by Lili Valente
“She would,” Rafe agrees from Dad’s other side. “And she would especially approve of the free pizza and beer.”
“Hey, I paid for the beer,” Dylan says from the end of the line, grinning at me. “But I’m happy to contribute. Zoey’s a keeper, baby brother. And not just a pretend keeper.”
“I know, I…” The rest of my words drift away, banished by a rush of excitement as the door opens and Luke trots out with a basket of flowers in his mouth, accompanied by Dylan’s two-year-old daughter, Mercy, who toddles along beside the dog, throwing petals from the basket onto the ground.
A collective “aw” rises from the friends and family seated in simple white folding chairs on either side of the aisle, followed by a sigh as Zoey steps through the door, looking so stunning she takes my breath away. The dress is a simple cream off-the-shoulder number that falls in soft, flowing waves all the way to the grass. But the simplicity of the design only makes Zoey shine brighter. Her hair is piled on top of her head with pink roses tucked into her curls, her cheeks are flushed the same delicate pink as the petals, and her eyes are such a stunning, clear, sky blue I can’t tear my gaze away from her.
As she walks slowly toward me, laughing as Mercy pauses to put some flower petals on Luke’s head—seeming to think he could use some decoration, too—I see everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ll ever need, right there in her eyes. In her sweet face, her kind heart, and her secretly wild and fearless spirit.
As she comes to stand beside me, the rest of the world fades away. I forget that my family is watching, I forget that this is a performance for our exes, who are very likely spying on us from the other side of the fence. I forget that this is all pretend and that when I go to bed tonight, Zoey won’t truly be mine in the eyes of the law.
But that’s okay.
She’s already mine in all the ways that matter.
I take her hand, holding tight as we turn to Violet, feeling so emotional I’m not surprised that I struggle to get through the first few lines of the vows.
But by the time the rings are on our fingers and Violet invites us to speak a few words, I’ve found my center again.
I gaze down at Zoey and speak straight from the heart, “I used to think that love was a battle to be won, a struggle up a mountain that only the strong and persistent could survive.” I pull in a breath, lips curving. “And then I kissed you, Zoey Childers. And from that moment on…everything was different. Thank you for showing me that love really can be patient and kind, and thank you for your patience with me, during all those months when I was too blind to see the truth right in front of my face. You are my truth, my love, my friend, and the best dog mom around. I don’t know what Luke and I would do without you.” Luke whines in what sounds like agreement, triggering a wave of soft laughter and a few sniffs from the assembled company. “I’m so honored for this opportunity to share my life with you.”
Zoey swallows hard, blinking faster. “Wow. That’s a tough act to follow. But I’ll try.” A smile trembles across her face as her grip tightens on my hands. “They say that the secret to everlasting love is falling for the same person again and again. Over the past few years, I tried to fall out of love with you so many times, Tristan Hunter. I was your employee and your friend and…I thought that’s all we would ever be. But every time I was on the verge of getting my heart back under lock and key, you would do something wonderful or funny or kind, and it would go tumbling out of my chest again.”
I brush my thumbs over the soft skin on the backs of her hands as I mouth, “Thank God.”
She grins, her eyes shining brighter. “Deep down, I think I always knew that we would find our way to each other. But I’m so incredibly happy that the time is now. I’m so glad that I don’t have to wait another day to start the rest of my life with you. I don’t want to waste another day, another minute, away from you or Luke.”
“Even though he’s destroyed hundreds of dollars’ worth of your socks and underwear?” Violet asks, making us all laugh and Zoey nod.
“Yes,” she says, “even if I have to buy new socks every week for the rest of my life, it will be worth it. One hundred percent.”
Violet hums in appreciation. “Amen. Then by the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church and by the state of California, I—”
“Stop! Wait! You can’t marry her!” The shout comes from the other side of the fence, near the orange tree. A moment later, Kim’s blond ponytail and panicked blue eyes appear over the top of the weathered brown boards.
A few shocked gasps sound from our friends and family and someone—I think my sister-in-law, Carrie—says, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” I glance from Kim to Zoey, whose wide eyes and dropped jaw leave no doubt she’s as shocked by this development as I am.
