Chapter 110
Logan was right. By morning, the sun has dried enough of the mud that we’re able to drive easily and fairly smoothly out from the backwoods of the lake. I call the mayor as soon as we hit Main Street and tell him what we want.
“You and Logan?” he asks me, confused. “Logan Wild? I thought you two were divorced. And you said you’re never getting married again.”
“I’m marrying Logan,” I say firmly. “Today. My psychic even pulled the wedding card for me, but I didn’t understand the meaning until now.”
“Sweetheart, are you sure you’re all right?
Logan’s in Florida about to marry Gigi. Is this because of the Darcy Gazette story and how you think you’re cursed?
Poor child. Sometimes children of alcoholics feel an enlarged sense of responsibility from having to grow up too fast, or they blame themselves unfairly for things that are not their fault. ”
“Yes, you’re correct about that, Mayor Huggins. But that’s not what this is about.”
I hand Logan the phone, and he tells the mayor that he and Gigi broke up.
“I mean, I never liked Gigi much myself,” I hear Mayor Huggins say through the phone. “You and Macey are perfectly matched. I don’t know what you were thinking, son. Not much, I see.”
“Tell him the truth,” I whisper.
Logan shakes his head at me.
“I was…stupid,” Logan says finally.
The mayor laughs loudly. “Well, isn’t that the truth? At least you came to your senses, boy!”
Logan hands the phone back to me.
I cover it with my hand and say, “Why didn’t you tell him everything?”
“Because your father has enough problems,” he says. “Let’s keep this between us and my parents. They’ve already agreed.”
“But that’s not fair to you,” I whisper. “Everyone will think you were really with Gigi.”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks but you.” Logan leans over to kiss me.
“I love you so much,” I say as I kiss him back.
“Hello? Hello?”
Whoops. I nearly forgot about the mayor on the line.
“Sorry, sir. So you’ll do it?” I say into the phone. “It’s my birthday, too. What a great present you’d be giving me.”
“It takes three days for a wedding permit,” he reminds me.
“I know, sir, but I’m sure with your status, you can pull some strings. You’ve pulled strings before for people on military leave and other emergencies.”
“But this is a holiday,” he continues to complain. “I was just about to get the grill fired up.”
“It’s the holiday,” I remind him. “The entire town had been preparing for a July fourth wedding. This is Darcy’s last chance to use the legend for anything and everything you’ve always used it for. After tonight, Jane Austen’s ghost is locked up. Forever.”
Logan gives me the thumbs up as I reduce Mayor Huggins to silence.
“You know you’re right,” the mayor agrees after a long pause. “The press was furious that Logan and Gigi skipped town after planning to marry here, and that Ginny and Dave debacle was simply awful.”
I hold my breath.
“Yes,” he says enthusiastically. “I think a wedding tonight is exactly what our town needs. It will help tourism, not to mention our reputation. If y’all can swing by my place, I will personally administer your license myself.
I’ll even call Reverend Sands and make sure he’s free.
We’ll fill up the chapel. The entire place.
It’s our last chance before the ghost legend comes to a close.
I think seven o’clock is the perfect time for a wedding, don’t you? ”
I thank him profusely and hang up. Then, I check my voice mails.
“Oh no,” I say as Logan drives us toward my place.
“What?”
“Mama ran into your mother at the theater this morning.” I repeat the message word for word as I listen. “She was shocked to see Brenda Wild because she was certain that she was in Florida, which is over four states away.”
Logan grins. “I’m sure that was a fun conversation.”
“Brenda told her very little except that she and your dad just got in after flying the red-eye, and she was on her way home to call everyone who has plane tickets and make sure they don’t use them.
Mama’s dying to find out the details. All she knows is the wedding is off, which she thinks is a very good thing because she never did think Logan and Gigi were right together. ”
Logan stops at the red light. “Sum it up, Mace. I don’t want to feel like she’s here in the car with us.”
“Right. So now that Mama knows I’m not going to Florida, she wants me to stop by their house for an alcohol-free barbecue this afternoon to celebrate my birthday.” I look over at him. “Do you want to show up at the Henwood den and invite them to our wedding tonight?”
“As soon as we change and get our marriage license in place.”
“By the way, I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided to hyphenate my name with yours,” I say to him. “So call me independent or whatever, but that’s my final offer.”
“Macey Henwood-Wild,” Logan says, trying it out. “They sound damn good together.”
I squeeze his hand. “Yes, they do.”
I put my bare feet up on the dashboard and check my email next. I have one that was sent yesterday evening.
The agent who asked for my manuscript is offering me representation.
I turn to Logan with a scream. “Oh, my God!”
He grins and leans over to kiss me as we pull into my driveway.
I change into a sundress, and then we go to Logan’s cottage. He’s just changed when we run into his parents coming up the front walk.
Mr. Wild looks startled to see us. “I was just coming to deliver a message. The Austin gallery called the house and said they want to see more of your paintings.”
Logan stares at him.
“A whole show.” His father’s face beams with pride. “It’s set for next month. Your West Texas landscapes.”
“See, baby.” Logan turns to me with a grin. “That trip did even more than we thought.”
I smile and take his hand. “You’ve got a new career.”
We turn to his parents, who are looking at us very curiously.
“This time, everything feels right.” Logan puts his arm around me. “Are you both free tonight? I hear there’s a kick-ass wedding happening at The Cowherd.”
Mrs. Wild throws her arms around Logan and then me. “I’m so happy it’s you,” she whispers in my ear. “Little Lo is getting married for real!”
“So round up Reid, Ty, and Jesse, and tell them to get their best usher suits ready tonight at seven,” Logan says.
“Rather than have them fight over who’ll be the best man, I’m going to ask Blake.
Luke will be pissed to miss it, but I’m not going to ask my Montana cousins to have to get here this short-notice. We’ll celebrate with them later.”
When Mr. Wild takes me aside, I’m so surprised at the tears in his eyes that I don’t know what to say to him.
But he speaks first. “I’m happy Logan got the heck out of Florida. Marriage is hard enough without throwing in a kink like that.”
“Yes. And thank you, Mr. Wild, for helping Logan to find a different solution. I had no idea what he was up to. And to keep the whole thing quiet to make things easier for my parents is so kind of you and your wife. My daddy’s getting off easy for this. But I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“Everyone makes mistakes. Especially fathers.” Mr. Wild puts his arm around my shoulder and lowers his voice.
“Ever since you and Logan were small, the way you always were together…and how he looked at you like the sun rose and set over your sweet head.” He clears his throat.
“He deserves love. Even if I couldn’t give it to him right. ”
I reach out and hug him.