Page 33 of Blake Marshall Says He Needs Me

“I heard Flo and Del practicing their dance moves all week!” Missy called. “I went over the other day to pick up Carla, and they were dancing up a storm. Carla was having the time of her life watching them.”

Wilder and I turned our attention to the dance floor, where Flo and Del were not just dancing but orchestrating the Cupid Shuffle with unmatched enthusiasm. Their footwork was a mix of rhythm and improvisation.

Shannon couldn't contain her laughter and shouted, “I think Del just added a twirl to the Cupid Shuffle. Is that even allowed?”

Blake grinned, thoroughly entertained. “They're rewriting the dance rulebook, that's for sure.”

As Flo and Del continued their dance-floor spectacle, the onlookers couldn't help but join in the fun. The infectious energy of the Cupid Shuffle transformed the dance floor into a lively scene. Couples of all ages, friends, and family members joined Flo and Del, creating a vibrant melding of laughter and movement.

I jumped to my feet and beckoned to Missy and Shannon to join in. "Come on, you two! Let's see if we can keep up with Flo and Del!"

As we joined the dance floor, I hollered to Wilder, “I hope you've been practicing your twirls, baby!”

He laughed, twirling me onto the dance with a flourish. “I'll do my best to keep up with Flo and Del.”

The dance floor became a riot of laughter, twirls, and synchronized steps. Flo and Del, now joined by pretty much the whole town of Adams, lead the charge. The Cupid Shuffle had become the highlight of my and Wilder’s wedding.

Back at our table, out of breath but exhilarated, I grinned at Wilder. “Well, that was unexpected but absolutely fantastic! Who knew the Cupid Shuffle could be so much fun?”

Wilder chuckled and pulled me in for a soft, quick kiss. “Leave it to Flo and Del to turn it into a showstopper.”

“Thank you, Wilder,” I whispered. “I have never been happier in my life.”

“Right back at you, honey. When I blew back into Adams, I never imagined this would be my life. A wife to call my own, and our very own growing farm. Speaking of the farm,” he muttered. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “I had tried to get this delivered in time for the wedding, but a storm in Indiana slowed the transport.”

“Transport?” I asked.

He handed me the paper, and I quickly unfolded it. A familiar puppy face looked back at me. “What?” I gasped.

“He’ll be here tomorrow. He was supposed to be your wedding day surprise, but now he’ll be your honeymoon surprise.”

“Wilder,” I cried. “I tried to buy this puppy, and the breeder told me he was already sold. I even offered her double the price if she would sell him to me.”

“I know,” Wilder laughed. “The second you showed him to me, I bought him. I know you want a dog like Bandit, and I think this little guy is going to fit the bill.”

“He’s going to be the perfect addition to our farm,” I sighed. “I can mark one more off my list.”

“Shelby Lynn,” Wilder moaned. “How many more do you have on your list? We’re going to have to buy more property or maybe move.”

I held up two fingers. “Just two more on my list.”

“What are they?” he demanded.

I dropped one finger. “A few kitties. I think Ba would love to have some kitty friends.”

Wilder rolled his eyes but didn’t protest. “What’s the other one?”

I sat on the edge of my chair and grabbed his hand. I laid it on my stomach and looked at him with tears in my eyes. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nerves and joy. “Well, I won’t be able to cross it off for seven months or so.”

There was a moment of stunned silence as the words hung in the air. Wilder's eyes widened, and I could almost see the realization dawn on him. I watched a myriad of emotions play across his face – surprise, joy, and a touch of disbelief.

“Pregnant?” he finally uttered the word, carrying a weight of realization.

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions bubbling within me. “Yes, pregnant. We're going to have a baby.”

Wilder's expression shifted from shock to sheer happiness. A wide grin spread across his face, and he pulled me into a warm embrace. “A baby? Shelby, that's incredible!”

I chuckled, feeling the warmth of his joy. “You're going to be a dad, Wilder.”

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