Yes, we wanted to make sure Kim and Bear knew we were tying the knot, and we figured they’d get an eyeful of our Sunday morning celebration, but I never imagined that Kim would try to put a stop to the ceremony.
She’s seriously lost her damned mind.
“Kim, please leave,” I say firmly. “This is a private gathering.”
“Tristan, please,” she says, shaking her head frantically back and forth. “You don’t have to do this. It’s not too late to go back and make everything right. This isn’t how this is supposed to end. You’re supposed to be with me. We were made for each other. We’ve been in love since we were kids. Please, don’t throw that away.”
“I believe you’re the one who threw my son away, Kimberly,” Dad pipes up from behind me. “And I don’t mind telling you that your grandmother would be ashamed of the way you treat people. Maggie was so sweet she wouldn’t kill a cockroach in a corner, let alone sucker punch her own fiancé right in the heart.”
“Dad, please,” I begin, but before I can tell Dad I’ve got this, Dylan jumps in.
“You nearly broke him once, Kim,” he seconds. “Why don’t you crawl back to whatever hole you oozed out of and leave him the hell alone.”
“That’s enough,” I say in a hard voice before Rafe or anyone else can add their two cents. “Thanks for the solidarity, but I don’t need anyone to fight my battles for me.” I glance back at Kim. “And there isn’t any reason to be angry. I’m not. I’m grateful to you, Kim, I really am. If you hadn’t left, I would have kept holding on so tight to tired old dreams I might never have seen that my one-in-a-million person was sitting next to me at the office every day.” I tighten my grip on Zoey’s hand and gaze down into her shining eyes. “I am so happy and so in love, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is where I belong. I thank God I found my way to Zoey.” I shift my attention back to the fence. “And I thank you, too, Kim. So, thank you and goodbye.”
Kim’s bottom lip trembles as an incredulous look flickers across her features. “But she’s lied to you, Tristan. She’s tricked you. I didn’t do any of those things that she said I did. I swear to you, I—”
“I haven’t said anything about you, Kim.” Zoey’s words are soft but laced with steel. “I don’t believe in hurting people for no reason, especially people I love.”
Kim’s jaw drops. “You’re lying. I know you’re—”
“No, she’s not,” a deep voice announces from the far side of the yard.
The heads of the gathered company swivel in unison as Bear strides swiftly around the side of the house still dressed in pajama pants and a gray T-shirt.
“I’m sorry for intruding, but I was afraid she was going to try something like this, and I wanted to be here to set the record straight.” Bear motions to Zoey, regret creasing his features. “I’m sorry for interrupting your wedding, Zoey. And I’m sorry for sticking my nose back in your life when you clearly weren’t interested in giving us a second chance. To express my sincere apologies, I’m here to shut this down, once and for all.”
Zoey’s lips part on a sharp inhale, but before she can speak, Bear barrels on.
“Kim cheated on you during college, bro.” Bear
shifts his attention my way with a wince, clearly taking no pleasure in delivering the news. “Zoey walked in on her with a couple of guys sophomore year, and Kim bullied her like crazy after. Like she blamed Zoey for—”
“He’s lying,” Kim screeches, her words ending in a sob.
“I’m not lying.” Bear’s brow furrows with determination. “And Kim and I aren’t really a couple. We met up in Australia like I said, but we were both sad about leaving the people we loved behind, not interested in each other. We decided to pretend to be together to get you guys back, but obviously, that isn’t working, so… I’m here to put a stop to it.”
“I hate you, Bear,” Kim shouts from the other side of the fence. “You’re a fucking idiot. I never should have trusted you to keep your mouth shut.” A moment later, the top of her blond head disappears, and the sound of angrily clicking heels on pavement fills the air as she storms away.
“You called it,” I mutter to Zoey, who is looking up at me with eyes filled with concern.
“Are you okay?” she whispers, squeezing my fingers.
I blink, confused by the question for a moment until her meaning hits. “You mean about the cheating? Yeah. I’m okay. Truly.” I smile. “It was sweet of you to try to protect me, but I don’t need protection. And I don’t care what happened in the past. I’m all about the future.”
