"I
want to thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
"Stormy, you created us," Marc said. "We always have time for you."
I
couldn't help but smile. I adored these two. They had a special place in my
heart, especially Happy. He had been through so much. It was good to see him
with such a joyous smile on his face. "Well, I just wanted to check in and see
how things are going for you two. Do you have any special plans for New Year's
Eve?"
"Marc is taking me to that fancy new restaurant in Cade Creek," Happy said. He
leaned forward and whispered like it was a huge secret. "It's like a date except
not because we're already together. Marc says even if we love each other, we
need to spend special time together."
"I
agree." I shot Marc a quick look, the smile on my lips broadening. The adoration
on Marc's face as he gazed up at Happy made me glad I had put these two men
together. They were good for each other. "So, tell me, how were your holidays?"
An
excited glint sparkled in Happy's eyes. "We had our first Christmas together.
There were so many presents and food." Happy rubbed his stomach with a satisfied
sigh as if remembering the food. "Billy and Rourke came over the day before and
we made pies and cookies and fudge. And then after we opened our presents we
went out to the Blaecleah ranch for Christmas dinner. Ma and Da Blaecleah said
we got to be there because we were family."
"Did you have a good time?"
"We
did," Happy replied. "I love going out there. No one looks at me funny or says
bad things when I want to hold Marc's hand." As if to prove his point, Happy
reached over and grabbed Marc's hand.
“Oh,we got mama a Snickerdoodle."
Marc patted Happy's thigh. "Honey, the puppy was Labradoodle."
Happy stared for a moment as if thinking hard, and then slowly shook his head.
"No, I'm pretty sure it's called a Snickerdoodle. The darn thing weighs like two
ounces but thinks its two hundred pounds. Makes me snicker every time I see it
so it's got to be a Snickerdoodle."
"I
stand corrected." Marc's laughter was a full-hearted sound. "It was a
Snickerdoodle."
Happy grinned. "Told you."
"So, any new year's resolutions?"
Happy's eyebrows shot up. "New year's what?"
"Any great plans for the new year?"
"We're getting married." Happy held up his hand, which still ported the class
ring Marc had slid onto his finger when they became engaged. "Valentine's day.
Marc says it's a special day for people in love and since he loves me most, we
should get married that day."
I
couldn't argue with that.
"All of Cade Creek is supposed to be there," Happy said. "We're inviting
everyone."
"That's a lot of people."
"That's why we're having it in the park in the middle of town," Marc said.
"Happy wanted everyone to be able to come and celebrate with us so we decided
the park was the best place for the wedding."
"You'll be there, won't you?" Happy asked.
I
watched Happy's exuberant face with amused wonder. "I wouldn't be anywhere
else."
Happy smiled as he snuggled against Marc. "That would make me very happy."
"But don't forget," Marc said as he wiggled a finger at me. "Tell your readers
if they want to join us, they'll have to read the book."
I
laughed. "Now you're a promoter?"
Marc winked at me. "It's the only way for them to find out how Happy got so
happy."
~ The End ~
See how Marc and Happy got together in
Happy's Ever After (Cade Creek 1)
Happy O’Brian spent the better part of his
life isolated from the rest of the world. He was told he was evil down to his
soul. It was physically beat into him on a daily basis. He lived with it,
believing that his ultra conservative religious grandparents were right until
the day his mother was attacked. Seeking help changed Happy’s life in ways he
could never imagine and showed him a world he didn’t know existed.
Answering a disturbance call, Deputy Marc
Walker meets a man that shocks him with his gentleness. When he discovers
Happy’s true nature, Marc wants to know everything about the man. He wants to
show him the world.
When the past rears its head, and their
lives are put in danger, Happy tries to do the right thing and distance
himself from his handsome deputy. But Marc has other plans for his gentle
giant and he’s not going to let a little thing like getting shot or having
escaped prisoners gunning for them interfere with those plans. Happy will get
his happy ever after. Note: Some
graphic depiction of extreme violence against the hero when he was a minor.
http://www.stormyglenn.com/happyseverafter.htm |