Page 59 of Fern's Date with Destiny

His mouth twitched, the corner of it lifting.

She pressed her lips together to hold in the laugh.This man.This impossible, stubborn,wonderfulman.

“You may kiss the bride!”Malachi announced.

The crowd erupted.Rose and Chance turned to each other, the whole world narrowing into that first sweet moment as husband and wife.

And Cody…

Cody didn’t hesitate.

He darted around the kissing newlyweds, straight into Fern’s space, and swept her off her feet.

She let out a startled laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck as he spun her in a tight circle, the foyer blurring around them.

Joy poured down the stairs, danced through the archways, and mingled with the claps and cheers.

When Cody set her back on her feet, his hands lingered on her waist.

His voice was quiet, rough with feeling.“I love you.”

Fern closed her fingers around the front of his shirt.“Damn right you do.”

His smile flashed bright.“I don’t have a speech ready.Or a plan.But I have this.”

He opened the little box.

Inside, a slim ring gleamed.A simple band of white gold, nothing fancy.

She stared at it, her heart thudding so hard it hurt.

“You really want to do this here?”she whispered.

“Where better?”His voice cracked.“I’m done trying to pretend I don’t know what I want.”

Fern let out a breathless, wobbly laugh.“Are you going to ask me properly?”

His thumb traced her cheek.“Marry me?”

She didn’t need to think.She pressed her forehead to his, eyes closing as the last of her fear and sadness fell away.

“Yes.”

The cheering around them swelled until it felt as if the walls might burst.

He kissed her, soft and sure, and when they finally pulled back, she grinned at him through tears.

“Someday,” she said, voice low and shaking with joy, “we’re going to have a long talk about your sense of timing.”

“Deal,” Cody whispered.His hand tightened around hers.“But before we have that talk, you want to get married right now?Since everyone’s already here?”

A giant burst of laughter escaped her.She took a moment to catch her breath before turning to her father.

“Daddy,” she said, her voice strong.“Do you have a minute?”

Malachi examined her carefully as Rose and Chance crowded closer, eyes wide.

“Fern and I would like to get married,” Cody said, meeting each of their eyes squarely.“If Chance and Rose don’t mind us stealing a little of their thunder.”

“About time, you eejit,” Chance said, but his grin flashed as bright as the lightning outside the open door.Rose threw her arms around Fern, hugging her tight.

Malachi blinked then broke into a broad, astonished smile.

“Everyone stay put,” he called to the curious onlookers.“Seems we have one more celebration to complete.”

Outside, the rain kept falling.Inside, everything finally felt right.

Fern had met her destiny, and he was perfect.