Zoey smiles. “Me, too.”
“Then I guess I’ll be going,” Bear says from the far side of the lawn.
Still smiling, with her eyes firmly on mine, Zoey says, “Yes, please. Thank you, Bear. Have a good one.”
“You’re way too nice,” Violet mutters before clearing her throat. “All right, then! If all the drama has reached its conclusion, I now pronounce, by the power vested in me by the—”
“The babies are coming!” my dad suddenly shouts, thrusting his phone into the air overhead as he grabs my arm. “They’re coming, Tristan! We’ve got to go! Now!”
“What babies?” someone calls from the seating area. “Who’s having a baby?”
“The cow’s having twins,” Deacon announces from the end of the line of Hunter men standing beside me, a hard eye-roll clear in his voice. “And I’m pretty sure she can do it without interrupting Tristan’s wedding.”
“Fake wedding,” my dad huffs. “And you don’t break a promise for a fake wedding. Grab your toothbrush, Tristan, it might be a long night.”
I cast a glance Zoey’s way to find her laughing. “I’ll pack a bag for you, grab us both a change of clothes, and meet you at the farm.” She shoos her hands. “Go, help bring your grand cowbabies into the world.”
“As long as everyone else stays and enjoys the pizza,” I insist, allowing Dad to tug me away toward the back door. “And the beer.”
“Got it covered,” Dylan assures me. “We’ll keep the oven warm for you until five, too, just in case.”
* * *
But by the time five o’clock rolls around, Moo-donna is no closer to delivering, and even Sophie—who grew up on a dairy farm and insists twin births can be a long, drawn-out affair—is getting worried.
“I’ll go wait in the driveway, bring the vet here as soon as she arrives,” Zoey says, rubbing a comforting hand in circles on my back while I stroke Moo-donna’s taut belly. She’s definitely having contractions, but so far, they haven’t progressed labor to the point we can see either of the calves, let alone get a calving rope around one of the baby’s legs and help mama out.
“Thanks, babe.” I wish I could hug her, but I’m already scrubbed to my elbows and have my heavy rubber gloves on, just in case. “Sorry about our fake wedding ending in a barn.”
“Oh, please. It’s fine. You know I’m more comfortable around animals, anyway. I just wish poor Moo-donna was having an easier time of it.” She glances over her shoulder to where my dad is pacing back and forth on the far side of the barn, chatting urgently with Sophie. “And your dad, too. I’ve never seen him so stressed.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter. “I think he’s stressing out the cow. How is she supposed to relax with him hovering and muttering doom and gloom every five minutes?”
Zoey hums thoughtfully beneath her breath. “You could have something there. I’ll see if I can get him to come wait with me. Give you guys a break in here.”
“You’re an angel,” I say, adding in a softer voice. “And I’m really glad you took off your wedding dress to keep it clean, but will you promise to put it back on later? I was having fantasies about you in that dress and exactly how I was going to get you out of it.”
Her eyes darken as she nods. “As long as you put on your tux, sexy. I can’t wait to consummate the hell out of our fake marriage.” She leans in, pressing a quick kiss to my lips.
Moo-donna groans a second later, her entire body shuddering beneath my hand.
“Got it. Sorry, Donna,” Zoey says, pulling away. “I’m sure that isn’t what you want to see right now, considering all the trouble kissing got you into.”
“Do cows kiss?” I ask.
Zoey rolls her eyes. “Are you kidding? Of course, they do. Cows make out with their favorite friends for hours. They love kisses. And they adore being petted and have a keen memory for human faces, form strong bonds with their preferred cow buddies, and grieve deeply when they lose a member of their herd.”
I nod soberly. “I think I just became a vegetarian.”
“Good, I’ve got tons of recipes. You’ll never miss meat, I promise.” She winks as she slips out of the pen and closes the gate. “Be back in twenty minutes or less with the vet in tow.”
But it turns out twenty minutes is about five minutes too late.
