Page 195 of Little Sunshine

“Love the little knots, sunshine.”

“I thought you would,” I forced out past the ache in my chest at seeing such a big, powerful man kneel to help me put on the delicate shoes. “Thanks.”

“Want to know how you can thank me?” he asked, dragging his rough fingertips up my calf as he stood.

I was desperate to know. “How?”

“Get your cute ass outside to the creek and marry me.”

I said the only thing there was to say to that.

“Okay, Daddy.”

“How’re you doing, Mrs. Cooper?”

Standing with Ash’s sisters, I was already looking at Violet when she spoke. I saw her own eyes were aimed my way.

But it still didn’t register that she was talking to me.

Not until Emily nudged me. “That’s you now.”

Maggie gestured outside of the tent to where their husbands had a competitive game of cornhole going. “None of us are a Mrs. Cooper anymore. Well, except Mom.”

“But do not call her that,” Andrea put in.

That was a lesson I’d quickly learned.

While we might’ve been moving at lightspeed, none of Ash’s family seemed fazed in the slightest. There’d been no judgment, apprehension, or even simple curiosity from any of them, but especially not from Lynn Cooper.

From the moment she’d stepped out of the RV, she’d insisted I drop any formalities and had been nothing but warm and loving.

It’d kind of freaked me out.

And by kind of, I meant totally.

Belatedly realizing they were still waiting for an answer, I thought about the day.

When Ash and I planned the wedding, I’d told him my one request.

I wanted to get married near the creek that ran through his backyard.

That little piece of undisturbed nature had to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in the entire world. Or at least my world. It was the perfect location for our quick and simple wedding.

Quick?

Yes.

Simple?

Not so much.

I’d had this vague idea that Ash and I would exchange our vows in front of his friends and family, and then everyone would just… do something? Hang out inside. Leave to go visit the more interesting sights.

Maybe order a pizza.

I honestly wasn’t sure since neither family gatherings nor weddings were an area of expertise for me. My focus had just been on the whole getting-married part.

But like the perfect Daddy he was, Ash had handled everything. The ceremony had taken place at the most picturesque part of the creek, under the sun and blue sky. Closer to the house, a canopy tent had been set up for a reception with food, drinks, music, yard activities, and about a billion twinkle lights.

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