He smiled. "I can talk to Ash on the phone."
And just like that, the door was open, and people started coming inside. It was Jen Sutter first, and she was anxious to see how I liked everything.
Given the circumstances of the wedding, the whole process did not take a long time. It was late in the evening, and my sister had been on the road for so long. You would never know it to look at her, though. She was walking on clouds.
I was so happy for her, and I felt peaceful and content with her new surroundings. They said some short vowels to each other, and then music played through a speaker while we hung out and shared some drinks and desserts, celebrating the happy couple.
I had a short speech worked up, which I delivered while we were all hanging out. I hadn't planned on mentioning the Bible, but that part of it just came to me. I said more than I thought I would, and my words caused my sister to cry some whichcaused me to cry, too. We hugged, and it was wonderful, and I truly felt thankful that she gave me that gift on this day. It made everything sweeter and easier and more wonderful.
My dad gave a speech after that, which had my sister crying even more.
And then Josh, Henry's best friend, made a speech that was basically roasting Henry, and it had everyone cracking up. When Josh was finished speaking, someone turned the music back up, and we all started talking to each other again.
Sam was standing with Judd and Ash when I walked up to them. He and I had made some eye contact during the ceremony, but I hadn't spoken to him alone since everyone came in.
I approached them, trying not to make it obvious that I was anxious to be next to him. He looked like Mister California in that sweater. His blue eyes sparkled, and I did my best to stifle the biggest cheesy grin that threatened to cover my face as I walked up to him.
They were in the middle of a conversation about the movie Sam was doing next—the one Ash was going to audition for.
"What song did you use to audition?" Ash asked Sam.
"I just played and sang a Nirvana song since the band in the movie is grunge," Sam said. "He had me do a few other songs once the casting was close. I'm warning you right now that he's going to want to meet you in person. You'll have to go to L.A. to let him see you perform and act in person before he commits."
"I totally understand," Ash said, with a thankful nod as Sam looked at me.
"Judd and I were talking about making other plans for the night, but it would involve you," Sam said.
"Sure, anything, whatcha got?"
"We'll need a ride to Missoula tomorrow morning."
"Yeah, of course, what's going on?" I said casually, since Judd and Ash were standing there listening to us.
"Judd and I were talking about staying the night on the ranch. Josh mentioned target shooting. He used to take us out to do that when we were filming."
I nodded because I remembered that.
"So, we're going to wake up early and go out to no man's land with Josh."
"Like with guns?" I asked as if that were the interesting part of what he was saying. I was reeling from the knowledge that he was staying the night on the ranch. Mentally, I was jumping up and down right then.
Judd nodded, answering my question. "Josh has pistols and a crossbow," Judd said.
"We're all supposed to meet at that restaurant at ten in the morning," Sam said. "We'll need to leave here by nine. Is that too early? You'd be the one with the car. Maybe you can hang out with us in Missoula tomorrow."
"Yeah, no, we can figure all that out. But yeah, no problem. We can take my dad's rental in the morning. He's already offered it. Leave here at nine? Will that give you enough time to go shooting?"
"We're meeting him at eight," Judd said, looking around the room in an excited way. "He said the sun's not up till then. I've got to find Josh and tell him we're on. Yes, bro. Did you check with Mrs. Sutter about sleeping?"
"Yeah, she's hooking us up," Sam said, nodding. He looked at me.
Judd said something to Ash, and I stayed focused on Sam.
"Anyway, I'm glad you can give us a ride," he said, since people were still all around us.
"Me too. Yeah, like I said, I'm happy you guys are staying. I'm glad I'll get to hang out with you guys."
"Do you want to come shooting in the morning?"
