Page 74 of Hogging the Hunk
“Cover your ears.” Milo’s face contorted with confusion, and it made me sputter with laughter. “Trust me. Cover your ears for a second.”
He did as he was told, and sticking my thumb and middle finger over my tongue, I whistled so shrilly the dogs in the next county probably heard me. It got everyone’s attention.
“I didn’t know you could whistle like that.” Milo’s mouth hung open in disbelief. “I can’t even whistle at all.”
“I’ll teach you. It’s handy for cheering at sporting events, calling dogs over, and hailing taxis.”
“And gathering people for a surprise wedding.” Milo used his chin to point at the flow of people into the barn. “Here they come.”
Preacher tossed the football to Asher, who tucked it under his arm, so he could run over to the bathroom to wipe the sweat off his face. Ellie retrieved Truffle from Milo’s parents, and Granny and Bonita had their heads together, whispering like they were exchanging the most delicious gossip of the day. My heart was so full my chest could barely contain it.
“Finally!” Parker clapped enthusiastically. “Time to eat!”
“Good.” Remi rubbed a hand over her flowy tunic shirt and licked her lips. “I could eat my weight in pulled pork right now.”
“Truffle’s right there!” Whispering behind his hand, he pointed at Truffle, who was snorting around Ellie’s feet.
Remi pressed her fingers to her lips and grimaced. “Oops. Sorry, Truffle. Nothing personal.”
“Want to have an eating contest?” Parker challenged Remi.
Narrowing her eyes, she grinned sinisterly. “You’re on.”
“Count me out.” Maren blew a breath out and hiccuped. “It’s too hot out to eat.”
“It’s only seventy-two,” Hudson said, arching an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” Maren hiccuped again. “Everything is totally normal. Parker?”
Weaving his way to his wife, Parker pulled Maren into him. She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes while he murmured something into her ear. What was wrong with my sister? Usually by this time of day, she was in full manual labor mode, hoeing weeds in the garden or fixing fence lines, not so drowsy she looked like she might fall asleep on her feet. I made a mental note to grill her about it after I got hitched.
“The food’s not ready yet.” Granny wielded an oversized slotted spoon like it was a sword and she was the only one to defend it. “It’ll be another hour before it’s ready.”
Clint groaned. “Aww, come on. I’m starving!”
Wil laughed at Clint’s whining. “Does anyone have a cookie? Clint’s about to have a meltdown.”
As Hudson and Remi pulled them apart, Milo stepped forward with my hand in his. We were finally going to reveal the purpose of this gathering. Looking from face to face, I hoped I’d remember their expressions when the ball dropped. No one would have guessed in a hundred years that Milo and I could be so impulsive.
Milo raised his hands to ask for everyone’s attention when Preacher came jogging back from the bathroom. His face was bright and still pink from the game of touch football in which he’d been starring, but he’d cleaned up nicely in the bathroom sink.
“Mind if I take a second?” Preacher asked, clapping Milo on the shoulder.
Glancing at me, I didn’t miss the humor in Milo’s eyes. “Yeah, man. Go for it.”
“Thanks.” Preacher strutted to Trixie, who was nibbling on a pink frosted sugar cookie from a stash she’d brought to share. “Trixie?”
She licked the crumbs off her lips. “What’s up, sweetie?”
Preacher answered by dropping down on one knee and fishing in his pocket for a ring box. There was a collective gasp in the room, followed by an absolute silence. The only noise was the half of Trixie’s cookie crumbling and falling in scattered muffled thuds onto the polished concrete. Truffle took it upon herself to clean them up, wiggling her curly tail with delight.
“Trixie, I love you. So many good things have happened in my life, but only a few have been magnificent. You have topped them all.” From where I stood, I could see Preacher’s hand trembling as he held up the jewelry box. Shocked by Preacher’s proposal, Trixie’s mouth was open in a silent scream. Somewhere in her head, I bet she was shrieking with delight and dancing all over the place. Preacher didn’t mince words, but what he said was so beautiful that if he was saying it to me, I might have agreed to marry him. “So, Trixie, will you make me the happiest man the world has ever known and marry—”
“Yes!” Trixie cried, throwing her hands in the air.
“You think they’re going to get engagement photos with their Camaros?” Milo asked. Laughing, I nudged him with my elbow.
While we clapped for the happy couple, Trixie splayed her fingers to allow Preacher to fit the ring onto her finger. His quaking hand made his grip unsteady, and the beautiful vintage ring tumbled to the floor, bouncing and clattering underfoot. Ever curious, Truffle pushed it around with her snout until she scooped it up with her mouth.