“The best man?”
“The one and only.”
“Nicholas is gay?”Mom shakes her head.“Oh, dear.The mayor is not going to be happy, him and his pretentious wife.I don’t blame Nicholas for not wanting to tell them.”
I sigh.Nicholas’s parents are assholes.Both of them.“I agree, but he should have told me.”
Mom pulls me into a hug.“Yes, he should.”I let her run her fingers over my hair to soothe me like I’m still just a little girl until she asks the next, logical question.“So, you caught Nicholas cheating, ran out of the church, and met Rygar where, exactly?”
“Bucking Bronco.”
“I see.”She takes a step back and reaches for my hand so she can inspect my wedding band.“You know I support you, no matter what, but maybe you rushed this marriage thing?How long have you known Rygar?”
I check the wall clock and do some quick mental math.“About twenty-one hours, give or take.”
“Madison.”I’ve heard that warning tone in her voice my entire life, I’m not exactly in trouble, but she’s not happy with me either.
Instead of the usual remorse or guilt that tone of voice brings, I sparkle with laughter.“I can’t explain it mom.We met.I kissed him and that was it.Love at first sight.”
“We’ll see what your father has to say about him.”
My grin is genuine.I know Dad well enough to know his request for Rygar’s assistance had ulterior motives.“I’m really happy with Rygar.I promise.I know what I’m doing.”The first assurance is true, he does make me happy.As to knowing what the hell I’m doing married to an alien?That might be a stretch of the truth, but I don’t want my mom to worry.Other than the temporary memory loss—no fixed—and the animal house I woke up to, everything else has been wonderful.
“Okay, if you’re sure.I’m just worried about you.”
“I know.I love you for it.But I need to deal with the cookie crisis right now.”
“What can I do?”Mom asks.
“Help me get an accurate count.Every tray has one hundred cookies.I need to know how many trays we have.”
My mom and I spend the next fifteen minutes freezing our butts off inside the walk-in, but I’m pleased with the results.
It’s bad, but not as dire as I initially thought it might be.My two assistant bakers really came through this week while I was in the middle of wedding hoopla.
I need ten thousand cookies in the next three days.Busy, but doable.
Mom follows me out of the freezer.“So, I assume you got married last night?”
“In Reno.By a Sasquatch and a woman dressed up like a winter fairy.”
She hugs me, her eyes sparkling.“That sounds like a story your father will want to hear as well.You know we never cared for Nicholas, but he seemed to make you happy.”
Seemed to.“I don’t regret not marrying him, Mom.Rygar is—” I close my eyes and search for the words that will help my mother understand how I’ve met, married and fallen in love with Rygar in a matter of hours.Nope.Can’t do it.The words won’t come.
My mom just smiles.“He’s handsome, and he can’t take his eyes off you.I like him.”
I roll my eyes and whisper.“Thanks, Mom.”
Julia, one of our employees, stands in the doorway between the kitchen and front counter.“Ah, Madison, sorry to bother you.But could you come help at the counter for a few minutes until Rachel gets back from lunch.”
I sigh.“Sure thing, I’ll be right out.”
“Your dad and I can help, too.”
My Dad appears at her shoulder as if summoned by magic.“Yeah, I think we can leave Rygar working on the fridge.Capable young man.”High praise, coming from Dad.Guess Rygar passed the test.
Wonder what my dad would say if I told him Rygar is eighty-seven years old.
