This day is taking for. Ev. Er,” Toby whispered to Jane. They were on their five thousandth picture with the wedding party, and every minute until he could get Jane alone seemed to stretch longer and longer. Forget posing and smiling, strapless bras and G-strings were all he could think about.
“We need another one,” the photographer informed the group, aiming a glare at Toby. “This time no whispering.”
Damn he’d been caught. Now they’d have to stand here even longer.
Everyone except for Jane groaned. She laughed.
“If you behave, we’ll get through this much faster,” she told him primly.
“I don’t want to behave.” He and Jane had been behaving all day and they hadn’t even started the reception yet.
“Okay, everyone looking at the camera, please.” The photographer seemed to mainly be addressing Toby. If it would move this along, he’d give the man his best smile.
“Perfect. Everyone hold it right there.” The man snapped what had to be a thousand pictures, and Toby smiled for every single one of them.
“That’s it. I think we’re done with the wedding party.” The photographer lowered his camera. “We’ll take a few more family shots, then you can head to the reception.”
Thank. God. Toby turned to Jane, but she was busy helping Beth straighten her veil. Two more hours. They only had to be here for two more hours. They could leave the reception early, right?
Jane finally finished touching up Beth and wandered over to him, a smile shining in her eyes. “This has been the best day. Wasn’t that ceremony beautiful?”
“It was pretty spectacular.” Emotion may have even tightened his throat once or twice seeing Ethan cry with obvious joy when he’d watched Beth walk down the aisle. And don’t get him started on the vows they’d written themselves. Toby had pretended to sneeze once to cover up a few tears.
“Did I see you wiping away a tear?” Jane faced him, resting her forearms on his shoulders and clasping her hands behind his neck.
He should’ve known she’d see through the sneeze. “It’s allergy season.” He moved in a step closer, placing his hands on the curves of her hips.
“I don’t remember you ever having allergies.” She closed the space between them, pinning her body against his. “It’s okay to cry you know.”
“Maybe I was crying because I knew it would be hours until I could get you alone again,” he suggested. “Seriously. Why do people insist on doing pictures between the ceremony and the reception?” In his opinion, they could knock those out ahead of time and rush through the reception.
Jane only laughed. “Ethan didn’t want to see his bride before she walked down the aisle. I think it’s sweet.”
“I think you’re sweet.” Toby couldn’t hold back anymore. He lowered his lips to hers, seeking out that connection that sent shock waves through him every time.
“Okay everyone!” Jane’s mom came walking down the aisle breaking off their kiss way too soon. “We need to move on to the reception hall. Everyone’s waiting.”
“I’ve been waiting,” Toby murmured, giving Jane a pout.
“You’ve been very patient.” Jane drew her lips to his ear. “And I promise your patience will pay off,” she whispered, nibbling on his earlobe for a quick second before she pulled away.
“Now you’re just torturing me.” Not that he was complaining.
Smiling, she took his hand and led him to where everyone was piling into the golf carts to head down to the reception hall. They climbed in and sat close as Mara drove them down the hill. Music already blared from the new reception hall. With how long pictures had taken, the party was likely already in full swing.
“Family and the wedding party can go ahead on in,” Mara instructed when she’d parked the golf cart. “We’ll send Ethan and Beth in after.”
Toby slid out of the seat first and then helped Jane stand. “Have I mentioned how much I love that dress?” He admired it again, paying particular attention to the strapless neckline.
“You may have mentioned it.” Jane seemed to take her time checking him out too. “I’m definitely a fan of that tux on you.” She straightened his bow tie. “Though I prefer your jeans.”
“Why is that?” Toby asked. He knew, he just wanted to hear her say it.
Before Jane could answer, Mara ushered them toward the reception hall doors. “Come on you two. We’re running behind schedule. There’ll be plenty of time for flirting later,” she said wearing a knowing look.
They’d gone way past flirting, but Toby didn’t point that out.
“Come on.” Jane held on to him as they navigated the path to the reception hall. “Let’s go dance.”
