“Finn must have hit a nerve,” I say.
“Time!”Dad yells, looking at his watch.“I have to get the ribs going and you boys need to get your asses downstairs.You don’t want Summer to walk out before you’re in place, Declan.”
We hop to, running down the stairs like a stampede.When we reach the living room, my brothers head for the back deck.Phyllis yanks me to the side.
“Your surprise is here.It’s been a helluva trick trying tokeepit a surprise.I have to tell you that I’m a little on edge right now.It’s all I can do not to run around screaming.”
“Get ahold of yourself, Phyllis.But thank you, because that’s the reaction I want from Summer, too.”
“Oh, you’ll get it, no doubt about it.Anyway, your surprise is in the kitchen with her assistants.They’re eating coffee cake and the leftover cinnamon rolls, but you need to get this show on the road before I run out of baked goods.”
“Got it.Can you herd everyone to the back?”I ask her.“They listen to you.”
“Absolutely.”
Everyone assembles.Dad is manning the barbecue and everyone else is standing with a beer in their hands.All told—with the ranch hands, Phoebe and her mom and two of her brothers, and Phyllis’s son from her first marriage and his family—we’re close to forty people.
Summer didn’t want anything as formal as best men or bridesmaids, but she wanted all the people she loves around her, and she specifically asked for Special K to give her away and be the ring bearer while he was at it.He seemed puzzled when she made the requests.
“Why would you want that?”he asked her.
“Because I love you, dipshit,” she said, smacking him on the back of the head.
I take a deep breath and get into position under the eucalyptus tree, where we’ve constructed a makeshift pergola.
I see the officiant peek her blond head out the sliding door and give me a wink.I give her a thumbs up and watch her slip her requested accessory into place.Her security team is scanning the ranch, on the lookout for threats, though I can’t imagine what they’re worried about out here unless it’s bobcats and brown bears.
Summer appears from around the side of the house.In one hand she clutches a few wild daisies.With the other she drags a reluctant Special K behind her.She walks toward me in her jeans, boots, and a white cotton peasant blouse.Her face glows and her smile is bright.Her long, thick hair shines in the light of this April afternoon.
She comes to stand by my side, and I slip my arm around her waist and lay a kiss on her.
“Holy shitballs!”Jasmine screams.“Is that… is she…it’s Beyoncé!”
Summer looks up at me and shakes her head with irritation.“Are you kidding me right now, Declan?We’ve already done the Beyoncé thing.”She shouts over her shoulder.“Thanks for coming but it’s not gonna happen!Feel free to stay for the barbecue, though!”
I hear a lot of gasping and confused whispers as our officiant makes her way down the deck’s back steps.She clicks along the flagstone walk on extremely high heels, making her way to our informal altar, a cordless microphone dangling from her elegant hand.
Victoria lets go with a high-pitched squeak.Phoebe tells Evander that she’s going to pass out.Finn lectures Jasmine about not using foul language.
“But,Daaaaaad!Can’t you see it’sBeee-yon-saaaay?”
I chuckle to myself.Summer looks like she’s about ready to reach up and twist my nose right off my face.She’s kept her back turned to all the commotion, and I have to admire her refusal to play along.
But then there’s a swish of fabric.A hint of some seriously expensive perfume wafts on the breeze.And our majestic special guest takes her position before us, sparkling gold lame and shimmering chiffon from head to toe.
And wearing the mask, just as I’d requested.
Summer peers up at our officiant, trying to piece it together.Then Beyoncé removes the face mask and hands it to one of her security detail.
Summer’s face collapses in shock.Her eyes pop wide, and her lips part.The daisies fall to the flagstone.I’ve never seen her like this—completely unable to form words.
No matter how much this appearance has set me back, it’s worth every damn penny.
“You ready, sweetie?”Beyoncé bestows her superstar smile upon my trembling wife.She reaches out for Summer’s hand and gives it a squeeze.
“You’rereal,” Summer whispers.“I mean, you’reher.The actual Beyoncé.”
“That’s me, honey,” she says.“Now, you ready to put a ring on it?Because I’ve got to be on stage at the Sphere in two hours.Oh!Hold on.”Beyoncé leans in to listen to something being whispered by one of her bodyguards.
