CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“ I hate this center of attention stuff,” Buster groused from beside Newman. “I asked Willow to elope, but she wasn’t having it.”
“Suck it up, baker boy, it’s her day. Dress, the whole deal, it’s what some women like.”
“Not your woman?”
“No, Hope’s different.” And he loved her for it.
“I saw her wearing a lemon dress, so not that different as it turns out.”
“We compromised.”
“I thought it was a bit understated for Hope.”
Newman just smiled, remembering the robust discussion they’d had. She’d gone for a compromise on her clothing for today. Dress and shitkickers. If he was being truthful, he liked her wacky style now. It suited her personality.
“You like living with her?”
“Surprisingly, I really do. She’s messy where I’m tidy, and we think differently, but for all that, it’s working.” Especially waking up with Hope in his arms. He’d never tire of that.
“Everything looks awesome, Newman,” Buster said, sounding like he’d choked on something.
They all stood on the edge of his property, with the lake at their back. He, Buster, Tex, and Jake were dressed in chinos and white shirts, because as the groom had stated, no way in hell was he wearing a suit!
They’d worked hard to make the place look special, and it did. Flowers in pots, rose petals scattered down the aisle instead of carpet, like he’d wanted. Hope had won that round. The arch was covered in an array of colorful flowers and greenery.
“Even the sun’s out for you, bud,” Tex said, looking relaxed. He and Jake had done this already, it was now Buster’s turn, and one day soon, Newman’s. Not that he’d asked her yet, but he would.
“Game on,” Newman said softly as the music started. He saw her then, his girl. She was backing out the door, camera poised. She snapped off a few shots, then turned and hurried a few feet.
The dress was soft and silky, and stopped a few inches above her knees. She wore a circlet of flowers in her hair, which she’d left loose. The little silver chain he’d given her was around her wrist, and her long legs were bare. The boots finished the outfit.
Buster made a sound when Willow stepped into view on her father’s arm. The dress had tiny straps and fitted her body like a glove. All lace, it really suited her. Her hair was high and loose, and dotted with flowers. Her feet were bare.
“Need me to slap you about a bit, baker boy? You’re looking peaky.”
“Like hell,” he muttered, eyes firmly focused on Willow. “Lord, would you look at her. She’s so beautiful.”
They all agreed. Hope moved closer. Newman winked at her, and she winked back.
The service ran smoothly, except for Rose demanding to go to her parents, and her doting grandparents trying to quiet her while everyone laughed.
After that they ate, drank, and then the candles were lit outside as the sun started to go down. Newman was excused from his best-man duties, and went looking for Hope, who had still been taking photos when last he’d seen her.
“Your girl’s taking in the sunset from the lower level,” Declan said, walking by with two glasses of champagne.
“Thanks.” Newman made for the end of his property, then down the stairs he’d had built that led to another viewing platform. This one held a swing seat and was private. He was pleased to find only Hope there.
“Hey, you.”
She was leaning on the rail, camera poised as she snapped.
“Hey back.”
“You about done with the photography?”
“Yup.” She took off the camera and lowered it to the seat. “Now I want to be kissed, because after looking at you dressed like that for the entire day and not being able to touch you, I’m about ready to jump you.”
His eyes crossed.
“Ha ha, you’re so easy, Paul Newman.”
She moved closer and slipped her arms around his neck. Newman burrowed his nose in her hair and inhaled.
“My father called me this morning, Newman.”
“What’d he say?”
“That he wants me to go visit him and his family, and meet my brothers and sister.”
“Sounds like a plan, when do we leave?”
Her sigh was soft. “I like that I’m part of a ‘we.’ Especially with you.”
“Marry me.”
“Sure, but I don’t do all the big stuff. Having said that, this was fun, so maybe one like this and I’ll cope.”
He looked at her.
“Sure? I ask you the most important question I’ve ever asked anyone, and you say sure.”
“Yes, then? You honor me, maybe? How about, yes, oh great one?” She was giving him that cheeky smile he’d only recently discovered. She told him it was because she was happy and content, two things she’d never really been in her life before. Her words had humbled him.
“I like the last one best.”
“I guessed you might.” She touched his face, running a finger over his eyebrows and then down a cheek. “How is it that the thought of being apart from you now makes me desperate? That in you I’ve got what I never believed I wanted.”
“What?” He took her finger and kissed it.
“You make me dependent, and I don’t mean weak. I mean that in you I’ve found someone who understands the person I need to be, and accepts me for it. Mr. Perfect loves me for me, and now I need you in my life.”
“You think it’s any different for me?” He kissed the pad of her thumb. “I’m stronger now. I can say no to people, and even my dad can’t hurt me. You’ve done that to me, Hope. You alone.”
She cupped his cheeks. “Love me?”
“Always,” he replied, as he always did when she asked him. “You?”
“Always.”
He held her then, and together they watched the sun go down. His love, his life, forever and always.
THE END