The ring ceremony complete, the judge intoned the finale in a booming, sonorous voice. “I now pronounce you married at last! You may kiss your new spouse.”

  A roar of clapping and screaming came from the tiered seating, some three or four hundred people here to watch the group wedding—strangers and friends and family. The loudest batch of cheers, of course, came from Jai’s family, and when she located them, she saw and heard Jim and Jackie screaming and cheering the loudest, along with fifty or sixty people that resembled Jai and his family in some way. Stuart’s parents, Kathy and Dick, were clearly pleased, too, but in their quieter way, they were almost lost in the group of jumping and hollering locals.

  Jai and Stuart were still kissing when she finally looked back at them, ready to offer her congratulations, and Maddie and Jos were laughing at something she’d missed. The men pulled apart with an audible pop, and she and the others laughed. Everyone in the party took turns hugging them, she staying a little longer in Stuart’s arms than anyone else.

  “I love you. Congratulations,” she whispered.

  He pulled back a little, his face still wet with tears. “I love you, too. Thank you for being here. It means so much to me.”

  “Okay, okay, you’re married now,” Jos said, clapping his shoulder. “Can we please go to the limo now? I’m freezing!”

  Jai and Stuart took their bouquets back from her and followed the rest of the crowd up the stairs to the street, she and the others behind them. People were still shouting their congratulations as they passed, and Jai and Stuart seemed to revel in the experience, stopping to wave far too many times. She could see Jos, who was next to her on the stairs, starting to lose patience and grabbed her arm before she could push her brother from behind.

  “It’s just a few more minutes, Jos. Relax.”

  Jos fumed for a moment longer and then took a deep breath. Before long, they were at the top of the stairs at street level. The wedding party had their own limo, the parents were sharing a luxury sedan, and while some people would drive themselves, Jai and Stuart had arranged for two shuttle buses to take most of their guests out to the reception and back to various hotels all over town. As the maid of honor, she should stay out here in this frigid chill and help direct the guests to the right buses, but she could hardly focus on any of that right now, as she, like Jos, was far too cold to do anything but shuffle as fast as she could to the limo on her frozen legs and feet. She had to hope the parents would take charge of the logistics before leaving.

  The limo was white and new, with heart and cupid decals splashed everywhere across the side panels and windows. She waited by the door a moment until Maddie caught up to her, the two of them kissing briefly before climbing inside at last. Maddie’s hands were warm, and she covered hers with them, rubbing them lightly. Jai and Stuart finally climbed in, and everyone in the cabin cheered and clapped again, especially when the door was shut behind them. More cheering erupted as Jai and Stuart popped two bottles of champagne, and everyone passed the glasses down the line until they were all holding one.

  “Uh,” Jai said, clearing his throat. He held up his glass. “We’re doing our vows after dinner, but I wanted to say thank you to all of you wonderful ladies for being part of this today.”

  Stuart held his glass a little higher, too. “It was so nice to have all of you together for this, and I wanted to add a special thank you to our maids of honor, who did most of the footwork with very little time. Thank you, Ryann and Maddie!”

  After more cheering, and everyone took a long sip. She could hardly stomach more of the cold drink right now, and Maddie, seeing her expression, took her glass from her, setting it in a little cup holder to her right. Maddie put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, and eventually, finally, she began to warm up. Everyone was chatting around them, but she and Maddie stayed like that, she quiet and happy simply to be here with her. A little tremor of misgiving continued to try to intrude. Tomorrow, she thought, and then pushed it away from her mind. She needed to enjoy this moment.

  “You look incredible,” Maddie said, low enough that only she could hear.

  “Thanks. So do you.”

  Maddie lowered her voice, bending closer to her ear. “I hope you’ve saved a dance for me, Ms. Sands.”

  Her voice tickled her ear a little, and a flush of excitement raced over her. She tried to mimic her flirtatious tone. “My dance card is yours for the evening, Ms. Walker.”

