Page 70 of A Taste of Whiskey
“When are we decorating?” Doc asked as he roasted a marshmallow.
“Friday afternoon,” Dare answered. “The wedding tent will be delivered and set up Wednesday afternoon, and the tables and chairs and such are arriving Thursday.”
The ceremony was taking place in the big barn, where Billie had first kissed Dare when they were kids. Since there would be close to one hundred and fifty attendees with their extended families and Dare’s fellow Dark Knights, the reception would be held in an enormous wedding tent on the grounds.
They talked about wedding preparations, Dare and Billie’s honeymoon, Festival on the Green, and when the conversation turned to the Reindeer Ride, Ezra reached over and rubbed Gus’s back, his dark eyes holding Sasha’s. Her heart squeezed, but she was careful not to look at him for too long.
“I started making my elf costume,” Birdie announced. “It’s super cute.”
“You’re making yours?” Bobbie asked.
“I want to be the cutest elf, soyeah,” Birdie said.
“I have news for you, Bird,” Sasha said. “I’m going to be the cutest elf.”
“You wish. Have you seen my legs?” Bobbie asked.
“I’d like to get a closer look at them.” Taz winked.
“Y’all are all wrong. The cutest elf is going to be riding on the back of my bike.” Cowboy leaned over and kissed Sully.
Gus’s head popped up. “I wanna be an elf. Can I be an elf, Daddy?”
“You sure can,” Ezra said.
“We’ll make you the cutest costume, Gusto,” Sasha promised. She loved the idea of making costumes together and dressing like a sexy elf for Ezra. Even if he was the only one who would know she was doing it for him.
“I’m gonna be the cutest elf!” Gus exclaimed, making everyone laugh.
“I think we should have a contest for the best elf costume,” Alice suggested.
“Yes!” Birdie exclaimed. “I love that idea.”
“Me too. Is it okay if I do it, too?” Simone asked.
“Of course,” Wynnie said. “You’re one of us.”
“I’m in! How about you, Billie?” Bobbie asked.
Billie tossed her long dark hair over her shoulder and said, “I’ll be baddest elf you’ve ever seen.”
Hyde held up his beer. “I would like to offer my services to judge this contest.”
“I think we need more eyes than just yours. I would be happy to be a judge,” Rebel said.
“I’m in, too, but fair warning,” Taz said. “We might need to do some hands-on judging.”
“My ass you will,” Manny said.
“Manny said a bad word,” Gus announced.
“Sorry, little man,” Manny said. “Sometimes you’ve got to use a bad word to make a point.”
“Oh,” Gus said, and rested his head on Sasha’s shoulder again.
“Hey, girls, do you want to make our costumes together?” Sasha asked.
“It’s acontest,” Birdie said, as if she’d asked a dumb question. “Nobody’s seeing my costume until the day of the ride.”
