Maximum Commitment (Sin City #13) - Tricia Owens Page 0,51

was under no delusions that this was Max’s style. He wasn’t even sure he’d choose it, either. It looked like the perfect setting for a square dance.

But the casual, simple feel of the space appealed to him on a basic level. A celebration held here wouldn’t be about impressing anyone. Guests wouldn’t speculate about how much money had been spent. The focus would be on the people sitting at the tables and on the small dance floor. Formal wear would be out of place, replaced by clothes better suited for comfort.

“The best part is still to come,” Alison promised them. She flashed her huge smile again. “This way!”

She led them onto another worn path between the grasses, this one leading them toward a smattering of sugar maple trees. The three of them crested a small hill and then—

“Now I get why my mom chose this place,” Ethan said.

Though it had been billed as a lake, it was small enough to be considered a pond. That didn’t detract from its charm. The sun glittered off its surface, dancing between the reflections of the blue sky and the puffs of clouds overhead, so that the pond resembled a painting spread over the grass. Cattail shoots formed a loose necklace around the water and golden pollen floated on the air like will o’ the wisps. Folding wooden chairs looped with white ribbons were placed in a semi-circle around one side of the pond. On the opposite side of the pond stood a little wooden dais bordered by stalks of pussy willow.

No archway. No trellis. Nothing decorated the dais because nothing was needed. Ethan pictured himself and Max standing there with the grass fields stretching out in one direction and the trees framing them gently in the other and he understood why the setting was special. It was a scene where nothing mattered except the vows made by two people as they stood beneath an open sky.

He let his eyes slide close for a few seconds when Max laced their fingers together.

“What do you think?” Ethan asked, leaning into him.

“I think it’s honest.”

Leave it to a man as eloquent as Max to find the perfect one-word description.

“This is nothing like Las Vegas,” Ethan pointed out. “Nor is it like London or Barcelona.”

“It’s not. The noise of the big city is stripped away, leaving me with only you.” Max squeezed his hand. “Believe it or not, I can appreciate when simpler is better, Ethan. I feel that way here.”

Ethan didn’t mention Max’s mother, or how his mother had managed to hide the fact that this place was rustic shabby chic to someone with Marcela’s refined tastes. Ethan figured his mom had worked some Voodoo to keep the truth of this place under wraps for so long. What happened when the truth came out and Marcela discovered the barn floor was made of dirt and that there would be insects in the grasses?

Maybe it was a concern best tackled later.

“You love it, don’t you?” Alison asked excitedly as she joined them. “Everyone does! But of course, we’ll make everything all about you. This will be your special day, no one else’s.” She reached for her messenger bag. “I have samples—”

“It’s alright, Alison.” Ethan waved off her surprise. “We’re leaving all the details to our mothers. Max and I will go along with whatever they select.”

“Oh.” She looked flummoxed. “Well, alright. That’s easy!” Her laugh was boisterous. “Of course, everything you’ve seen today is only there for display purposes. Your mothers have already purchased and rented several fabrics and decorations. The tablecloths, the—”

“Yes,” Ethan cut her off with a smile. “We’re aware of all that. Max here has been footing the bill for it.”

“We both have,” Max reminded him with a squeeze of the hand. To Alison he said, “We approve of everything. Please go forward with whatever plans you’ve made with our mothers.”

“You’ve got it,” she said cheerfully.

“Would you mind giving us a moment of privacy?” Max asked her with one of his devastating smiles.

Ethan pinched his lips to stop himself from laughing at her dazed expression.

“Um, sure. Absolutely. Whatever you like.” She stumbled off through the grass.

“I think she has a crush on you,” Ethan whispered as he slid his arms behind Max’s back. “Utterly shameful. We’re about to get married.”

“It appears I have no shame when it comes to my future husband.” Max tugged him closer. “Are you happy with this?”

“I’m happy with everything that’s entered my life since I met you.”

Max kissed his