  Maddie stilled for a moment, then shook her head. “No—I’m afraid not. I’ve already promised myself to some of the other women here. And to both the grooms, of course.”

  She pretended to pout. “Well, then, I’ll have to find someone to dance with myself, then, too. I want to drive you crazy with jealousy.”

  Maddie kissed her then, their pretending over, and she let herself sink into the sensation. Like their kiss at the festival, and many kisses before that, the world seemed to fade away. They might have been the only people in here.

  When she opened her eyes and they drew apart, she saw Stuart watching them. He appeared troubled, almost upset, but then he gave her a weak smile. She glanced up at Maddie, who’d also seen this exchange, and saw a similar worry pinch her lips and eyes. That earlier misgiving tried to steal into her heart, but Maddie’s expression cleared, and she gave her another quick kiss.

  Maddie had done all the work regarding decorations for the reception, and no one had seen any of it. She’d explained last weekend that because no other events had been scheduled recently, she’d been allowed to spend a great deal of time setting up. Already, as the limo pulled into the parking lot, Ryann could see that the outside of the barn had been festooned in thousands of red and white twinkle lights. The sun was still up, but the lights were visible, especially on this side of the barn. Above the door, the names Jai and Stuart had been spelled out inside a heart of lights that flashed on and off in strobing rainbow colors. Jai and Stuart positively squealed at the sight of it, Stuart leaning forward to slap Maddie’s knee.

  “I knew we could count on you to knock our socks off,” he said.

  “Wait ’til you see it inside,” Maddie said.

  A red carpet had been rolled out in front of the door, and the limo dropped them off there. After the men got out, Maddie climbed out and helped Ryann upright, her hand still much warmer than Ryann’s. They continued to hold hands all the way inside.

  The barn had been transformed. It had already been a lovely space, wide and open, but now, with Maddie’s attention, it had become a magical, Valentine’s Day fairyland. White and pink twinkle lights were wrapped around every single exposed wooden beam, up above and on the pillars throughout the barn. The tables were in contrasting colors, red and white, with beautiful white-and-pink flower arrangements on the red tables, and red and pink on the white. A smaller table was set up on a small platform opposite the others across the dance floor, where Jai and Stuart would sit, decorated with what appeared to be a linked chain of red, pink, and white roses. Heart-shaped balloons had been tied in enormous bunches to various places, flying high enough not to impede anyone’s line of sight, but bobbing merrily in the moving air of the crowd and warm air blowing out of the heaters.

  Guests followed almost directly behind them. Many in the crowd had taken the opportunity to wear somewhat outrageously colored suits and dresses, nearly everyone in Valentine’s Day reds, pinks, and whites. People were arriving in large batches, almost entirely from the buses, and almost everyone paused and gasped as they came inside, obviously blown away, like her, by what Maddie had done with the place. Jai and Stuart had kept their guest list on the smaller side, about eighty-five people and the wedding party, but it seemed like a sizable crowd.

  Three photographers swirled around the wedding party where they waited in the far corner of the barn. She felt a little like she was under the watch of the paparazzi with all the flashing lights. Some formal photos would be taken in here now as the guests enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, but Jai and Stuart had already told her that the process would be as brief as possible.

  She and Maddie held hands between each set of photos—grooms with the full party, grooms with the maids of honor, Jai and his sisters, Jai and Stuart with the sisters, then both sets of parents and individual photos with each set of parents. All of this was over very fast, and she was excused to join the festivities. She and Maddie wandered over to the bar.

  Erin and Darcy were there talking to the bartender, an employee of Erin, it so happened. The women were wearing matching red suits and white silk shirts. After exclaiming very loudly about the outfits she and Maddie were wearing, Erin pointed at the bartender.

  “I was telling Phil here that this is the only place allowed to have our Valentine’s Day beer for a wedding. Jai and Stuart don’t know how lucky they are. We’re almost sold out.”

