Page 185 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Shut it, McKenzie.”
“Leave the man alone,” Sandy scolds me.
“You’remybest friend, why are you on his side?”
“The truth has no sides.Now, we need to start planning!”
“I know!I need to get the save the dates—” Ethan takes thephone from my fingers, interrupting my conversation.“Hey!”
“Sandy, she’ll call you back tomorrow, and you can talkabout all that.Right now, I need some time with my future wife.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff.Congratulations, and welcome to thefamily.”
“Thank you.”
The word “family” replays in my head.Family… something Idon’t have.Mom, Daddy, my babies….
“What’s wrong?”Ethan asks.
“I’m getting married, and my parents won’t be there.”Mybottom lip trembles as tears spill onto my cheeks.He hugs me to his chest, gentlystroking my hair.“My Daddy won’t be there to walk me down the aisle.”
“I’m sure they’ll both be there watching over you.”
“Daddy liked you.I think he’d be happy.”
“I think so, too.”
I slip my arm around his stomach and close my eyes.Yes,Daddy would have been proud, and Mom would have adored him.He’s going to be myfamily now.
***Ethan***
“What am I supposed to do with all these clothes?”Caseyasks.
“Wear them?”
“You never let me out of the house.Where am I supposed towear them to?Unless….”
I look up at her expectantly, and she walks over, wrappingher arms around my neck.
“Unless?”
“I can go back to work.”
I take a deep breath.The pleading look in her eyes is toomuch for me.I did say she could go back to work.Besides, she’s too ambitious tosettle for being a housewife.That’s why I’ve made it my duty to make sure allher dreams come true.
“Okay.”
“Oh, thank you!”She begins planting kisses all over myface.
“Anything for you, sweetheart.”
“But?”
I chuckle.“You know me too well.”I slide my hands aroundher waist and give her a stern look.“Sam and Brad stay.They alternate drivingyou to and from the bar.”
“Okay.”
That’s strange.No argument?
