The guests?Already Instagramming the setup like it’s the Met Gala.
And somewhere in the crowd: Sage.
Running point with a clipboard, an earpiece, and wearing a deep green dress that makes her look like a forest goddess, her ruby-hued hair pinned up in a way that makes me think very unceremonious thoughts.
"You're doing it again," Callum notes.
"What?"
"Staring at Sage like you want to eat her."
"I'm admiring her event coordination skills."
"Is that what we're calling it?"Grayson smirks."Because from here it looks like you're planning to defile her behind the altar."
"I would never?—"
"You absolutely would," all three chorus.
Before I can defend my honor, Connor glances at his phone.“Oof.Crisis.Major crisis."
"What now?"Callum sighs.
"Buttercup."
We all turn to stare at him.
"The goat?"I ask."What about her?"
"She's eaten Karina's niece’s ring bearer pillow.The one that's been in her family for generations.The one her grandmother hand-embroidered in Armenia.”
I exhale, straightening my tie.“Of course she has.”
"Karina's trying not to cry, her mother is speaking rapid Armenian that I'm pretty sure includes curses, and the goat looks unrepentant."
"Where's Sage?"I'm already moving toward the door.
"Trying to extract heritage lace from Buttercup's digestive system."
I find them in the getting-ready cottage.
Sage on her knees trying to reason with Buttercup.
Callum’s soon-to-be wife Karina in her wedding dress looking torn between tears and murder.
And Karina's mother gesturing dramatically while switching between two languages.
"—three hundred years this pillow is in our family!Three hundred years!And now is goat food!"
"Buttercup, drop it," Sage pleads."Please.I'll give you anything.Premium alfalfa.Those organic treats you like.My firstborn child."
"Don't promise her children," I say, entering the fray."She'll hold you to it."
Sage looks up, clutching her chest."Thank god.Your goat is committing crimes against Scottish and Armenian heritage."
"Our goat," I correct, crouching beside her."We have joint custody, remember?"
"I want a divorce.I'm keeping the inn, you're keeping the criminal mastermind."
