Page 97 of Homewrecker


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"Okay, Nurse Seth," I tease him. "I'll get something in a minute."

He puts his finger on my neck like he's checking my pulse, and as always his touch makes it race faster.

"I'll give you a full exam later," he says, running his eyes down my body. "Right now, let's get you some food."

Seth and I pluck appetizers from the tray of a server who passes by, and right as we eat them, the photographer takes a candid shot of us.

"Great," Seth mumbles through the cheese in his mouth. "That's one for the photo album."

"We should get started with the ceremony soon," I say after we finish eating. "I'll tell Herb and Renata, if you want to tell the minister."

I start to walk away, but Seth guides me back to him, taking my face in his hands.

"You did a great job. It's a beautiful party."

He kisses me softly, and I feel the stress ebbing out of my shoulders. We haven't even been together a year yet, but I know that it won't be too long before I'm planning our wedding here at the farm. It's amazing that this thought doesn't terrify me. In fact, I can't wait to put a ring on that hand and call him mine.

We gather the wedding party and ask them to get in their places while the guests take their seats. Renata has chosen to have her friend sing an acoustic version of Alicia Keys’ "No One" as she walks down the aisle. Eli will be accompanying her on fiddle. Seth and I will be first in the procession, followed by Harmony and Michael, then Renata and Trey. We don't have official roles, but she and Dad wanted all of us to stand up with them.

When the music begins, emotion wells in my chest. She's made such an appropriate song choice. For Dad, there is no one but Renata. It's been a long and winding road to this point, and they're finally joining their lives—all of our lives—together forever.

I hold onto Seth's arm as we walk past friends and family, catching Hugh's eye as we pass by him and Raymond. We take our places near the minister and my father. Dad beams at us with tears in his eyes that threaten to spill onto his cheeks. Michael and Harmony join us next. She looks like a little princess today in her lilac dress with a sparkly tulle skirt. Then Trey escorts his mother down the aisle. If anyone can radiate warmth and joy, it's Renata. She's incandescent. Dad's tears are now flowing, and he's not the only one. I'm barely holding it together myself.

As a family, we surround the happy couple with our love, and it's all I can do not to bawl my eyes out as they exchange the vows they've written. Seth squeezes my hand from time to time, letting me know that he's there, feeling it, too. Just as Dad slips the ring onto Renata's finger, there's a commotion among the guests, and I turn to see Princess Kate casually traipsing down the aisle. Renata and I gasp as she pauses to gnaw on a floral arrangement.

Hoots of laughter ring out as Harmony races toward the goat, who has a hydrangea hanging out of her mouth. When she's within inches, Princess Kate sprints off in the opposite direction. Harmony is fast though, and after a bit of chasing and some help from a few of Renata's nephews, she's able to grab the goat's collar.

Tears of laughter stream down Dad and Renata's faces as they watch the events playing out before them.

"I got her!" Harmony yells proudly, the goat tight in her hands.

"Perfect," Renata says.

"Can I pronounce you husband and wife now?" the minister asks.

Dad and Renata give him an enthusiastic yes, and the minister makes it official and indicates that it's an appropriate time for them to kiss. Applause and shouts of joy fill the air when Dad plants a smooch on Renata's lips. I'm smiling so hard my face hurts.

We walk back down the aisle, this time bouncing along to Dad's song selection, Queen's "You're My Best Friend."

* * *

The reception runs more smoothlythan the ceremony, and is just as fun. The food is plentiful and delicious, the music is just cheesy enough to get everyone on the dance floor, and Michael's toast makes me cry again. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for Renata and Dad. When Seth asks me for a slow dance, I melt into his arms with exhaustion and relief.

"I'm glad you can laugh about Kate crashing the ceremony," he whispers into my ear as we sway together.

I shrug and tuck my head against his shoulder. "What kind of wedding at a goat farm doesn't include goats?"

"Hopefully ours."

I tip my head up and look at him. "I'm okay with a goat attending, but absolutely no chickens."

"Got it," he says. "No chickens. And I think we should make it official."

I blink at him. "What?"

He takes my elbow and pulls me to the side of the tent, a few steps away from our family.

"I can't wait anymore. I know it's probably too soon, but it feels right."