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“I guess it’s better I didn’t know. I’d have been a nervous wreck.”

“That’s one reason I kept it from you.”

“Why, were you nervous, too?”

He looks at me with a playful grin. “I don’t get nervous.”

The service starts, and I try my best to stay focused and concentrate, but it’s a lost cause with Walker holding me close and the gawking coming my way. By the time we say our last Amen, I’m on my feet.

Outside, we are swarmed with my parents’ friends as Mom introduces Walker. He remains at my side, patiently shaking hands and allowing her to tell the story of his arrival this morning. I give my dad a pleading glance, and he steers mom toward the car.

“Did you enjoy the service, Walker?” There’s a melody to her tone that makes me uneasy.

“It was nice.”

I know what’s coming, but before I can reach over and stop her, the words spill out of her mouth. “You know, Emerson has always wanted to get married in that church. She loves the natural light coming through the stained glass. It makes for beautiful wedding pictures.”

“Mom!” I cry in humiliation. That’s not true. My mom loves the natural light coming through the stained glass. She wants those pictures.

“Dawn, that’s not true. Emi wants to g

et married outdoors, preferably near the hunting camp,” Dad disagrees with her.

“Dad!” Heat flames up my face.

I start to rattle off numbers in my head, ticking off my fingers.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m figuring out the speed and our rate of velocity. When I jump out of this car, I need to be prepared for the impact, the tuck and roll, and the possibility of brain damage if I hit my head.”

The locks click, and I see Walker’s hand on the auto lock.

“You’ve always been theatrical. I thought maybe you’d grow out of it.” Mom waves me off.

“Gotta tell you, Walker, we’d almost given up on Emi. Twenty-seven years and she never showed interest in anyone after Shane.” Dad chuckles.

Walker’s head snaps to the side. His eyes find mine, and a frown etches on his face.

“Shane? Dad, really? You’re laying it on thick now.”

“It’s the truth. We were worried we’d never see another guy in your life.”

Walker’s jaw grows tight, the vein in his forehead bulging.

“You bring up my third-grade boyfriend, from eighteen years ago, who wasn’t even my boyfriend but the only boy on the street?”

“It’s been a while, Emi Leigh.”

Walker’s face relaxes, and the dimple pops as he catches on to my parents’ teasing.

“I agree. What’s a mom have to do to get grandchildren? I’ve been waiting a long time,” Mom adds with a serious face.

I drop my face to my hands and shake my head in effort to drown out their voices. They banter back and forth, using the closed confines of the car to mortify me.

“…then there was the time she tried to kiss that poor boy and he fled the backyard.”

“Mom, I didn’t try to kiss him!”