Page 34 of A Week To Wed
All the people in Darling Creek showed up for this wedding. People I have been casual acquaintances with. People I would never assume were friends but who consider me a friend. People I never thought I cared much for, but it turns out they care for Maisy and me a great deal.
I might still have opinions about how my father held the ranch over my head to compel me to get married, but if it weren’t for him, I would never have met Maisy.
Meeting her changed my life for the better.
Speaking of bettering myself, I check my watch: almost nine o’clock.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have to flag down Pastor Joan for the main event.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
Maisy
I’m giddy from listening to my groom tell my parents the biggest whopper I’ve ever heard in my life.
We’re walking the perimeter, looking for any sign of Pastor Joan.
“Saying that we met at Meemaw’s ranch was a nice touch,” I tease.
Lincoln chuckles. “If you don’t blow my cover, I won’t tell anyone you waited until last night to invite your parents.”
I wince. “Deal.”
Harley and Ray are sauntering over from the house, looking slightly peaked.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking between both of them.
Ray stutters. “It seems no one can find Pastor Joan.”
Deep breaths, Maisy. Deep, deep breaths. I’m not going to go all Bridezilla at this moment. I refuse. “You mean, she’s lost somewhere, here at the ranch?”
Harley shakes his head gravely.
“What, she’s not at home? At the church? Did she forget?” Remembering our conversation, I don’t know how she could have forgotten. But you never know.
Ray just shrugs. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright; give me a minute to think.” I hear Harley and Ray quickly retreat, and Lincoln rests a hand on my arm.
“Sweetheart, it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. I just need a minute to think.”
“Maisy. Open your eyes.”
“Lincoln.”
“Maisy. Open your eyes and look at me.”
Reluctantly, I do as I’m told. Lincoln now stands in front of me. “Baby. I love you. No matter what happens with the ranch, I love you. Fuck the will, and fuck the marriage clause. Let’s enjoy the party tonight and figure out the rest later.”
I can barely speak with a massive knot of emotion in my throat, and my voice cracks. “The ranch…everything you’ve done … everything you’ve worked for. I can’t let you throw it all away because I messed up.”
He shakes his head and fiercely kisses my forehead. “You didn’t mess up. You did something amazing. Look at this place? Look at all these people! I never thought they’d forgive me for all the trouble I caused back in the day. But you know what George from the pharmacy told me tonight? He said, ‘Shoot, Lincoln, nobody liked that statue of Otis Darling, anyway. Pretty sure he was a real prick. You did us a favor.’”
And now, I’m laughing and crying at the same time. “That doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to lose the ranch.”
He pulls me in close and murmurs in my ear. “Just because I don’t drink anymore doesn’t mean we can’t get the executors drunk as skunks.”
