25. #2
“Why do you think I was the one that did something? How do you know it’s not him?”
“I know from experience that when there’s a shit-show, it’s usually because you started it.”
I looked at Adam and Emerald before I asked, “Do you see why I divorced his ass? You should try to put up with that shit around the clock. It’s maddening.”
“I think I see him now,” Micah said before his face transformed into the big grin I’d fallen in love with all those years ago. “The man is good.”
“What’s he doing?” I asked before I turned around. “I’m not sure I can take another surprise.”
“You’re gonna like this one,” Emerald insisted as she picked up her phone to start recording. “Holy shit. This is fantastic.”
“Okay, now I’m a little afraid to turn around and look.”
“Jewel Romano!” Ziggy yelled from somewhere behind me.
I spun around, happy to hear my new name for the first time coming from the man who’d given it to me, and felt my mouth drop open in shock at the sight before me.
“Holy shit! What the hell are you doing, Nip?”
“I’m sweeping my bride off her feet so that we can ride off into the sunset together,” Ziggy explained.
“The sun set hours ago and you’re probably going to get both of us killed! How the hell did you get up there?”
Ziggy let out a put-upon sigh before he said, “I’ve been practicing for a few days now.”
“Is that why you’ve been walking like you’ve got a plug in your ass?”
“Do you realize how many people are listening to this conversation right now, Kitten?”
Suddenly I remembered where we were and looked around to find my friends and family watching our interaction.
My gaze shot over to Mom and Dad, and I laughed when I realized Dad had his eyes closed and his head back as if he was wishing he could disappear, and Mom had her hands over her face, probably wishing for the same thing.
“I think I embarrassed my parents.”
“You think? What about me?”
“You’ll get over it.”
“I will when you get your ass up here so I can finish the evening off with a bang.”
“What kind of bang? Is that a six shooter in your pocket or are you just happy to see me.”
“Kitten . . .” Ziggy growled.
“It better not be, because do you know what horses do when they hear loud noises?”
“No, what?”
“Believe me, you don’t want to find out.”
“Are you gonna get up here or not?”
“Not a chance in hell.”
“Is there ever gonna be a day when you do what I ask without giving me nine kinds of shit about it?”
“Probably not.” When Ziggy frowned I said, “It’s too late now, buddy. The words have been said and there are no take-backs.”
“Technically we won’t get our marriage license until Monday, so there might be.”
“Too many witnesses, Nip. Didn’t you learn anything in Mobster 101?”
“Get your ass up here on this horse so we can leave!”
“And how do you propose I do that?” I asked.
“You’re from Texas, Kitten. Aren’t all of you born knowing how to ride a horse?” When I rolled my eyes Ziggy laughed as he looked around and asked, “Should I have ridden up on a white motorcycle instead?”
“She’d argue either way!” Uncle Hank yelled.
“Listen, Kitten, you’re gonna have to get up here on this fucking horse so we can get out of here because I know for a fact I can’t get down without making an ass of myself.”
“As if riding up in the middle of a crowd on an animal that terrifies you didn’t already make that happen.” I gave it a few seconds before I asked, “Where are you taking me?”
“To my truck where there is already a bag packed for each of us.”
“I can’t leave town, I’ve got appointments next week.”
“No you don’t!” Spruce yelled.
“Leave, Jewel!”
“For the love of God, Ziggy, keep her out of town for weeks, please!”
“Your siblings seem eager to have a break from you.”
“They’ll be blowing up my phone by tomorrow, the next day at the latest.” I told him with a shrug. “You’re not going to get down are you?”
When Ziggy slowly shook his head I sighed and reached for the bridle so I could lead the horse to the nearest chair.
I spoke soothingly to the mare as I situated her where I needed her, and then stepped up onto the chair before I slid my leg over the saddle and hopped up in front of Ziggy.
The well trained horse, one I recognized as Leia’s favorite, stayed in place while I got situated in the saddle.
As I took the reins I looked over my shoulder and said, “You realize this horse is gray and not white, right?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice. That’s why I waited until it was dark to ride in.”
“This is Aretha. She’s been Leia’s favorite mare since we were kids. As a matter of fact, I learned to ride on Aretha.”
“So you do know how!”
“Haven’t you realized yet that I know everything?”
“I might not know everything, but I know I love you. Now, get us out of here before I embarrass myself.”
I turned Aretha back in the direction Ziggy had ridden in from, and did my best beauty queen wave as we left the patio.
There were whistles and cheers, along with lots of good wishes, and Ziggy held me tight around the waist as they faded behind us after we rounded the corner of the large building at the back of the property.
“Have you ever seen Pretty Woman?” I asked.
“Probably. Why?”
“She wants him to ride up on a white horse, but he’s got a limousine instead. He climbs up the ladder to rescue her even though he’s terrified.”
“I’m not afraid to admit that learning to ride scared the shit out of me. I’m not past it yet, and hope I never have to get that way because this is definitely a one and done situation.”
Aretha picked up her pace when Rowdy came into sight, and I knew she was more excited to see the trailer that likely contained the hay she loved so much.
Since there wasn’t a chair nearby, I directed Aretha to get close to the side of the horse trailer, and hooked my foot into one of the slats before I lifted my other across the saddle to dismount.
“Good grief, Jewel. You really do know what you’re doing!”
“I told you, Nip. I know everything!”
“She’s always been a little uppity about how smart she is,” Leia’s dad said before he gave me a hug. “Congratulations, kiddo.”
“Thanks. Now we’ve gotta get my husband off Aretha before he shits himself.”
Rowdy giggled before he admitted, “I’ve been waiting patiently but he surpassed all expectations.”
“Who won?”
“Won what?” Ziggy asked as he threw his leg over the back of the saddle and slid to the ground. He winced before he asked, “How long before my legs straighten back out?”
“Your mom won the pot. She bet that Ziggy would successfully ride up to you, that you’d give him shit, and then rescue him right back.”
“She’s watched that movie with me at least a dozen times.”
“I’m gonna have to watch it again so I know what you’re talking about.”
I stepped into Ziggy’s arms before I said, “You can watch it after the honeymoon. Where are we going, by the way?”
Ziggy let me go and took my hand as we walked toward his truck that was parked not too far away. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
“And I’ll follow you there.”
“You’ll probably complain about it the entire time.”
“Maybe.”
“There’s no maybe to it. I’ve noticed a pattern with you.”
“You noticed something? Aww, look at you evolving.”
“I can’t believe I married someone who is so mean to me.”
“I haven’t yet begun to be mean. I won’t show you all my colors until I’m completely entrenched in your life.”
Ziggy opened the passenger door before he said, “You’re already so much a part of it I’m not sure I could breathe without you in it.”
“I feel the same way, Nip. I love you too.”
THE END