put it back where it came from.”
Stetson’s shoulders sagged. “But Miss Nora told me that Cocoa could carry the rings. They’re tied to the pillow.” Stetson held up the pillow in question. Clint and Nora’s wedding rings dangled in front of Cocoa’s face.
Clint rested his hands on his hips. Who was he to deny his bride anything on her wedding day?
“Listen, if that little bozo eats my wedding ring, I’m–”
“You’re what?” Caroline asked from behind him.
Clint pointed to the barnyard animal. “Why is there a goat at my wedding?”
“Because he’s cute, and he’s Nora’s favorite,” Caroline said as she bent to pet the kid.
“This is not what we rehearsed last night,” Clint reminded her.
“Yeah, but Nora thought it would be fun. Just go with it,” Caroline said as she patted Clint’s arm. “It’s your wedding day. Lighten up.”
“I would be a whole lot lighter if there wasn’t a chance my wife would step in poop while walking down the aisle,” Clint muttered.
“At least everyone can walk on their own two feet now,” Caroline said as she pointed to Clint’s leg. “How does it feel?”
He’d been approved to be full-weight bearing two days ago. Nora had insisted on scheduling the wedding for the moment he could walk on it again. “Better than a hot glazed donut. ”
Caroline’s eyes widened. “Wow. Must be amazing.”
“I’ve been limping for four months. Yeah, walking is one of my favorite things now.”
Caroline’s eyes turned glassy, and the smile on her face wobbled. “I can’t believe you’re getting married.”
“Please don’t cry. I don’t know what to do when you do that,” Clint said as he reached out to pat Caroline’s shoulder.
“I’m not crying. You’re crying,” Caroline said as she wiped her eyes.
“If I cry, Jordan will never let me live it down.”
Caroline huffed. “Jordan cried at his wedding!”
“He did not,” Clint said. “I was there.”
“You were standing behind him,” Caroline pointed out.
Clint’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? He cried, and all this time I could have been making fun of him?”
Caroline glared at him and stuck her finger in his face. “Don’t you dare, or I’ll make sure they say extra sappy things today to make you cry like a baby in front of this whole congregation.”
Clint sized up his little sister. He could be tough, couldn’t he? Then again, he’d gotten choked up a few times just thinking about today.
Stetson made his way to Clint’s side. “Now that Cocoa is carrying the rings, what do I do? ”
“Does the little alien have a leash? You could lead it down the aisle.”
Stetson shook his head.
“Okay, then it looks like you’re the official pooper scooper,” Clint said.
Stetson’s mouth opened wide. “What? I have to pick up its poop?”
Clint shrugged. “Somebody’s gotta do it.”
With a frown, Stetson walked off, mumbling, “I didn’t have to pick up poop at Mom and Zeke’s wedding.”
“Life’s tough. Get a helmet,” Clint said to Stetson’s back as he carried the goat into the vestibule where most of the wedding party waited.
Caroline jerked. “Oh! I came out here to tell you they’re ready for you and the groomsmen up front.”
“Way to lead with the important stuff, sis.”
“Sorry. I got distracted by goat cuteness.”
Clint started down the hallway toward the door where he’d been instructed to enter the sanctuary. “For real, is he gonna pick up the poop?”
Caroline shrugged. “I just brought the goat. I did my part.”
Clint shook his head. “I hate goats.”
“The feeling is probably mutual,” Caroline pointed out.
Clint joined the groomsmen, slapping hands with Jordan, Hollis, Zeke, and Grant just before Caroline shooed them through the door .
Clint shifted from side to side as he waited for the show to get rolling. Finally, the bridesmaids came down the aisle one by one, followed by the stinking goat that trotted along to oohs and aahs. The stupid forager was stealing the show!
Just before the altar, the kid darted off to the left and in front of the first pew. Stetson bolted out of the main doors and after the runaway goat. Everyone in the church laughed as the two pinged around in the high-speed chase.
Clint crossed his arms over his chest and chuckled. Now this was entertainment. Maybe he was wrong about animals at weddings. Everyone was certainly enjoying the show.
Clint looked back down the aisle to see Nora peeking out of the door and laughing hysterically at the antics. Man, it was good to see her happy. His whole body warmed from the inside out.
She ducked back behind the door, and the congregation quieted after Stetson caught the goat and escorted her out of the room.
“You nervous?” Clint’s dad asked beside him. He’d always known his dad would be his best man, and having the man he looked up to beside him as he declared his love for Nora to God and the world was a good decision.
“Not really. Just excited.”
“Good. That’s how I was when I married your mom,” Dad said .
A few seconds later, the wedding march began to play, and the double doors at the end of the aisle opened. Nora stood in a simple white gown with her dark hair wrapped up in a bun of curls.
She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and after today, he could call her his wife.
Ready for more? Return to Redemption Ridge in Matchmaking the Cowboy , the next book in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series.