He’d never liked dancing much, but something told him he’d like it with Jane. He’d like doing just about anything with Jane.
Inside the reception hall, the wedding crowd was milling around enjoying appetizers and drinks while they anxiously awaited the bride and groom’s arrival. Toby swiped two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. He was more of a beer guy, but today felt like a good day to celebrate. “Cheers.” He handed Jane a glass and they clinked them together.
“Are you trying to get me tipsy so I’ll kiss you again?” she asked after her first sip.
“I’d like to think you’d kiss me regardless.”
Jane teased him with a shrug. “I might.” Her playful expression turned serious. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about—”
“There you two are.” Wes strode between them. “I thought you’d snuck off into the woods to make out again.”
Toby might have to sneak her off into the woods in order to avoid any more interruptions. What had she been about to tell him?
The music stopped suddenly, and the room went silent. “Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Rockford!” the DJ announced. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees started playing and the whole crowd went crazy while Ethan and Beth disco danced their way into the room and headed straight for the dance floor.
Jane had been about to tell him something important, but now the party had really started, and she seemed to forget all about it. She pulled him and Wes to the edge of the crowd and started to clap along with the music, cheering on their friends while they lit up the dance floor with some impressive disco moves.
Just as Toby was about to lean in and ask her what she wanted to tell him, Beth danced her way over to them.
“Come on!” She pulled them both out into the center of the circle with her.
Toby almost expected Jane to edge her way back to the crowd, but she surprised him by doing the hustle instead. Toby joined her, mimicking her movements since he couldn’t dance to save his life.
The crowd really got into it then, and their cheers and whoops seemed to make Jane shine even more. She put it all out there, swinging her hips, shaking her shoulders. The rest of the wedding party joined in, but Jane seemed to steal the show. Toby stopped dancing and simply watched her, utterly amazed. That night at the brewery she hadn’t wanted any attention on her, and now she seemed to thrive on it.
The song ended and Jane made her way back to him, her face flushed and her eyes still dancing.
“That was amazing.” Toby pulled her against him. “I had no idea you could dance like that.” There were so many things he hadn’t discovered about her yet. He hoped he had the chance to learn everything.
“I didn’t know I could dance like that either,” she said, still out of breath. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun.”
“I love watching you have fun,” he told her. “And so did everyone else.”
She turned a slow circle looking around her. People still clapped and smiled, staring at Jane in awe.
She turned back to him, cozying up. “I guess they’re finally seeing me for who I really am.”
“I’ve always seen you.” Toby stared steadily into her bright, happy eyes. “I may not have known what to do with you back then, but I still saw you.” A slow country song started, and he cradled Jane in his arms, urging her back to the center of the dance floor.
They swayed to the music and Jane lifted her face to his. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
Oh, yeah. He’d gotten so wrapped up in watching her dance, he’d forgotten. “You can talk to me about anything.”
Jane inhaled deeply. “I—”
“Selfie time!” Beth crashed their two-person party, breaking them apart and snapping a picture of the three of them.
“No. No way.” No more interruptions. Toby quickly resumed their slow-dance position and danced Jane into the corner where they had more privacy. “What were you going to say?” He had to know why her face suddenly looked so serious. Nerves buzzed in his stomach.
“I was going to say…” She seemed to think for a minute. “Or rather, I was going to ask, do you want to buy the ranch with me?”
“Yes.” He’d buy a shack with her. If it meant he got to spend his life making up for lost time, he’d buy anything. “Tell me when and how and I’ll sign the papers. I’d do it today. Right now.”
Jane’s laugh made him want to kiss her. “Well, I don’t think we can move that fast. But I talked to my mom about it, and I want to keep the ranch in the family. I know you’ll be traveling a lot—”
“And now I’ll have every reason to hurry home.” Because Jane would be here. Because this place would be theirs. Together.
“I still want to travel with you too sometimes.” She stopped dancing and bit into her lower lip shyly. “I still want to have adventures with you.”
