It's sweet that it's him. He was the first of the brothers that she spoke to. The one who's flirting ended in a relationship that is now permanent. As they say their vows, a hush spreads across the congregation. Karter rests his hand on his brother's shoulder, and then Holden and Harris do the same. Kane is saying the words, but they are meant by all of them.
And it couldn't be more beautiful.
Afterward, we gather in the marquee that's been set up on the grounds of the small community hall in Hope Springs. The wedding organizer has done a fabulous job of turning the low-key venue into something really special. The chairs are covered in white slips with powder-blue bows. The tables are overflowing with huge displays of wildflowers. There's a cupcake in a box on each place setting with a thank you from the bride and grooms. The caterers have set up the food at a buffet table in the corner, and it looks amazing.
"See," Holden says, nudging me. "I told you everything would be fine."
"The proof of the pudding is in the eating," I reply.
"Did someone say eating?" Sawyer says.
"He's always first at the buffet," Scott says with a roll of his eyes. "He has absolutely no restraint."
"I don't think you should go there," Cary says. "You were hardly the model of patience last night."
Scott has the decency to blush at the way he practically tackled his brothers out of the way in the bedroom last night, and I snigger at their back-and-forth. I love listening to my men tease each other and laugh it off. It proves how close their bond is every day.
Before I can follow Sawyer as he blazes a trail toward the food, there's a tap on my shoulder.
"There you are," Connie says, tugging me into a perfumed hug. Her make-up is so natural, but there is still something special there that makes her glow. Maybe it's just cleverly placed blusher, or maybe it's the internal radiance that comes with being a bride.
"You look stunning," I say. "Just perfect."
"I feel amazing," she gushes. "It's like every one of my dreams has come true. Honestly, I didn't know saying a few words in front of friends and family would make everything feel so different, but it has." She glances over my shoulder at where my men are gathered, talking with their other first cousins, Max, Mason, and Miller. I swear there is something in the DNA of that family that forges only men. "Anyway, it'll be you next," she whispers.
"It will," I say, showing her my very pretty engagement ring.
"Oh my God!" she squeals, holding up my hand to survey the sparkling stones. "I can't believe you kept that a secret. Especially as I was instrumental in all of this." Connie waves her hand around to encompass me, my men, and her best friend Natalie too. It would seem that Connie enjoys her role as matchmaker. "You're just lucky I left you to it and didn't drag my friend Sandy in as competition."
"I am. Where is Sandy? Half of me feels like I should apologize for intercepting her men."
"There were never hers," Connie laughs. "I knew from the moment I saw y'all together that they were yours. You just didn't know it yourself yet. Anyway, poor Sandy's car broke down on route, so she's going to miss the whole thing. She's holed up in a small town about three hours away."
"Oh no. Poor Sandy."
"She's devastated to be missing your special cheese. I gave her some the last time we were together, and she hasn't stopped raving about it. In fact, I think she passed some on to her friend who's a food buyer."
"She did what?"
"She passed your cheese onto a buyer. I swear, Melanie. It's so good it needs to be in grocery stores everywhere."
"I don't have the capacity to produce it on that scale," I say as my chest tightens.
"Not yet, you don't," Connie winks. "Anyway, I need to work my way around all of these guests, but I just wanted to thank you in person for making my dreams come true with the food." She kisses my cheek and squeezes my upper arms, then turns and disappears into the crowd in a puff of powder blue.
"What was all that about?" Scott says.
"Connie's friend has put the cheese forward to a major buyer."
"Well, that's it," he laughs. "You're going to be a cheese mogul, and then you won't be interested in us lowly ranchers anymore."
"Firstly, I have no idea what a cheese mogul is, and secondly, I think you're forgetting something."
"Oh yeah! What's that."
I flash my ring finger in front of his place. "You're kind of stuck with me now."
He grabs me, pulling me into a fierce hug before pressing a hard kiss onto my forehead. "No, baby. You're stuck with us."