Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“Wow,” I breathe, and everyone giggles, which makes my cheeks hot. I clear my throat, trying to remember the words I’ve practiced dozens of times, but they’re gone. My mind is completely blank.
“It’s okay,” Carter says quietly, reading me again. “Look at me. It’s just us.”
I fall into Carter’s blue eyes again, like I have so many times now, and see the warmth and acceptance there. I don’t need my practiced words. I know how I feel.
“I hated you, and then you tricked me into this situation that made me uncomfortable. But those aren’t bad things. You pushed me to grow and showed me that things aren’t always what they seem. And in more ways than one, you made my dreams come true. And now, we have a lifetime to create our future and become whoever we want to be . . . together. I vow to bravely go with you on this journey and enjoy every step along the way . . . even when we have to take a step backward to truly go forward.” I glance over at Mom, and she’s tearing up that I used her words in my vows.
“Lovely,” the officiant says. “And now, you may seal your vows with a—”
Carter doesn’t wait for him to say kiss. By the time the officiant says the word, I’m already in Carter’s arms with his mouth on mine. His lips move against me, promising even more than his vows did, and I kiss him back with just as many promises.
We did it. Well, we’re already doing it since we’re technically—legally—already married, but we did it again! I just hope we don’t have to keep having wedding ceremonies and proposals because I’m kinda over the public displays. But as Carter lets me go and we smile at our family and friends, I realize . . . this isn’t that bad. Not nearly as painful as a school field trip tour, at least.
“Woo-hoo!” I shout, holding our entwined hands up high.
There are shocked faces at my outburst, but then everyone celebrates with us.
“Congratulations!”
“Make sure Luna doesn’t pass out again!”
“So happy for y’all!”
“Nutbuster, get your ass over here!”
That last one is Kyle, who’s pulling on Peanut Butter’s leash as the dog tries to make an escape for the barn. I guess he’s hoping to see a particular horse again. He and Ed were good buddies when Peanut Butter visited before, plus the dog knows where the oat cookies are in the barn. Together, he’s made up his mind on where he wants to be and even Kyle isn’t going to hold him back.
“It’s okay, let the mangy mutt run. I’ll take him to the barn and meet y’all up at the house.” Bernard sounds almost . . . happy? Almost as if he realizes it, he adds, “It’ll keep him from tearing up my petunias or pissing on Rosalia.”
“Rosalia?” Kyle echoes in confusion, but Carter and I just laugh.
“Long story,” I offer.
Inside, Elena has the formal dining table expanded to its maximum capacity, and we all sit down. Carter’s at the head of the table, an honor Elena said she would be delighted to extend to him, and I’m on his right.
“I’d like to thank each of you,” Carter says, raising his wine for a toast. “Somehow, you each played a part in getting Luna and me here today, and it’s exactly where we both belong. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
We sip, and that begins a round of toasts from almost everyone. Except me. I’ve had enough time in the spotlight today.
When Elena stands, holding her glass up, she’s more serious than I expect on such a joyous occasion. I would think her toasts would include limericks and creative cursing, but rather, she says, “I lost the most important person in my life and was going through the motions of life. Until a charming young man and a passionate young lady showed up on my doorstep for dinner. And that changed everything. Now, I have an entirely new family.”
She looks around the table at each of us, pausing on Stanley. They’re good now too, having worked out their feelings about Claire’s manipulations. For her part, Claire’s been keeping her distance, probably biding her time, but Elena and Carter will figure it out if she pops up like a weed again. And she’s held up her end of the bargain, letting Elena see Jacob regularly as long as those allowances keep coming.
“If I may,” a polite voice says, interrupting but trying to be polite about it. We turn our eyes to the young chef in a black apron. “Your first course is crab-stuffed mushroom caps with a black pepper cream sauce reduction. Enjoy.”
The chef bows lightly and leaves us to taste the delicious course he’s prepared. He’s sort of connected too, the infamous restauranteur from Cameron’s upcoming venture capital deal. The restaurant is scheduled to open in mere weeks, but the chef said cooking tonight so that Nelda could simply be a guest would be his pleasure. I think that’s at Cam’s request, as a happy send-off for Carter leaving Blue Lake.