Drivingover the bridge on the way into Kenzie’s hometown, it was clear something was up. Flags were festively attached to all the posts.
“What’s with all the decorations?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” she answered, and abruptly changed the subject. “I’m so excited to see my family.”
Her face was alive with joy, and as always when I looked at her nowadays, I quaked a little inside. Every cute little thing she did gave me that strange tingling feeling. Although I’d been slow to recognize what it was, now I understood. I was in love. The only thing left was to tell her. For whatever reason, the time never seemed right. And the longer it went, the more nervous I became. How hard could it be to utter three little words? I loved her; yet I kept it to myself, waiting for something… although I wasn’t sure what.
I watched out the window as we drove the long road into town. Flags and ribbons also adorned the countryside. It seemed they were having some event. That would be fun. Maybe it was a fair. Then it hit me. I turned to Kenzie.
“No!” I blurted out dramatically. “Please tell me… oh, god, Kenzie. Could it be?”
The smile on her face was as wide as it could get. Her eyes sparkled as she nodded her head joyfully.
“But you said it was in June.”
“I lied.” Kenzie grinned.
“Oh, my god!” I screamed, slapping my hands on the ceiling of the truck.
“What is your problem?” Jake asked irritably. “You’re going to cause an accident.”
“It’s Udder’s Day!” I sang out. “It’s frickin’ Udder’s Day. Kenzie, you’ve just made me the happiest man alive.”
* * *
Iseriously could not have beenmore excited to experience Udder’s Day for myself and was feeling like a kid at Christmas. Since Kenzie revealed its existence to me all those months ago, Udder’s Day had become a running joke of ours. I swear I knew all the ins and outs of this unique festival.
We pulled into the driveway of her one-story Victorian-style home.
“Ahh, this is cute, Kenz,” Casey complimented. “This whole town is so cool, like going back in time.”
“Yeah, it’s back in time, all right,” Kenzie answered, clearly not as impressed as we were. I could hardly blame her. As fun as it was to visit, I wouldn’t want to grow up here either. I needed a little more action than this place had to offer. And besides, when I was home from tour, I had a strict rule that wherever I lived needed to be within a seven-mile radius of a Taco Bell.
Kenzie’s dad, Bruce, and her siblings came out of the house when we pulled up. Aside from meeting them briefly at the final taping, we hadn’t seen each other since Kenzie and I had gotten together. And we certainly hadn’t seen each other since I’d moved in with his daughter. I wasn’t sure how much her dad would appreciate that little tidbit. Nervously, I stepped out of the car and was all ready to greet her family when I saw where their eyes were focused… on Jake, and they were sufficiently awed.
“Did you not tell them he was coming?” I asked.
“No. I knew they wouldn’t be able to keep a secret, and then the whole town would have shown up… you think I’m kidding but I’m not.”
Kenzie jumped out of the truck to facilitate the introductions.
“Guys,” she called out. No one turned to her. “Guys!” she shouted a bit louder, shocking them from their trance. “This is Jake and his fiancée, Casey. Be nice and close your mouths. You all look like Venus fly traps.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jake stepped forward, extending his hand.
“Oh, geez, sorry, we’re being rude,” Bruce said, grasping it. “We just, you know, don’t have celebrities visiting very often.”
“What do you mean, Dad? Kanye was here last week,” Colton joked.
We went around doing the introductions before following the Williams into their modest home.
Bruce, still seeming stunned, stammered, “I wasn’t expecting four of you, especially not… uh… you,” he said, staring again at Jake as if he still couldn’t believe his eyes. “We’ll, um, figure out sleeping arrangements.”
“They’re staying at the bed and breakfast,” Kenzie said. “It’ll just be Kyle and me, as planned.”
“Oh, that’s good,” he sighed, and then caught himself. “I didn’t mean you weren’t welcome to stay, I’d just… you know, have to clean the toilet…”
Casey giggled.
