Page 150 of Can't Get Over You
“You did, Dad. You looked just like that.”
“Man, I amnevergetting married,” Decker said.
“Hey, a football keeps you warm at night.” Jude tipped his chin toward his bride. “I get her.” That lush body, her caring nature, and sense of humor…Finlay had it all. She was everything to him. His best friend, his lover, and his partner in life. “Let’s go see Mom.” Setting Cody on his feet, he headed down the petal-strewn aisle.
“Isn’t she pretty, Dad? She looks like a princess.”
“She’s the most beautiful woman in the world. We’re so lucky to be with her.” Every time he saw her across a crowded room or spotted her in a grocery store, he still got that same hit of attraction. He would never stop wanting her.
As they reached her, she beamed a smile at him. “Jude McKenna, will you marry me?”
“Nothing I want more.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she put a hand on his chest.
“No, sir. We haven’t gotten to that part yet.” Still, her gaze dropped to his mouth, and her tongue made a slow slide along her bottom lip. But she snapped out of it. “I hope you don’t mind the surprise.”
“Not at all.” That was one of the best things about being with her. She kept things fun.
“Good. Because it’s go-time.” She waved at Ava, who set a flower arrangement on the table before heading over.
Halfway down the aisle, she clapped her hands to get everyone moving over to the arbor. “Let’s get these two married.” When she reached the altar, she smoothed Cody’s hair. “You know what you’ve got to do.”
He nodded. “I’m on it.”
“How long have you been planning this?” Jude watched his boy take off. “And how did you keep it a secret when everyone we know was in on it?”
“Well, it’s a funny story. Remember when Willa was in town for that meeting with the Petticoat Rulers?”
“Sure.”
“Well, Knox Holliday happened to be there, too. And we got to talking, and I told her our story. She said to let her know when we’re ready to get married because she’d love to make me a dress. And it just struck me that Iwasready. More than ready. And then, we all started talking about what kind of wedding I wanted, and her sister-in-law, Stella, was there, so she threw out ideas, and from there…it all just sort of happened. Honestly, I didn’t plan a single thing. Everyone took a role and ran with it.”
“A role? What do you mean?”
She gestured to the yard. “Gunnar said he’d handle the food, so he talked to Delilah Lua, the executive chef at Wally’s, and then Coco Cavanaugh said she’d make the cake. Knox designed the dress, Wild Heart Florals offered up bouquets… I mean, everyone just pitched in.”
“Why?” It didn’t make sense to him. He barely knew most of these people.
“Well, I mean, I’ve taught most of their kids, and your dad helped grow their businesses.” She touched his arm. “Mostly, I think people see you around town with Cody and think you’re awesome.”
“That makes no sense. I’m like any other dad.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Remember the photo of you and Cody during the Bamboozled Duck Race? You’re looking all dark and dangerous in your black jeans and boots with your beard and long hair, and there you are with a six-year-old boy on your lap, licking ice cream cones at the lake and watching the duck boats float down the river.”
He did remember that. What was so special about getting a cone with your boy?
“Well, that photo has more likes and comments than anything else on Calamity’s Splashagram page. But also, I think everyone’s just really happy for us.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He’d felt like an outcast his entire life in Calamity, so to have everyone showing up like this…
“It helps that you haven’t made that scary face in a while, so you’ve given them a chance to get to know you.”
He tugged on his beard. “I guess I should’ve shaved.”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “I love you exactly the way you are. Your beard is sexy. Your bike’s sexy. Your ass is sexy. Everything about you gets me hot and bothered. I love our life, and I want to stand in front of everyone we know and celebrate us becoming a family.”
“I don’t know what to say other than thank you. Thank you for loving me and giving me a true home.” Overwhelmed, all he could do was say, “I love you.”
“And you make me feel it every single day. Not just with your words, but also with the way you make my coffee every morning.And when I forgot my lunch on that field trip to Yellowstone? You left an important meeting to ride out there and bring it to me. You make me feel special and important and…” Her features softened, and she smiled. “Totally, perfectly loved.”
