Page 134 of Just One of the Groomsmen
Instead, they brought it in for one big mushy huddle.
…
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The second the words were out of the preacher’s mouth, Shep enthusiastically kissed his bride. Then he lifted a fist in the air and everyone cheered louder.
Addie glanced at Tucker, and he gave her a smile that sent her heart racing.
They followed Shep and Lexi back down the aisle, over to the reception area. The couple was announced, and then Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd stepped onto the portable dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
The song Addie now had memorized swelled, and as the first verse wound down, Tucker locked his arm into place around her. “You ready for this?”
“I sure hope so. Promise you won’t let me fall.”
“I promise to never let you fall,” he said, and then they were off and waltzing to a song about being meant for loving each other.
Countless pictures followed. Comments from everyone in town. Food and drinks. Laughing. So much laughing.
“Excuse me,” Mr. James Lindley said, stopping in front of her and Tucker. “At the trial last night, you didn’t let the audience say anything.”
Tucker’s brow furrowed. “Oh-kay. And you had something to say? To help me win over Addie?”
Mr. Lindley glanced at her. “No, not about that. I mean, congratulations, I guess. But you won’t take my case. I wanted you to answer to that.”
“James, you need to talk to your brother already. Do you want me to raise my voice and ask everyone if they agree?”
Addie squeezed Tucker’s hand under the table, trying to silently signal to him that under no circumstance should that happen. They’d already upstaged the rehearsal—with Lexi’s blessing, but still.
This was Lexi’s day, and if anyone tried to ruin it, Addie would personally take them out.
Even if she had to hurdle the table in her short dress and tackle Mr. Lindley to the ground.
Tucker winked at her, making her think he knew what he was doing—she certainly hoped so. Especially since she now had that twitterpated light-headed sensation that made it hard to think straight.
Mr. Lindley hung his head. “No.”
“Just talk to him. If you need a mediator, I’ll help. I’m not going to bring a frivolous lawsuit against him.”
He shuffled away, and Addie leaned against Tucker’s side, loving the way he automatically curled her closer.
“You’re a good lawyer,” she said.
“Thank you.”
“I like that you care about the people here. Quitting your other job was the right choice, and if it means we live in the houseboat for all our lives, it will have been worth it.”
“Oh, now you’re inviting yourself to move in with me? Talk about a total stalker.” He shook his head and lowered his lips to hers. “I had all those signals, too, and I just ignored them.”
“Very funny. You know what I’m saying.”
“I do. I was thinking maybe someday we’ll build a house on my grandpa’s land. It’s a bit out of town and it’ll need a lot of work, and I’d like to completely pay off the loan against it first. It might also add another ten minutes to your commute, but…” He waved a hand through the air. “We can talk about it later.”
“But you’ve thought about it?”
He twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. “Definitely thought about it.”
Affection and desire swelled within her, and if she got any happier, she might float right off. “I’d like that. And I can’t wait to see what an amazing house you can build with your own two, very capable hands. Don’t worry,” she said with a wink that was still closer to a one-and-a-half-eyed-blink. “I’ll take care of the roofing.”
