“I do,” she replied. “I’m not all about pomp and ceremony. I’m not about anything other than a simple vow between the two of us.” And, with that, she turned and walked toward her place.
Dave looked at Bullard. “You still happy?”
“Insanely happy,” he said, with a big smile. “And you?”
“Very. It’s not what I expected either.”
“Maybe not, but I’m very happy for you. Unless you’ll leave Africa, that is.”
“Nope. I’m hoping to convince her to come live with me. But I’m trying not to push it.”
He laughed at that. “Right. Seems like we’re walking a delicate balance here.”
“And that’s okay too,” Dave said. “This has happened really quickly.”
“No, it hasn’t,” Bullard argued. “It’s been painfully slow, if you ask me. You’ve been a long time getting up to snuff.”
“Hey! You’re not the first person to tell me that though,” he admitted.
“Pretty soon you’ll be like I am, in a rush to make it official—to ensure she can’t change her mind.”
Dave smiled. “Is that what it is?”
“No, I don’t think so,” he replied. “I just want to know that it’s over and done with.”
“If you say so.” Dave smirked.
Bullard shook his head. “That’s not it either. I just want to begin my new life, with her, all properly wed in front of all of you.”
“I agree with that.” Dave turned toward the yacht. “Maybe I’ll head back out and check up on Katie.”
“You do that. We’ll work on the rest of these huts for the moment, but I really want to start looking at building plans soon.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“We’ve acquired quite a bit of property here, or we will have very soon,” he added. “I think we should build a small eco-friendly compound, hiring lots of the locals for the construction, as well as for maintenance and such, with everything digitally set up, so anyone can come at any time.”
“Yeah, I figured that would be next. We’ll need to take some measurements, get some topographical data, all while we’re here, so we can draw up the plans when we get back.”
“Yeah, we can do that—after tomorrow,” he said. “Getting married is really all I can think about.” And, with a big grin, he turned and headed up after Leia.
Chapter 10
The next morning dawned bright and clear. The wedding ceremony was set for nine in the morning, and Katie had been up for hours. By the time Dave got back on board again, he looked almost as rattled as she felt. He held out his arms; she walked into them and crashed.
“My God,” she said. “It’s always such fun, but it’s so much work.”
“But we’re almost there.”
“Damn good thing.” She laughed.
He looked at her and asked, “Anything else I can take down?”
She pointed to the stacks of food and dishes sitting on the side. “All of that needs to go.”
He nodded and headed down the dock with his arms full. After that, it went quickly, as everybody came to help. By the time it was all set up, Dave came back, held out his hand, and asked, “Are you ready? The ceremony will start soon.”
She nodded, her mind still on all the things that had to be done for the meals later in the day.
“It’s okay. Everything is set up.”
“Is it though?” she asked anxiously. “I know this is really important to Bullard.”
“What’s important to Bullard is the part that will happen in a few minutes,” Dave said. “The rest of it is not on his mind at all. I guarantee it.”
She looked up at him, smiled. “I get that, but at the same time—”
“Nope,” he said, “believe me. This is not Bullard’s worry. He probably can’t eat, before or after. Not that he doesn’t recognize all you’ve done here.”
And then she grabbed Dave’s hand, and together they walked around to make sure the reception area was ready. She had managed to weave the offerings from the islanders into her tables laden with her brunch menu, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Then they headed up to where Leia’s small cabin sat, where everybody waited.
Leia was inside, still hidden from view.
Katie and Dave followed the path to the edge of the water, where the actual ceremony would take place. Katie smiled happily. “It really is very stunning.”
“It is, indeed,” Dave agreed. “Now we’ll just step over here.” As they watched and waited, music started, an island melody. She realized that the islanders had come down with drums and were starting the ceremony themselves.
Katie laughed with joy as Bullard appeared, not in a tuxedo or in a suit, but in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, a huge grin on his face. Standing beside him wasn’t Dave or any of the guys from his team. It was Levi. She looked up in surprise at Dave.
“Levi is his best man,” Dave whispered gently.
“I’ve been so involved with the food that I never considered who was in the wedding party.”
And there, off to the side stood Ice, holding their toddler, who Katie hadn’t really heard any details about, and had yet to meet. As they waited, Leia slowly made the trip down the makeshift aisle in a simple sundress, colorful wildflowers in her hand, one of the elders from the island at her side.
Katie gasped in joy. “Look at that.”
“Nice and simple.” Dave nodded.
Leia wore one of her long flowing dresses, in a shimmery fabric, almost with a gold silken look. And then she stepped up next to Bullard, joining the minister who stood behind them up on the rocks and did the service. The sun played upon the ocean, as the water sparkled beside them, and a gentle breeze lifted the leaves around them, letting the women’s hair float softly, as spoken words and promises were made forever.
Katie squeezed Dave’s fingers. “It’s magical,” she whispered.
And, when the final pronouncement was made, Leia threw her arms around Bullard’s neck and hugged him close. He lowered his head and kissed her for all to see. The crowd burst into laughter and cheers, and finally the two stepped back, holding each other close.
Bullard said, “And that, my friends, is how it’s done.”
Ice chuckled. “Well, it is for some of us.” She walked over, kissed Bullard gently on the cheek, and hugged Leia. “Welcome to the family.”
Tears immediately sprang to Leia’s face. “Thank you. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anything nicer.”
“Bullard has been part of our family for a very long time,” Ice stated, “and we are so happy he found you.”
Just then Ryland stepped up to the newlyweds. “So”—and he looked at Bullard—“if you don’t mind.”
Bullard, with a big grin, swept Leia into his arms and moved her back a little bit, as Ice and Levi stood off to the side.
Ryland walked up to Tabi and held out his hand. “I asked you a question earlier.”
She nodded slyly. “You asked me to marry you, and I said yes.”