  “Already?” Ryann said.

  Erin laughed. “Don’t worry. I gave the fellas a full keg. You can have as much of it as you want tonight.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” Maddie said. “I’ve seen the way Jai’s family drinks.”

  “In that case, give this lady a beer, Phil,” Erin said.

  Soon all four of them were sipping Cupid’s Kiss, Ryann now warm enough to enjoy it. Erin looked anxious, and she patted her arm. “It’s wonderful, Erin, just like last time.”

  Erin’s shoulders slumped, and she swiped at her brow dramatically. “Sorry. I always worry people will change their minds.”

  “When will you find out about the contest?” Maddie asked.

  Erin frowned. “Not until tomorrow.” She bit her lip. “I sure hope it’s as good as you two say it is.”

  Darcy rolled her eyes. “Hon—you have to let people like the things you make, and you have to learn to accept their opinions. You make the best beer in the whole state, maybe the whole world.”

  Erin grinned and they kissed, and she and Maddie took the opportunity to sneak a quick smooch, too.

  “Oh my God, you two are too, too cute,” Darcy said.

  “Who knew those retro outfits could look so hot?” Erin added. “I think you could walk onto the set of a BBC miniseries and replace any of the actors. Seriously.”

  A microphone squealed, making everyone flinch, and they all turned toward the sound. Jai’s sister Janet was the MC tonight, and she waved apologetically.

  “Sorry, everyone! I think we have it working now. Anyway, I’d like to introduce you all to the newest married couple in the room: Mr. and Mr. Jai and Stuart Aldridge!”

  Everyone clapped and shouted in happiness.

  “Jai’s changing his last name?” Ryann whispered.

  “Yes, he is.”

  She was surprised. Jai came from such a close-knit family, she’d imagined if either one was changing his name, it would be Stuart. Still, she could appreciate the symbolism, too. As so many people had pointed out to her, Stuart was all alone out here. By changing his name, Jai wasn’t necessarily leaving his family behind. They were making something new—a party of two. She started to tear up for the first time since the ceremony began and clasped Maddie’s hand all the tighter, blinking hard and swallowing the lump in her throat.

  Janet continued once the cheering had died down a little. “Dinner will be served shortly, so please take your seats.”

  The wedding party and the sisters’ significant others were seated together. Their table was next to the parents’, which also included the one attending grandparent and some of Jai’s aunts and uncles. Nearby, Erin and Darcy sat with a group of other women, all of whom set off Ryann’s gaydar, and she recognized a few of Jai’s cousins here and there throughout the room. Otherwise, this was a room full of happy strangers. She was proud of Stuart for making so many new friends. Once again, she was struck by how much better things were for him here than in New York.

  Everyone was given a glass of champagne or sparkling juice for the toasts later, and she decided to stick with her beer for the meal, as it went well with the steak medallions she’d chosen for her main course. Before the meal was set in front of her, she flashed back to the moment she and Maddie had chosen the food. They’d fought that day. She’d had to leave for London, and it had been difficult to tell Maddie about it. She glanced over at her, wondering if she was remembering that afternoon, too, but Maddie was talking to Jos’s husband, on her right. The two of them were laughing so hard they weren’t even making any noise—all squeezed up on themselves, mouths wide open, eyes pinched shut. Jos was staring at them, unamused, and when she spotted Ryann watching them, she shrugged.

  “It wasn’t that funny.”

  Jos’s husband—Bill? Bob?—clapped a hand on his wife’s shoulder and laughed even harder, sucking in great breaths, only to laugh some more.

  “Lawyer joke?” she asked Jos.

  Jos laughed. “Basically. I was just telling them about a client. He’s suing a lightbulb company for getting one stuck in his ass.”

  She couldn’t help her own bark of laughter, and soon the three of them were in near hysterics, Jos watching them with one eyebrow raised. Others at the table and the tables around them turned their way, which only set one or more of them off again.

