Maizy the Bear Charmer(Diving Creek Ranch 16)(153)
Grace’s father-in-law, Joe Warner, joined them right then and asked Jean for a dance. Jean winked at her and gave her a parting kiss on the cheek before following Joe to the dance floor.
Maizy gathered her skirts and looked for her bears in the crowd, thinking how fortunate she was. Knowing the woman her men looked upon as their mother had given her blessing on their relationship meant so much to her.
She finally found them, clustered in a group with several other men, involved in what must’ve been a deep conversation, as riveted as Ethan, Ben, and Quinten were with what Cody was telling them. Ethan leaned forward and asked a soft question she couldn’t quite make out as she approached. Cody said, “Houston Texans,” as though it tasted terrible in his mouth. Maizy giggled, thinking that that rivalry had become the standing joke in their house.
Ethan, Ben, and Quinten all burst into loud laughter and Ethan finally said, “Well, you know what they say about a really good woman being capable of making you change your religion. I think maybe that applies to football teams, too.”
Cody smiled warmly at her as she drew near, good humor in his eyes as he said to the men, “You’re never getting me in a Texans jersey.”
“Never,” Heath vowed.
“Nope,” Spencer added with a shake of his head.
Ethan took out his wallet and held up a one hundred dollar bill. “Put your money where your mouth is, my friends. I give it a year.”
Having overheard the exchange, Grace chuckled and patted Cody’s shoulder consolingly. “You’re going down, gentlemen. What sizes do you wear?”
Ethan smiled at Maizy and reached out to hug her as she put her arm around his waist. “So what did you get for winning the bet, Maizy?”
Maizy giggled and said, “A lady never tells, Ethan. I just got married today. You wouldn’t want me to wind up in divorce court tomorrow for divulging secrets, now would you?”
“No, but I’m willing to bet that they enjoyed the payment on losing that bet as much as you did.”
“Let’s just call it a mutual win.”
Grace winked at her and said, “Did the bears tell you their news yet?”
“No. What?”
Grace smiled at Cody and said, “I’ll let them tell you. I’m dying to dance with someone.”
Ethan clasped his wife’s hand and said, “That would be my cue, gentlemen. Congratulations, Maizy.” He pecked her cheek and then slipped away with Grace to the dance floor while Ben and Quinten made their excuses and went in search of Camilla, arguing over who got the first dance.
“What news do you have to tell me?” Maizy asked as the three of them closed in around her, forming a warm cocoon with their warm hands and even warmer eyes.
Spencer said, “We passed the word to everyone here tonight through several reliable volunteers that the Memorial Rose Garden was in dire need of improvements and funds for maintenance. I shared the information that you shared with me about the garden’s origins and several people stepped up privately and contributed enough funds to more than cover the cost of the needed improvements, including lighting so the garden can be used more often for nighttime functions like our reception.”
“That does it,” Maizy said in a quivery voice and burst into tears.
“Honey!” Heath said as he cupped her cheeks and kissed her, obviously trying to make her feel better. “It’s okay.”
“I’m crying because I’m happy!”
“I know!” he said just as loudly. “But I don’t want you to cry.”
“Can’t help it,” she said with a sniffle when someone handed her a handkerchief. “I’m just so happy. Lola will be overjoyed.”
“Damn, guys!” Lucy said with a chuckle as she came up to them and elbowed an opening. “It’s a good thing they’ve already done the wedding pictures. Are you making my sister-in-law cry already?”
“We’re busy making her happy, woman,” Heath growled.
Lucy giggled and poked him in the chest. “I think Maizy needs to rename you Snappy Bear instead of Happy Bear.”
Maizy made a disgusted sound. “I never should’ve told you about that, Lucy. Sometimes you have no discretion. They were just telling me some good news that made me cry.”
“Oh, about the rose garden?” she asked with a wink to the men.
Maizy rolled her eyes. “I guess you know everything, don’t you?”
“Yup. I helped spread the word. It’s time for you to toss the bouquet. Let’s get your makeup touched up a little,” she said as she tried to extricate Maizy from the midst of her men but Maizy held up a hand to stop her. “Give me just a minute.”