Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)
“I never said huge.” She laughs. “But country, yes. That’s us, and I want the day to encompass who we are and who we’ll be together as much as possible.”
“So something outside, in a field of wildflowers, with our closest friends and family. What else?”
“My bouquet will be pink and white roses, with some wildflowers mixed in. I don’t really want a big wedding party. I think it’s ridiculous to have them spend money on clothes they’ll never wear again. My dress… well, it’s simple, yet elegant.”
“Tell me more,” I say, pulling her close.
“Nope. That’s a surprise. Besides, I’ve never even seen the perfect dress. It’s just an idea in my head.”
“I think you should start looking. Doesn’t that sort of thing take time?”
“Yeah, I mean it can, but we’re not even engaged,” she says hesitantly.
“Oh, we are. You’re going to be my wife. My ring’s not on your finger yet, but that’s a technicality. What you described sounds pretty simple, minus the dress. Start looking.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.” I place a kiss on her temple.
“Okay,” she agrees; however, I can tell from the tone of her voice that it’s reluctantly. “It’s just weird to not be officially engaged and shopping for a wedding dress.”
“Trust me, Liv.”
“Okay.”
“Now, what about a reception?”
“I thought just some tables set up under a white tent, or Mom and Dad have the old barn out back behind their house that they use for storage. We could clean it up and set up a few tables, string some lights. A small cake, some homemade pork barbecue with some sides.”
“You have a field of wildflowers in mind?” I ask her, knowing she does. We’ve ridden the horses and the four-wheelers through that field many times over the years, both before she was mine and after.
“Yeah, you know the one in the back of the property at Mom and Dad’s?”
“That’s always been your favorite spot.”
“It’s beautiful there. I can imagine the pictures of us in the field of wildflowers.” She snuggles closer, burying her face in my chest.
“It’s pretty far back on the property.”
“It is, but with just close friends and family, we can get them back there. Hell, they don’t have to dress up, and we can take them back on a hay wagon. Can you imagine Lexi and Walker? They would love it.”
“They would,” I agree. “So that’s it? That’s all it takes to make the day special for you?”
“No. It’s you, that’s what makes it special. The rest just paints the picture of the love we share.”
“Very poetic.” I chuckle.
My laughter dies out and we lie there, letting the silence surround us. It’s not uncomfortable, not with her here in my arms and not with the subject at hand. We just planned our wedding. Well, she did, but I meant it when I said all I needed was her.
“What about me?” I ask her. “What am I wearing?”
She laughs softly. “I say some nice jeans, a button-down, and your cowboy boots.”
“No monkey suit?”
“Nope.”
“You really do love me,” I say dramatically, causing us both to laugh.