“When did you get so smart?” I whisper, emotion keeping my voice quiet.
Billie grins up at me. “Well, I had this really wise older brother.”
I smile at her before we turn our attention to the ceremony. From our spot on the hill, we have a perfect view of the part of the meadow we’d cleared for the ceremony. Like Tally’s cake, flowers from all over the farm trickle down to the clearing to where the white chairs—decorated with wildflowers—are set up, a cascade of daffodils and tulips lining the walkway to make the entire space seem as though itis part of the flowering farm. A genius idea my sister had and that Gail and Penny helped her make happen this morning while Tally worked on the cake.
Golden fairy lights twinkle from the green foliage as a little boy runs down the aisle screaming for his mama, much to the amusement of all the guests. The groom rushes after him, lifting him up in the air and flying him past the line of groomsmen, who are clearly all hockey players. They stand, each of them oversized with a black eye or two and big smiles. Each of the guys fist-bumps the toddler and then the groom hands him off to an older man sitting in the front row.
Apparently the couple were married right after they had their son, but the groom wanted a bigger celebration so Hannah agreed to this ceremony. It’s sweet that he’s the more excited one. I think in a different life, if I’d been raised differently, if Billie didn’t need me the way she had, I could have been like that. And when I spot Tally standing in the meadow, a pretty smile on her face as she catches me staring, it’s easy to imagine that maybe I still can be.
CHAPTER 43
Tally
“If you get cake in my hair, I will murder you, Daniel Hall!” the bride shrieks as her husband plays airplane with a piece of cake.
“Is it weird seeing someone destroy what you worked so hard to make?” Walker asks.
“No. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone enjoy something I’ve fed them.” I lick my lips and my eyes widen. “You going to try my cake, Cowboy?”
He smiles knowingly. “You know I love your cake.”
I lean into him and we laugh, and God, does it feel good to just relax with this man. Between getting the farm ready for the Daffodil Festival and preparing for this vow renewal, these last few weeks have been extremely stressful. Especially for Walker, who I know takes everything personally. But standing here now, I feel like we’ve accomplished something amazing. My father would be so proud.
The party gets rowdier as the night wears on. Because boy, these hockey players can drink. I’m surprised, seeing as they’re still in season, but apparently they’re all enjoying their night off. My favorite moment, however, is when the bride and groom head to the dance floor with their son between them, rocking back and forth as their friends surround them and sing the lyrics to “Adore You” by Harry Styles.
They’re just about to start the family dances when Walker grabs my hand and tugs.
“What’s up?”
“Come with me. Our sisters have this part covered,” he tells me.
My heart races when I realize Walker’s taking me away right as the father-daughter dance is about to start. This man. He leads me toward the wildflower field, and I shake my head, pulling his arm backward. “What are we doing out here? We can’t get naked while a wedding is going on! People will see us!”
He chuckles. “I was thinking maybe you’d like to dance with me.”
I hide my face in his chest as he pulls me toward him and we sway in time to the music.
“Did you have a good time today?”
Chin on his chest, I smile up at him dreamily. “The best.”
He presses a kiss to my nose, and my cheeks pink.
“You know someone might see us,” I warn him.
He shrugs. “Couldn’t care less.”
“Because you like me?” I don’t know why I’m so nervous to ask him. Of course he likes me. But my question is loaded, and we both know it.
Walker pushes a golden lock of hair behind my ear and cups my cheek.
“Fuck, Tal, I more than like you.” He traces a finger across my jaw, and the feel of it sends an electric current through my body and straight to my heart. “I’m crazy about you, and the thought of you leaving and meeting someone else …”
I turn into him and rest my palm on his jawline, tweakinghis chin to force him to look at me. “I’ve never dated anyone but you. And I think I make you happy.” My fingers smooth over his rough skin, my thumb coaxing him to relax. “That you smile more when you’re around me.” His eyes soften. “Maybe most people wouldn’t call this dating, but it’s the most real relationship I’ve ever experienced.”
Something sparks in his eyes. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ve never been happier than I have these last few weeks with you.”
