Chapter 36
Baylor
I slip my ring on, then flex my fingers. It’s weird how different it feels wearing the metal band than not. I’ve felt the absence of it for the past few weeks. This feels right. Though seeing the rings sparkling on my wife’s hand feels amazing.
She spins in front of me with her arms out, her wedding dress as pretty as the day she got out of that car. “What do you think?”
“As gorgeous as the first time you wore it.”
“I’m glad I have another opportunity to wear it.
I think it’s perfect for tonight. From what Christine told me, she’s gone all out.
She wants the setting picture perfect, Southern Living magazine cover ready.
” Coming to me, she says, “I want to enjoy the dinner, but seeing you back dressed to impress in those boots with your buckle and starched cowboy shirt is making me reconsider my plans.”
I walk to the hook on the wall by the door in the bedroom and take my finest cowboy hat. Silverbelly is an odd name for a color but that’s what Stetson called it when I ordered. “Wait until you see me with the hat. ”
As soon as I set it on my head, her eyebrows shoot up and those pretty lips of hers part. “Be still my beating heart.” She throws her arms up. “Forget it. We’re staying home.”
Home.
It’s nothing ever formally stated because it was never a place once my mom passed. It was a memory of what used to be my childhood. I didn’t know what I was missing in New York until Lauralee came along. Now I feel it. I feel her in my soul because she’s my home. Wherever she goes, I go.
The apartment is temporary. One day, we’ll have our own homestead and family, and a house that keeps us warm in winter and cool in the summertime. For now, we’ll make strides to build that future together. Tonight, we’ll start with the announcement of our marriage.
Her arms are around me, and her lips brush against mine. But when she tells me she loves me, I feel whole. With a quick lick of my lips after hers leave mine, I ask, “Ready to go, Mrs. Greene?”
She hooks her arm with mine, smiling like she’s the lucky one in this deal we’ve made. She’s fooling herself. Everyone else and I know full well that I’m the one who scored in this relationship. “More than ready.”
“Something tells me they already know,” she says, glancing over at me when I park the truck at the house.
My family and hers are all on the porch steps waving at us. Big smiles, dressed up, and a caterer nearby. “Yeah. I’m getting the same feeling.” I get out and go around to help her down from the truck. Holding her by the waist, I add, “Do you think Beckett told them?”
“No. He wou ldn’t.” She lands on her feet, and whispers, “She said it would be nice. So maybe it’s not about us at all.”
“Maybe, but this feels like a setup.”
There’s a skip to her step as she starts toward the house. “You’ve outdone yourself, Chris,” she says. “This is beautiful.”
“The guests of honor have finally arrived,” my sister says, beaming from the inside. “We didn’t get to attend the wedding, but there was no way we weren’t celebrating the newlyweds with a reception.” She starts clapping, and everyone is quick to join in. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Greene.”
My girl’s cheeks are as red as tomatoes, but that smile .
. . I hold my hand to my heart. It knocks me out.
I take hold of her hand like I’ve been itching to in public since I got back to the Pass.
Since they know, there’s no use hiding it.
“You were right. We weren’t hiding it as well as we thought we were. ”
“I don’t know if I was hiding it at all anymore.”
We’re surrounded by everyone hugging and congratulating us while laughter fills the air. Beckett comes to my side and wraps his arm around me. I do the same. “Hey, buddy.”
“I didn’t tell anyone.”
Making me grin, I say, “I knew you wouldn’t. That’s why I shared with you. Do you know how they figured it out?”
“Christine said she knows Lauralee too well. My dad told her that he saw you guys looking at each other all funny last week.” He ducks out of the crowd before I can ask more questions. Smart kid.
My sister squeezes through to embrace me. “Aw, big brother. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations. You couldn’t have picked a better match.”
“You’re t elling me. I’m just glad she asked me.”
She steps back, shock strikes her features, widening her eyes. “She asked you?”
Shortcake’s going to kill me for sharing that nugget of information. “It’s a little more complicated than that. A story for another time, and probably her telling it is best.”
That makes her laugh like it does me. Anyway, I don’t want my wife kicking my ass for sharing without her here to add her own spin on the situation. “That’s what sneaking around will do to ya. I know firsthand.”
“Ha! You sure do.”
Whacking me in the chest, she says, “Good job on the rings, by the way. Wow. They’re stunning.”
“Glad you approve.” When she turns to Tagger, my dad sneaks in. “Hi, Dad. You mad?”
“Mad at you for getting married and not telling me?” He shoos an imaginary fly away.
“Nah. It’s none of our business, but I sensed something was different the night at the hospital.
I almost asked if things had changed between you two.
From friends to . . . you know, more. Seemed there was enough to keep our minds busy, though.
” Bringing me in for one of his famous back pats, he says, “I just know your mom is celebrating this union. She used to say you two would make a good couple. Something about opposites balancing each other out like she and I did.” I didn’t expect to get choked up, but sometimes we’re not in control of these things.
“She wasn’t wrong. She made a match alright. ”
“She sure did.”
I steal a peek of my wife kneeling in front of Daisy, who’s placing a halo of flowers on her head. Daisy smiles and then shows off the one on her head. “Like Lee Lee’s.”
Lauralee helps her put hers back on, then gives her a hug.
A punch to my shou lder staggers me, and I shove Tagger back before he pulls me in. “Haven’t you hugged me enough lately, fucker?” I joke. We step back and do the ole handshake before chuckling. It never gets old—unlike us. Though my wingman and I are still looking good as married old men.
“It was a bet, not a threat. No one said you had to get married to get the car.”
I look down at the new boots he just scuffed with the tip of his. It happens. The first just hurts the most. “That’s weird. I swore you said I had to marry her to win the car back.”
Panic filters into his eyes. “No way.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Dude, I didn’t marry her to win a bet or the car. I married her because I love her. But I’m also taking full ownership of the vehicle.”
“As you should. You went above and beyond. It’s going to be hard to top this bet.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m out of the betting arena. No more for me. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m happy, and I’m not fucking this up.”
Raising his hands, he’s finally giving up. “Understood. Want a beer?”
“Thought you’d have one ready for me.”
“Coming right up.”
I give Peaches a hug before we all sit down for dinner. It was nice to have her support from the start.
Herbs and flowers mixed in Mason jars. Twinkly lights trapped in smaller ones give a nice glow as the sun begins to set. Mom’s nice dishes set the table. I haven’t seen these in so long. I’m glad they’re finding new use.
With wine and beer flowing, toasts are given.
Even Beckett raises a glass of sweet tea and tells us he’s ready for us to have a boy cousin for him to play with.
I catch Lauralee’s eyes when kids are mentioned throughout the evening.
She even nudges at one point when she’s holding Julie Ann for a bit.
“How do you feel about starting a family soon, stud?”
I wrap my arm around her and kiss her temple. “No time like the present.”
From across the table, my sister asks, “So I take it you’re staying for good this time?”
Holding Lauralee’s hand on my leg under the table, I glance at her, and reply, “Can’t get rid of me now.”
Chris raises a glass of water, and says, “To the happy couple. Welcome home to Peachtree Pass.”