Libby reached up and smacked his chest. “Mason!” she hissed at him, her cheeks flushing red. He chuckled and pulled her tighter againsthim.
“We’ve set a date for the wedding,” Mason announced, leaning down and kissing Libby on thelips.
“When?” I asked, clapping my hands excitedly. “Please tell me it’s going to be after I’ve had the baby so I can wear a nice dress and not lookenormous!”
“We want to get married right before Christmas,” Libby said with a small smile. “Mia died just before Christmas, and it was a holiday she always loved. This way we’ll have something good to celebrate eachyear.”
“But that’s less than two months away!” Iexclaimed.
“We decided we didn’t want to wait.” Mason dipped his head and kissed Libby. “I can’t wait for Lib to be my wife.” I watched as she gazed up athim.
“You two are so adorable,” my mom said, smiling at them both. “I guess we have a lot to planthen.”
Libby turned to me. “Sav, will you be my maid of honor?” she askedshyly.
“Of course I will! I’m so happy for you, and you too Mason. Do your parentsknow?”
She nodded. “Yeah, they’re going to fly in for Thanksgiving and stay until the wedding. I can’t wait for them to gethere.”
“Is Jack coming as well?” I asked, and she noddedagain.
“He is, but he’s not coming out until the week before the wedding, because of his job.” Libby’s brother was working for an accounting company back in the UK. He’d started working there not long after his traveling had come to anend.
“Congratulations son,” I heard my dad say to Mason as he pulled him in for ahug.
“Thanks Ryan. We were hoping we could get married at the lake, and then maybe have the reception in the barn? It’s going to be a fairly small wedding, just family and close friends.” There was a barn at the back of the guest house where entertainment was put on for the guests who were staying at the ranch during high season. It had been converted a couple of years ago from just a regular barn to a beautiful space full of old rustic charm, and a small bar had been added, along with a dance floor. It would be an ideal place for a weddingreception.
“Of course! We would love for you to get married on the ranch, wouldn’t we Claire?” my dad said, turning to my mom for heropinion.
“Definitely, it’s so exciting!” she gushed. “I think we’ve got some champagne somewhere, I’ll go find it,” she said, rushing out of the sittingroom.
I turned to see Josh and Brody talking to Mason; they were shaking his hand and slapping him on the back. “Mason is asking Brody to be his best man, and Josh to be his groomsman,” Libby said as she came to stand next to me. “I hope having Josh in the wedding party won’t be too hard for you—I really want you to be my maid ofhonor.”
“Libby, short of giving birth, which it’s way too soon for, nothing would stop me from being at your wedding. I can’t wait to be your maid of honor and watch you marry Mason. Josh and I will be fine, I’m just so happy for you Lib.” I took her hand and squeezed it tightly just as my mom came bustling back into the room, a bottle of champagne in herhand.
“Ryan, go grab the glasses, I found the champagne,” she exclaimed, holding the bottle in theair.
“None for me, thanks Mom,” I told her as she began to open thebottle.
“Of course not,” she said, sticking her tongue out at me. My dad returned with the glasses, and once everyone had a drink and my glass was filled with orange juice, my dad led thetoast.
“Libby, you came to us when you were hurt and lost. Mason found you and pieced your heart back together, and anyone who sees you two together can see how much you love each other.” He paused, and I watched as his gaze went from Libby to Mason. Mason pulled Libby into his side and kissed the top of her head. “Mason, we can’t thank you enough for being there for Libby and for loving her. I know I speak for everyone here as well as Libby’s parents when I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.” He raised his glass, and I glanced around the room as everyone else raised theirs. “To Libby andMason.”
“To Libby and Mason,” echoed around the room, and I lifted my orange juice into the air, tears slipping down my cheeks. I watched as Mason put his glass down and scooped Libby into his arms, kissing her on thelips.
“All right!” my dad exclaimed. “Let’s eat, I’m starving!” I laughed. That was typical of my dad—giving a heartfelt speech one minute then worrying about his stomach the next. I reached up and wiped my eyes as we headed into the dining room. I felt someone touch my arm, and I turned to see Josh behindme.
“You okay?” he asked, looking down at my tear-stainedcheeks.
I nodded. “Happy tears,” I said with a small smile. “They both deserve to be happy, Lib’s been through so much.” I walked off to join the others, not waiting for him toreply.
We spent the rest of the evening eating and planning the wedding. Libby wanted a simple ceremony with no fuss, and with Mason not speaking to his family, there would only be a small number of friends and familyinvited.
“So, when are we going dress shopping Lib?” I asked, bouncing up and down in my seat. “There’s only one bridal store in Marble Falls, but we could always take a trip into Austin. I’m sure there are more stores there, and you’re up for a girls shopping day in Austin, aren’t you Mom?” I asked, looking over towardher.
“Sure, count me in,” shereplied.
“I thought I might just get a normal dress. It doesn’t have to be from a bridal shop,” Lib said, and I turned to look at her, my eyes wide withsurprise.