Logan stops at the red light. “Sum it up, Mace. I don’t want to feel like she’s here in the car with us.”
“Right. So now that Mama knows I’m not going to Florida, she wants me to stop by their house for an alcohol-free barbecue this afternoon to celebrate my birthday.” I look over at him. “Do you want to show up at the Henwood den and invite them to our wedding tonight?”
“As soon as we change and get our marriage license in place.”
“By the way, I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided to hyphenate my name with yours,” I say to him. “So call me independent or whatever, but that’s my final offer.”
“Macey Henwood-Wild,” Logan says, trying it out. “They sound damn good together.”
I squeeze his hand. “Yes, they do.”
I put my bare feet up on the dashboard and check my email next. I have one that was sent yesterday evening.
The agent who asked for my manuscript is offering me representation.
I turn to Logan with a scream. “Oh, my God!”
He grins and leans over to kiss me as we pull into my driveway.
* * *
I change into a sundress, and then we go to Logan’s cottage. He’s just changed when we run into his parents coming up the front walk.
Mr. Wild looks startled to see us. “I was just coming to deliver a message. The Austin gallery called the house and said they want to see more of your paintings.”
Logan stares at him.
“A whole show.” His father’s face beams with pride. “It’s set for next month. Your West Texas landscapes.”
“See, baby.” Logan turns to me with a grin. “That trip did even more than we thought.”
I smile and take his hand. “You’ve got a new career.”
We turn to his parents, who are looking at us very curiously.
“This time, everything feels right.” Logan puts his arm around me. “Are you both free tonight? I hear there’s a kick-ass wedding happening at The Cowherd.”
Mrs. Wild throws her arms around Logan and then me. “I’m so happy it’s you,” she whispers in my ear. “Little Lo is getting married for real!”
“So round up Reid, Ty, and Jesse, and tell them to get their best usher suits ready tonight at seven,” Logan says. “Rather than have them fight over who’ll be the best man, I’m going to ask Blake. Luke will be pissed to miss it, but I’m not going to ask my Montana cousins to have to get here this short-notice. We’ll celebrate with them later.”
When Mr. Wild takes me aside, I’m so surprised at the tears in his eyes that I don’t know what to say to him.
But he speaks first. “I’m happy Logan got the heck out of Florida. Marriage is hard enough without throwing in a kink like that.”
“Yes. And thank you, Mr. Wild, for helping Logan to find a different solution. I had no idea what he was up to. And to keep the whole thing quiet to make things easier for my parents is so kind of you and your wife. My daddy’s getting off easy for this. But I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“Everyone makes mistakes. Especially fathers.” Mr. Wild puts his arm around my shoulder and lowers his voice. “Ever since you and Logan were small, the way you always were together…and how he looked at you like the sun rose and set over your sweet head.” He clears his throat. “He deserves love. Even if I couldn’t give it to him right.”
I reach out and hug him.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Mayor Huggins is more relaxed by the time we arrive at his home than he was on the phone. He’s already contacted his assistant, who drove over with all the necessary paperwork. And he has a grand plan: the entire chapel of guests, wedding party included, go down to the town square after the ceremony, “So everyone can enjoy the July fourth fireworks together.”
“That sounds nice,” I say slowly. “Eerily reminiscent of Ginny’s wedding—but nice.”
Mayor Huggins interrupts me. “That was all her mother’s stupid idea, to set off fireworks a week early.” He harrumphs. “I think that’s probably what cursed them. You can’t pretend it’s Independence Day when it’s not. Can you?”