“We’re gonna have so many adventures.” Toby kissed her letting his lips linger over hers while he continued. “I’m going to give you everything.”
* * *
“Thank you so much!” Beth threw herself at Jane, holding her tight. “I never would’ve made it through this without you.”
Jane squeezed her back. “And I never would’ve faced everything I needed to face here if you hadn’t gotten married.”
“You’re going home with Toby tonight, I would hope?” her friend whispered. Like it was some big secret after the way she and Toby had danced and kissed during the entire reception.
“Oh, yes. I’m definitely going home with Toby tonight.” Her gaze wandered off to find him. He stood by Ethan near the door. They were shaking hands instead of hugging of course. The rest of the close family and friends who’d lingered to see Ethan and Beth off were clustered around the reception hall doors.
“In fact, the faster you get going, the faster I can go home with Toby,” Jane said, giving her friend a nudge. Hint, hint. “Ethan is looking pretty impatient himself.”
“I’m going, I’m going.” Beth didn’t budge. “I want details on you two as soon as I get home. Before you go back to California.”
“I’m not going back to California. Well not for long, anyway.” With all the craziness, she hadn’t had the opportunity to discuss her plans with Beth. “I’m buying the ranch from Mom, staying right here.”
“What?” Her friend leapt into another hug, and Jane was pretty sure she saw Ethan’s foot start to tap. “Staying forever? Living at the ranch?” Her friend started to cry.
“Yes.” Jane started to walk her to the door. “So, we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”
“And we can have babies together!” Beth blurted out.
Toby’s eyes went wide.
“When you’re ready, of course.” Her friend patted Toby’s shoulder.
“I think that’s our cue to make a fast getaway.” Ethan took Beth’s hand. “Ready?”
“I think so.” Beth glanced at Jane over her shoulder. “But we’ll talk soon, right?”
“Of course.” Jane helped herself to a small container of bubbles sitting in a basket nearby.
“Bye everyone!” Beth couldn’t seem to leave the party. She’d never wanted to leave a party early.
“Have the best time on your honeymoon!” Jane called, blowing the bubbles in their direction. Everyone else followed suit and soon they were trailing Beth and Ethan out the door with bubbles floating in the soft moonlight.
The couple climbed into Ethan’s Jeep, which the groomsmen had covered with streamers and balloons, and then they drove away, Beth waving frantically out the window.
The crowd started to disperse, with everyone going their separate ways.
“I’m glad your mom hired a cleaning crew.” Toby tucked Jane under his arm.
“Me too.” The wedding had been so much fun, but she was ready to collapse into Toby’s arms and stay there as long as he would let her.
“You want to get out of here?” he asked hopefully.
“I would love to get out of here.” She held on to him and they snuck away from the reception hall, following the path by the lake. Moonlight bounced on the water, filling the whole area with a soft glow.
“What a gorgeous night,” Jane said, almost afraid to disturb the peace.
“It’s perfect,” Toby agreed. He led her to the edge of the sand where they both removed their shoes. After a full evening of dancing, the cool grains felt nice against her feet. They walked along the edge of the water in a quiet contentedness. Everything was still and peaceful, Jane almost didn’t want to ruin it with words.
Taking her hand, Toby pulled her to a stop. The moon gave off enough light that she could see his face, his captivating blue eyes. He’d lost the bow tie somewhere along the way, and the buttons on the starched white tux shirt had mostly come undone. Jane’s heartbeat seemed to resound all through her.
“You’re the reason this night is perfect.” A note of reverence lowered Toby’s voice. “I love you, Jane.”
The sincerity of his words engraved them into her heart.
Jane let the stillness descend again so she could savor the moment she gave her whole heart away. She memorized how the lake looked like it was made of glass, how the dark outline of the trees hemmed them in, how intent Toby’s eyes were in telling her what he felt, and when she had catalogued every detail to hold it in her heart forever, she finally said, “I love you too.” This time she kissed him with no reservations, with no fears, with no logic to fall back on.
And then Toby swept her up in his arms and carried her all the way home.