his voice loud and projecting through the mic without an issue. “It’s so good to gather together as friends and family for the occasion of finally making my only single sibling into an honest man.”
Judge grinned at Mister, who shook his head, his own smile permanently stuck to his face.
“I’ve had the rare opportunity to know Mister for his entire life, and for those of you who haven’t, let me assure you that he has always wanted to live life to the fullest. When Dad asked for boys to go out to the Edge with him, Mister volunteered instantly. See, he thought there’d be cliffs, and he fully planned to jump off of them.”
Libby smiled at the man she loved, looking back over the altar as Bear came forward and took the mic from Judge. “Imagine his disappointment when it was just our land edged with a fence and then more Texas prairie beyond that. Needless to say, Mister wasn’t so quick to volunteer to go out there with Dad again.”
A few people in the crowd laughed, and Libby looked at Mister. He’d said Judge would give them a beautiful ceremony, and she did like hearing stories about him.
“Once, Mister came home from school with a rat for the weekend,” Bear said. “He was so excited, and Mother—well, I’m sure you can imagine how Mother felt about having that rat in the house.” He passed the mic to Ranger, one of Mister’s cousins, who grinned out at the crowd.
“When our barn cats got a whiff of that rat, they wouldn’t leave Mister alone. He wouldn’t leave the house without the rat in his shirt. I don’t know why he thought that could protect it from a mouser, but well, Mister’s always had a unique mind.”
His hand over hers tightened, and they exchanged a quick smile.
Cactus took the mic next. “The rat and Mister lost against the cats, obviously. Mother had to take Mister to school on Monday and explain to his teacher why sending a rat home with a farm boy was a bad idea. Then, much to Mister’s annoyance, he had to buy his teacher a new classroom pet with his allowance.” He chuckled right into the mic, and Libby did too.
“Then, Mister came home with a girl, and he told Mother and all of us that she was his absolute best friend and we better be nice to her.” Cactus looked at Libby, and her whole chest constricted. “Mister has always been extremely protective of Libby, and while I’m not sure he tried very hard to save that rat, he sure has—and will—fight for Libby.” He pressed one fist to his chest, right over his heart, as she’d seen the Glovers do for one another in the past, and looked between them.
“Mister knows how to fight for what’s right, and for what he wants. He never has shied away from those hard conversations, and he inspired me to make changes in my life, even if I’ve never told him and he didn’t know until this moment.”
Mister fisted his right hand and put it over his heart too, and Cactus passed the mic to Jack, Libby’s oldest brother.
Anxiety filled her, because her siblings had not spoken to her about this. She had no idea what was about to come out of her brother’s mouth.
“Liberty is the youngest in our family,” he said. “But she has never been the quietest or the meekest. While Mildred let me and Cord talk for her for months, Libby always made her voice known. She loves Texas, and she loves the land, and she loves a cowboy. She always has.” He looked at Mister, his smile brotherly and kind. “She has a special spirit that can’t be lassoed and brought to the earth, but I think she finally found the cowboy who’ll let her be who she’s meant to be.”
He passed the mic to Cord, who stood behind the altar as if he’d marry them. “I think Libby’s been in love with Mister for longer than any of us know. In high school, the two of them were inseparable, and when she didn’t have a date to the prom one year, I asked her why Mister didn’t take her. She rolled her eyes—actually rolled her eyes—at me, and said she and Mister were just best friends. I think it’s such a blessing to be able to marry your best friend, and I’m glad Libby and Mister are finally getting that opportunity today.”
Mister leaned down