As soon as my dad is out of the barn—taking his stress vibes with him—Moo-donna gives a mighty push, and two spindly calf legs emerge into the cool evening air. A few pushes later, and I’m catching a gorgeous white and ginger-spotted calf in my arms. No sooner have I helped clear the fluid from his nostrils, than number two is on its way. Baby two is smaller, but the same beautiful cream and reddish-brown as his brother. It takes a little more work to get his nostrils clear, but just as I’m beginning to worry, the little guy coughs, sputters, and finally lets out a baby bellow for his mama.
Guiding the calves closer to Moo-donna—who immediately begins to give them both dozens of happy cow kiss-licks—I stand and strip off my gloves. I’m filthy and sweaty, and my back aches from crouching next to Moo-donna for hours, but those sweet little faces make it all worth it.
“Though, I have to confess I’m glad this wasn’t the end of our real wedding day,” I say to Zoey as we make our way back to her car an hour later—after a quick shower and a toast to the new additions with Sophie and Dad.
“Oh, I don’t know,” she says, looping her arm around my waist. “New life, new beginnings, helping an animal you love bring her first babies into the world… It seems like a pretty auspicious start to happily ever after to me.”
I pause, turning to face her in the fading light, chest aching as I brush a loose curl behind her ear. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?” she asks, leaning her cheek into my hand with a smile.
“Make me fall deeper in love with you every day?” I ask softly, though I already know the answer. She doesn’t have to do anything except be her sweet, sexy, thoughtful, completely adorable self.
She sighs happily and says, “Witchcraft,” making me laugh.
“Witchcraft, huh?” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. “So are you a good witch or a bad witch?”
“I don’t know,” she says, a wicked grin curving her lips as her palms glide up my chest. “Why don’t you take me home and find out?”
“In the car, woman,” I say, my voice husky and my heart already beating faster. “I don’t care what kind of witch you are, I want you in my bed ASAP.”
“Take Eastside Road, it’s fastest.” She presses a breathless kiss to my lips before breaking away and jogging the rest of the way to the car.
Twenty minutes later, we’re back at my place, discovering a note from Dylan assuring us that he and Tristan cleaned up the party mess and returned the pizza oven, the twins took Luke for a walk before feeding and kenneling him for the night, and Emma boxed up the leftover pizza and tucked it into the fridge in case Zoey and I were hungry.
And we are. We’re starving, but that doesn’t stop me from lifting Zoey onto the counter in the kitchen and kissing her senseless as she wraps her legs around my hips. It doesn’t stop her from stripping my sweatshirt over my head or me from disposing of the sweater she changed into after the wedding.
We don’t stop until her skirt is around her waist and her panties are on the floor, until my jeans and boxers are shoved down low enough to free my aching cock and I’m sliding inside her slick heat, thrusting deep into this woman who is my heart, my happiness, my future.
“I don’t want to wait,” I whisper against her lips as I rock inside her, loving the way her breath hitches as she clings to me. “Let’s get married.”
“Yes, oh yes,” she says, as I grip her ass in my hands, pulling her closer at the end of each thrust, grinding against her clit.
“Yes to getting married or yes to me fucking you like this?”
“Both. Both, baby, yes, please,” she says, kissing me with a soft laugh that becomes a gasp as I begin to drive deeper, harder, taking her with me to that bright, beautiful place I only find when I’m with her.
She comes a second before I do, her body locking tight around me, triggering a release so intense it nearly brings me to my knees. But it doesn’t because Zoey is there, holding me tight, grounding me with her kiss, her touch, and her heart racing in time with mine.
Afterward, we start a fire, spread out a blanket for a dinner picnic, and make plans to elope over cold pizza and a bottle of Dry Creek Zinfandel. And though we realize some people might think we’re crazy, we know the people who love us will understand.
Yes, Zoey and I are both usually cautious people, but when something’s right, it’s right, and there’s no doubt in either of our minds that this is where we want to be. Whether we take a year to plan a big wedding or run away to Vegas next weekend, the end result will be the same—Zoey and me, together, looking forward to all the dreams we’re going to make come true as husband and wife.
