Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ELIZA

Even I can admit the yard looks perfect. Eden was gracious enough to hire one of my goat teams to clear the knotweed from the side lot, and Eva hung fairy lights among the hops plants and set up picnic tables until the entire scene could feature on a Hallmark movie. Very romantic.

My sisters roam around the yard with their various boyfriends and Eden's bee friends, the Honey Rollers. I promised I wouldn't pass out business cards or otherwise be pushy about my goatscaping business, so I'm parked on a bench with a fruity seltzer.

Eden waffled about telling our mom about the wedding, and we all encouraged her it was okay not to mention it. Mom isn't here for any of our yuck, and we don't need to invite her into our yay. Or something like that.

I smile at Nate shaking hands with his construction pals. Nate looks pretty nice in a button-down with suspenders and slacks. I realize Eden hasn't shown me her dress, and I can't decide if I should be insulted. But maybe that's what she was calling about the other week when I was out wrangling ruminants from the South Side Slopes. That was a good contract with the city. Very lucrative.

Esther appears on the back porch of the house. "Hey, everyone…"

There aren't too many of us, but my brother-in-law never misses an opportunity to whistle with his fingers. Esther gets all swoony when Koa puts his thumb and forefinger to his lips, and I try not to gag.

Esther grins. "Eden is about ready, so let's all take our seats."

My family crams onto the benches of the picnic tables, and Eden's friend Marsha taps a microphone she brought along for her role as officiant. Apparently, Marsha got ordained online just for the occasion.

I laugh when Marsha plays Tom Petty's "Honeybee," which is sexy enough that Nate's work friends actually blush behind their beards. But then Eden appears with her dark hair braided into a crown, wildflowers tucked into the plaits. Her dress is a cheerful lemon yellow—I guess it's more accurate to say honey -colored—and it falls to her mid-calf. She's barefoot beneath the ruffled skirt, and she holds a bouquet Eila put together for her with goldenrod, witch hazel, and purple asters.

My goats, penned in the back with the last of the knotweed, start to bleat, probably sniffing Eden's flowers. I shush them as my sister makes her way to her beau. Marsha smiles as Eden hands her bouquet to Eila, who sits back down, and then Eden clasps Nate's hands.

"All right, folks," Marsha says, her Minnesota accent adding a layer of charm to this already sweet backyard ceremony. "We're gonna keep this short and simple."

I'm distracted by my goats, who are increasingly agitated as Nate and Eden promise to look after one another and work on building patience and setting healthy boundaries. I stand to try to calm my critters before their guard donkey starts braying and ruining everything.

Just as I approach the pen, Chiron lets out a mighty wail and charges through the chicken wire. I look back in horror as Nate pulls Eden into his arms for a kiss. Ursula, my cranky nanny goat, butts Eden in the butt, pushing her closer to Nate, who just deepens the kiss as everyone laughs.

My face turns red, and I spew apologies. Just what I need, to ruin my sister's wedding with my unruly goats.

But Eden turns around, beaming, petting the black and white goat named for the sea witch. "We did it!" Eden shouts, and all the human guests cheer. I grab Ursula's collar to take her back to the pen, but I miss Cruella, who tears off down Kincaid Street toward Lord knows where. As I take off jogging in my sundress, I hear Eden telling everyone she thinks her wedding was perfect.

I guess some people have different standards.

When I return, goat in tow, the guests are stuffing their faces and debating going bowling. At least I don't have to wait around for a bouquet toss and an awkward promise that I'll be next. I tie the goats, grab a plate of barbecue, and take a seat next to Eva.

She knocks shoulders with me. "See how happy they are," she whispers, pointing her fork at the newlyweds.

She's right. Eden is glowing, and not just from the beeswax candles. Eila clasps hands with Ben, and Esther is draped all over Koa. My sisters seem to have found their place in this world and claimed happiness despite it all.

And I'm happy being the goat lady on the hill. I'm keeping things weird and living alone. Well… Alone apart from my goats. And a very agitated donkey.

As if I summoned him, Chiron brays, which Eden takes as a sign to kiss Nate on the mouth in front of everyone. And they all cheer. But I know why Chiron is actually howling, so I wander over to him with a sprig of goldenrod.

"Here you go, buddy," I say, patting him in between the ears. He licks my cheek, and I smile. This right here is enough. Everything is fine.

Thanks for reading Eden and Nate's story! Continue the Planted and Plowed series with Eliza's book, Yule Be Sorry .

Want more of Eden and Nate? My newsletter subscribers get a steamy bonus scene. Click here to sign up!