Epilogue 2
epilogue 2
GEORGIE
There are people everywhere. Tourists and locals milling around for the official closing of the festival and the announcement of the sugar cookie and window decorating winners.
And I’m ignoring it all.
My focus is solely on the man in front of me.
We’re bundled up in our winter coats, our hair stuffed under beanies, our joined hands kept apart by thick gloves.
I don’t care we’re not wearing typical fancy wedding attire. All I want is to marry Drew. Where, when, and how don’t matter at all.
“You ready?” he asks, knowing I most definitely am.
I nod and turn to Mayor Sanchez. “When you’re ready.”
“Are you sure you want to keep it so simple?” he asks with a frown.
“Yes,” we chorus. Looking back at each other we grin.
“Okay then, here goes. Do you Drew Westwood take Georgie Bookman to be your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Do you Georgie Bookman take Drew Westwood to be your husband?”
“Yes.”
“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
Before the mayor can say the words, we’re kissing.
“Well, no need to tell you two what to do.” The mayor chuckles. “I’ve already got the signed paperwork at the office. I’ll message my assistant to lodge them now.”
Coming up for air, I keep my arms firmly around Drew and say, “Thank you.”
“I must admit, I’ve enjoyed doing this. I might have to add it to my list of services.”
I don’t take my eyes off my husband as he says goodbye and offers the mayor a handshake around my body. I’m not ready to let him go.
When we’re alone, Drew slips his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. He grins down at me. “Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before the gossip queens get wind of this?”
“I give it less than a minute.”
“Less than a minute?”
“Yeah, they’re over there grilling the mayor right now.”
“You’re joking!” He turns his head to see where I’m pointing. “Well damn. I thought we’d at least get a day to enjoy our little secret.”
“That’s okay, we’ve got our other secret.”
“Maybe we can up that somehow next year.”
“Oh, how?”
“Maybe Jingle Balls needs a Secret Santa.”
“I’m intrigued.”
“I’ll tell you what I’m thinking later. Right now I want to take my wife home and make love to her.”
“I love that sound of that.”
“The make love part or the wife part?”
“Both.”
“Me too.”
Wiggling, I slip out of his arms and say, “By my calculations it’s a good time to make a special Christmas present.”
His mouth drops open but he snaps it shut with a shake of his head. “You mean…” At my nod he adds, “Let’s go!”
He grips my elbow and steers me to the street where we parked the truck. I love it when he’s bossy. A little demanding. It fills me with warmth and turns my insides to liquid.
It’s hard to believe it’s less than a month since our first date. It’s not even four weeks and here I am, married to the man of my dreams and getting ready to start a family with him.
Oh, and we’re going to do up Granny’s house. We’re going to add more rooms because Drew doesn’t want to stop at one child. He wants as many as I’m willing to carry and if I want more and can’t carry them we’ll find another way to grow our family.
I know Granny would be thrilled to know I found someone who loves me as deeply as I love him.
“Hey! Look at this! Jingle Balls has left a fifth ball!”
I giggle.
Drew leans down and whispers. “What did you do?”
“I made our wedding announcement.”
“You realize you probably outed yourself, right?”
“Don’t care.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I look up at my new husband and shiver with joy. I love knowing he’s mine. “If someone works it out and asks me, I won’t lie. If they don’t, I’ll keep doing it again next year the way I have been.”
“And if they do?”
“I’ll still sneak them on the tree. Who’s doing it just won’t be a secret.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“You know what would make me happy right now?”
“What?”
“Making love to my husband.” That title fits him so much better than Deputy Grumpy.
“That’s the plan, wife.” He yanks open the truck door, and with a grin, says, “Get in the truck or I’ll put you there.”
Laughing, I launch myself onto the passenger seat.
He doesn’t wait for me to buckle up, he slams the door as soon as I’m clear and races around the hood.
The rev of the engine has me laughing again, and as he accelerates past the posted speed limit I laugh harder.
I love that he’s willing to break the law to be with me but put my hand on his leg and squeeze.
“Do not get pulled over. I don’t want to spend my wedding night bailing you out of jail.”
“Sorry.” He smiles over at me. “That would make a funny event for Jingle Balls to paint next year though.”
“Oh, no, I’ve already got a couple lined up.”
“Oh, tell me.”
I hold up a hand and tick off my choices. “Sheriff Whitworth skinny dipping in the lake. Holly Raymond with a lizard poking out of her jacket. A bag of flaming poop on Dennis’s doorstep. I’m saving the last one.”
“For?”
“Baby Westwood if we get lucky before next Christmas.”
He puts his hand on my, wraps his fingers around it. “We’ll do our best to make that happen.”