“I’m thrilled she told me the truth,” he says. “I’ve never been prouder of you, son, or more ashamed of myself.”
He turns around and faces his family. “I need to tell y’all the truth. About why Logan was engaged to Gigi.”
When my father’s finished telling Mama and my siblings what happened, a moment of silence follows as everyone stares at Logan and me.
“Holy shit,” Riley finally says. “In a million years, I wouldn’t have guessed that was the reason you were engaged to that New Yorker, Logan. But I like the reason a hell of a lot more than I thought I would.”
Ben shakes Logan’s hand. “I was so pissed at you all summer. I thought you’d really screwed up. I’m happy to know the truth.”
“Me too,” Free says as she puts her arm around me.
Mama’s face is ashen. Then, it turns red. Then, purple for a brief moment.
Who knew there could be so many temporary shades of colors to a human being?
She slaps Daddy across the face and then hurls her body at Logan. He catches her as she mumbles her thanks.
But she’s not finished. With a gasp, she comes for me.
She lands in my arms, her weight nearly pushing me to the ground.
As I’m trying to peel her off me, she says quietly, “He’s a real man, Macey. Just like Mr. Darcy was. A real heroic man with a great heart. I’m so happy for you, baby.”
Daddy takes her into his arms then and whispers, and whispers, and whispers, into her ear. After several minutes of this, Mama plants a kiss on Daddy’s lips. And then, another.
“We can’t stay,” I say. “But we wanted to come by and invite y’all to The Cowherd tonight. There’s going to be a July fourth wedding there after all!”
Mama gives one more attempt at a scream, but it’s all too much for her. She faints right on the spot, and if Daddy wasn’t there to catch her, she may have been in some trouble. But he saves her from a nasty concussion, and by the time we leave, she’s conscious and babbling again about this being the very best Independence Day ever.
“I can’t choose between the two of you for maiden of honor,” I say to Riley and Free. “So you’ll be my two best bridesmaids and Ginny will be the maiden.”
I take Logan’s hand in mine, and we leave the yard quietly.
“Told you not to say anything,” he says to me once we’re safely inside his truck.
“I know. I just didn’t feel right having you shoulder that burden for the rest of your life. It was my father’s sin, not yours.”
His eyes are warm and clear as he looks at me. “I understand. But I was okay. I don’t need to be a hero in this crazy town. I only want to be your hero.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. You’ve always been my hero, Logan.”
Ginny cries so loudly when I stop by her house to tell her the good news I have to remind her it’s supposed to make her smile, not cry.
“It’s the hormones!” She hugs me. “This is so the way it was supposed to be. You and Logan at the chapel, exchanging vows!” She chews her lip. “Oh, no. What are you doing about rings?”
“I’m going to wear this as my wedding band.” I hold out my hand with the ruby ring on it. “And I’m giving Logan back the bull ring. We can always buy new rings later on if we really want to.”
“That’s perfect,” Ginny says, and she relaxes. Then, she chews on her lip again. “Where are y’all going to live?”
“Well, since renting my duplex costs money, and Logan’s cottage on the ranch is pennies in comparison, we’ll live there until we find the right home. I hope I can handle living on the ranch. I’m not used to parents being so close by.”
“It’ll fly by,” Ginny assures me. “You’re in the honeymoon phase—all you’ll be focusing on is each other.”
I remember last night with Logan, and I can’t hide my smile.
“So what exactly happened between him and Gigi?” Ginny asks. “Did he give you the whole story?”
“Oh, he did. And what a story it is.” And then, because I know my father’s about to make a big announcement of his own at the church, I tell her everything.
