Page 91 of The Wombat Wingman

OK, this is why my mother had urged me to wear waterproof mascara, because my eyes were filling with tears. I beamed up at him, clutching my bouquet far too tightly, before delivering my own vows.

“Troy, I didn’t come to Australia looking for forever. My life felt like it was falling apart, but you put me right back together without even trying. You showed me that love isn’t loud promises or grand declarations. It’s checking my boots for spiders.” That had the crowd muttering. “Or taking out snakeswith a throw of a knife. It’s standing between me and anything that could hurt me, even when I’m sure I can handle it.”

My hands gripped his.

“You’re more stubborn than a wombat.”

“Got that right…” Billy mumbled, then winked at me.

“But you showed me that softer side you rarely let the world see, and I was hooked.”

Blinking furiously, I tried to forge on.

“I promise to love the man who carries too much on his shoulders, to remind you that you don’t have to carry it alone. I promise to be brave with you, laugh with you, and share every single sunrise together. I promise that no matter what challenges we face, I will always choose you.”

“The rings?” the celebrant said.

“OK, Nugget, now’s your time to shine.” Charlie pulled away from the dais, retrieving a familiar furry ball from the cab of the tractor. My family oohed and ahhed at the sight of him, but when she set him down, she straightened a white ribbon that had been tied around the animal’s neck. “Nugget…” she growled as he went to amble off away from the wedding. “Nugget!”

“On it.”

Bronson stepped forward, pulling a bunch of carrots from his jacket and brandishing them in front of the wombat. Nugget stopped, eyed the prize, and then cheerfully trotted up the aisle and towards us.

“You little furry bast—” Troy stopped himself, looking back at my family, then at me, before passing the rings to the celebrant.

“I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” he said, after the rings were exchanged.

“C’mere, Mrs. Drysdale.”

Troy swept me into a deep bow, kissing me before the crowd and their responses had the wombat turning and trotting off towards a stand of trees, the bunch of carrots in his jaws.

“Nugget’s got his carrots and I’ve got you.” His arm went around my waist. “Ready to get this party started?”

“With you?” I asked. “Always.”

Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would, but what happens instead? It can be so much better than what you had planned, especially with a wombat as your wingman.