  “Ooooh,” Maddie said, wiping her eyes. “Damn, that’s funny.”

  “If you like ass jokes,” Jos said, and Ryann nearly choked on her beer.

  “Sorry, sorry.” Jos continued. “I won’t say ass again.”

  “Thank you.” Maddie picked up her silverware. “I’d like to actually eat something.”

  They ate in relative silence, Ryann occasionally eavesdropping on one of the other sister’s conversations but not really joining in. Despite her continued attempts to push the intrusive thoughts away, her heart dropped every time she thought about tomorrow. She could hardly glance Maddie’s way, afraid, suddenly, that she would start crying.

  You got yourself into this, she told herself. Suck it up.

  Janet eventually excused herself to take one of the microphones up to Jai and Stuart. Since the wedding ceremony had been so impersonal, they’d saved their vows for now, and gradually the room quieted as the newlyweds stood up and moved to the front of their table, still up on the little platform so everyone could see. They were still wearing their flower crowns, and with the warm spotlight on them both, Ryann thought they looked marvelous together. Jai spoke first.

  “I want to begin by thanking everyone who took a workday off for our celebration today, and especially those of you who came from far away last minute to join us in our happiness. Thanks also to our families and our wedding party for supporting us throughout this adventure.”

  After a smattering of applause, he turned to face his new husband.

  “Stuart. When we met, exactly one year ago, I never imagined the kind of happiness I’d have here with you today. Growing up gay here wasn’t easy, and that was our first connection, since you came from a similar background. Then, as I spent more time with you, I realized there was more to us than that, and more to you than your handsome face.”

  Stuart broke into a wide smile, and they joined hands. Jai cleared his throat and swallowed a few times before continuing.

  “You are, to begin with, an amazing artist. Your work is breathtaking, and I’m proud to know that I’ll be the first person to see what you create next. You’re also incredibly loyal, and you’re fierce in that loyalty. I pledge to you my heart, my life, and my own fierce loyalty. And I know with you that I’ll be the happiest man alive.”

  After more wild clapping and shouting, it took a little longer for everyone to fall silent for Stuart’s speech. She could tell, however, that this was a good thing, as it took a couple of minutes for him to compose himself.

  During the pause, she and Maddie shared a long, piercing exchange, eyes locked. Both had tears streaming down their cheeks. Maddie grabbed her hand, squeezing it ostensibly to reassure her, but Ryann’s heart sank once again despite herself. As they stared at each other, she wondered how she could have allowed herself to think that she could accept what was about to happen to them. Still, they had tonight, and she wanted to enjoy it.

  Stuart cleared his throat. Even so, when he spoke, his voice was choked with emotion.

  “Jai. Oh, Jai. How can I even begin to tell you what you mean to me? A year ago, when I met you, I was so alone and so…afraid. I’d moved my life here, to this funny little town, but I was still outside of it, still removed. Meeting you last Valentine’s Day was like opening a window. The light came in, and I could see again.”

  He had to pause to wipe his face and clear his throat a few times, and Ryann heard several people around her sniffling, too.

  “You are, without a doubt, the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever met. In fact, when I first met you, I couldn’t even believe that what I saw in you—your actions, the way you treated others and animals, and a host of other things—was the real you. I couldn’t allow myself to hope there was someone like you in the world that truly liked me, too. I tried pushing you away, but that honesty—that character—that allows you to walk around in the world actually caring about everyone and everything, finally drew me back. Jai, I love you. I pledge to you my heart, my life, and my own attempts at honest caring. And I know with you that I’ll be the happiest man alive.”

  People rocketed to their feet with applause, most everyone crying as the newlyweds kissed and embraced. A sob broke loose from her lips, and Maddie, hearing it, pulled her close under one arm. Their eyes met again, and Maddie was clearly just as overwhelmed as she was. Ryann had never been this happy about anything, possibly ever.