Page 60 of Ride a Cowboy

Macie was proud to be a Sparks, proud to be a part of such an amazing family.

Amanda and Brandi held hands, looking at each other with such love, such happiness. Macie’s heart was so full, she feared it would burst.

“Sure, there will be happy times, making dinner together, playing with your kitten, binge-watching Netflix, game nights with friends. But maybe life won’t always be great. If you can make it through the sad times, the mad times, the ‘we’re so freaking broke’ times, at the other end, you’re going to find yourselves sitting in matching recliners watching repeats of Friends for the millionth time and realizing there is no one else on the planet you’d rather do a whole lot of nothing with.”

The brides laughed, as did the crowd. Their love of the old sitcom was well-known as they quoted lines from it constantly.

“You’ve chosen to be with someone who makes you think, makes you laugh, makes you better. Amanda and Brandi have written their own vows, which they’d like to exchange now.”

As the brides shared their own promises and words of love, Macie lifted her gaze to Hank. He was looking at her as if the sun rose and set on her shoulders.

He made her think and laugh everyday. And he made her want to be a better a person.

Macie listened as her friends spoke and felt the tears she’d been struggling to hold in stream down her face. When the brides finished and looked at her, spotting her tears, the three of them laughed quietly at what sappy, happy idiots they were being. They exchanged the rings, all three of them constantly wiping their eyes and grinning their fool heads off.

Amanda had insisted on a champagne toast at the end of the ceremony, so Macie reached for the brides’ glasses, handing them each one before claiming her own—she’d replaced her champagne with ginger ale. The guests had been given a glass of the bubbly before taking their seats.

Macie raised her glass. “Nikki Giovanni once said, ‘We love because it’s the only true adventure.’ Brandi, Amanda, let the adventure begin. To you.”

Everyone took a sip of champagne and then Macie said, “You may kiss your bride.”

Harley, Caleb, and Tyson had snuck to the back at some point and, at her cue, began playing “When the Right One Comes Along,” by Nashville as the brides made their way back down the aisle hand in hand.

They were followed by the guests as they all headed to the large tent set up next to Tyson’s house for the reception. Macie’s mom and aunts had laid out one heck of a spread, the delicious smells of fried chicken and barbeque filling the air. It wasn’t a Sparks’ event without barbeque.

Macie’s dad was hugging the brides, giving them both a kiss on the cheek, when Macie stepped under the tent. While Brandi’s parents had come to the wedding, Amanda’s family had refused. As such, Macie’s dad was doing the first dance with Amanda, declaring she was “his girl” anyway. While Dad drove her crazy on most days, she loved him to the moon and back, and always would.

“That was incredible, Whiskey.” Hank stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. His hands gently stroked her stomach, and she knew he was imagining their baby growing inside. “You nailed it.”

She twisted to face him. “I couldn’t have written any of that without you. I’ve learned so much about love in the last couple of months.”

“So have I.”

Ty’s Collective had already set up a small stage on one side of the tent, so once they plugged their instruments into the amps, the music began.

When Tyson and Harley started singing “Tenerife Sea,” Hank took her hand and pulled her to the dance floor.

“When can we start telling people?” he murmured in her ear.

She laughed. “It’s too soon.”

Hank gave her a hesitant nod that set off her Spidey senses.

“Who did you tell?”

He gave her a grin that didn’t look as guilty as it should. “Porter.”

“Oh, thank God. I was afraid you were going to say my dad.”

Hank snorted. “Give me a little credit. TJ is not someone I’d trust with a secret.”

“But Porter is?” Then Macie rolled her eyes. “You know, I was only away from you for the twenty minutes it took for the ceremony. That’s pretty fast work. And you accuse me of being a shameless gossip.”

“Couldn’t help it. Sort of forgot to put my shields up. Sat down next to him, grinning from ear to ear, and he asked me what happened. It slipped out. But don’t worry, I told him to keep it to himself. I just… Macie.” He said her name with such wonder, such love, she had to hug him.

She couldn’t be mad at him. Not for this. She was in the same boat, dying to scream the news to the world. And she knew what being a father meant to Hank, how much he wanted it, how he’d resigned himself for years to the fact that it wasn’t going to happen.

But she knew it was smarter to wait until more time had passed. It was far too early in the pregnancy. Plus, it was Amanda and Brandi’s day.

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