Page 45 of Forbidden Cowboy
My mom strums a quick drum roll. Our fathers tear off the cover. The red material floats to the ground. Behind it is another booth. Only the big sign painted at the top doesn’t readKissing Booth. Instead, it readsWhisky Ridge Creek’s Friendship Booth.
Claps of applause and whistles pelt out through the crowd.
Our fathers step in front of the booth and clasp hands in a firm handshake.
“Over here!” They turn and the local journalist snaps their picture.
“All the Fox and Wildes together now!” Mr. Wilde waves everyone over.
“This doesn’t feel real.” I watch my sisters skip over. I see his brothers strut to meet our parents.
Levi spins me to face him. “We did it, Hope.”
I smile. “We did it.”
He picks me up and twirls me in the air. His lips cover mine as he sets me to my feet.
“Save it for the honeymoon!”
We run to the friendship booth for a picture.
Wheeler shakes my hand before pulling me into a hug. Josie hugs Levi. And before I know it, I’m shaking hands with Mr. Wilde, while Mrs. Wilde pulls me in her embrace.
“Welcome to the family, Hope.”
“Something’s missing.” Levi kisses my cheek before running off.
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LEVI
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THE FLAMES HAVEN’T touched the painted sign screwed to the top of the kissing booth. While it might not have meaning to our fathers, it holds a helluva lot of meaning to me and Hope.
I try to yank it off, but fire jumps at my feet. I’ve screwed it in pretty good, if I do say so myself.
“Let me help you, son.” My pa reaches for the far side of the sign. My heart is beating so hard I hope he can’t hear it. I’ve never spent so many days without talking to my pa. He’s the guy who takes the time to explain every single tiny detail to every single situation, big or small. And I’ve missed him.
“Thanks, Pa.”
He nods, understanding the meaning behind my thanks. “On three.”
“I’ll help.” Hart grabs the center of the sign. He doesn’t look at me. He doesn’t have too. His action says a thousand words.
Together, we yank off the sign.
“Just for the record, I think you’re bat shit crazy for marrying a Fox.” Hart claps my shoulder. “But you’ve always been a few peas short of a casserole.”
“Thanks man.”
Hope watches me from the friendship booth. I’m impressed as hell our folks erected an entire booth in less than twelve hours. I’m further impressed they didn’t kill each other doing it.
I stroll in her direction, holding the sign facing her. She meets me halfway.
“Nice sign.”
“I thought it would look nice hanging above our mantle.”