“That’s my girl.” He places me back on my feet. “I’ll be waiting.” He smacks my ass, and I let out a small yelp and smack him back on the chest.
“Watch it.” I glare at him.
“I’m always watching it.” He winks at me as I turn to go.
I spot my mom and Julie outside my shop waiting for me. “Mom, you asked Tidas about grandkids?” I say when I get close enough for only her to hear me.
“Yes, that’s a great idea!” Julie agrees. “You need to do that so then we can have babies together.”
“I think y’all are getting ahead of yourselves. Tidas and I have only been dating a few weeks.” I unlock the shop and let them in.
“Wait till you see this dress, Hannah,” Julie says, ignoring my comment. “Come on.” She grabs my hand, pulling me toward the back of the store.
“Put it on, honey. I want to see,” Mom pushes. Emotions start to overwhelm me when Julie grabs the dress and brings it over to the fitting room. “Are you okay, Valerie? You’re a little pale.” Mom raises her hand to touch my forehead.
I throw my hand over my mouth before I turn and rush to the bathroom. I barely make it in time, but when I’m finished, my mom hands me a towel to wipe my mouth.
“How long did you say you and Tidas have been”—Julie holds up her fingers and does air quotes—“dating?”
“Oh my goodness.” Mom smiles.
Another wave of emotions hits me, and I throw up once more.
Chapter Eighteen
TIDAS
The stage is set and the people entering the sewing competition have lined up next to it. I strain my neck searching for Valerie and check my watch for the fifth time.
“Where is she?” I mumble to myself as one of the judges, Alma, makes an announcement.
“Looks like we’re waiting for one more,” she tells the growing crowd.
Everything is set up and ready to go. On the stage is a giant arch decorated with dried corn, dark flowers, and maple leaves. There are hay bales in place with townspeople sitting on them and Alma is dressed as an old timey priest. Most of this I kept secret from Valerie because I wanted it to be a surprise. It was hell keeping her clear of this all day while they set up, but I know she’ll love it when she finally sees it.
Tradition is so important to her, and so is the town of Hollow Oak. In keeping with that, I designed this whole day around her. Everything I’ve done has been for her, and hopefully when she finally gets her cute ass out here, it will be worth it.
“Here she comes,” Gracie says from beside me.
It took her help to get Valerie’s parents here today, and even mine were tough to track down so last second. The hard part was getting Donovan off his property, and I’m still not sure if he showed up or not. Whether he comes or not is not my biggest concern right now; it’s making sure my girl is happy.
Finally when the crowd parts, I see Valerie coming toward me in the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. She looks breathtaking, and I have to put my hand over my chest so my heart doesn’t explode. She’s utterly perfect, and if I wasn’t already in love with her, one look at her like this and I’d be done for.
When she sees me standing on the stage, there’s something in her eyes that’s hesitant, and I take a few steps towards her to grab her hand and help her climb the stairs.
“Tidas, what are you doing?” she whispers as she leans into me.
“You’ll see.”
We take the stage, and Alma calls for everyone to have a seat on their hay bales. “Thank you all for coming today. This means so much to the bride and groom.”
“Bride and groom?” Val looks over at me. “What’s she talking about?”
“We’re doing a reenactment.” I pat her hand. “Just play along.”
“Oh, okay.” Her brows furrow like she’s confused but then shrugs. “I guess the sewing competition is afterwards?”
“Sure,” I answer and pat her hand.
Gracie comes up beside me and hands Valerie a bouquet of flowers as she and Julie step to the side. Her parents move to the other side and sit next to mine. Valerie looks at them and then at me, and her eyes widen.
“Tidas.” There’s a hint of panic in her voice, but I just smile as Alma keeps reading from the script. “Tidas,” she says again, this time in a low voice. “What is happening?”
“Do you have the rings?” Alma turns to ask me, and I nod.
“Here, I got one for you too,” I say and place the larger gold band in her hand. Taking her fingers, I slide on the emerald cut solitaire and then the simple gold band after.