Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
AUGUST, ONE YEAR LATER
I wake cradled against Hutch’s chest with sunlight filling the cabin. He caresses my arm, his touch gentle, unhurried. I snuggle closer to him, gratitude welling up inside me.
“Morning, sweetheart,” Hutch says, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I caress across his chest to his shoulder and release a happy sigh. “Been awake long?”
“I’m too excited to sleep.” He pulls me on top of him, sending little sparks dancing over my skin. He sweeps my hair to one side and strokes down my back. His erection thickens against my belly. Even though he kept me up half the night, renewed desire is stirring in my core.
I prop my chin on my fist. His face has that morning stubble that makes him look every bit the cowboy hunk I fell for so long ago. “No cold feet?”
His eyes turn fierce with so much love. He caresses my cheek. “I cannot wait to marry you.”
My heart flutters into my throat. Waiting for him has been like an endurance test, full of challenges, but we’ve made it. There were moments where I wanted him home so badly I didn’t think I could stand another day, but then he’d call me or one of his letters would arrive, and the burden wouldn’t feel so impossible.
“I love you.”
His eyes still. “I love you so much. I can’t wait to see you walk down that aisle.”
“I’m pretty excited to see you waiting there for me.”
He rolls us over and kisses me softly. “We’ve only got an hour until they’re gonna whisk you away. Think we can make good use of that time?”
My pulse thumps lower in my core and a sweet ache washes through me. I caress down his chest to where he’s thick and hard. “I’m counting on it, Hutchins.”
Kirilee snatches up a tissue and dabs her eyes. “You’re so gorgeous.”
Sofie fans her face, blinking away tears. “You’re going to ruin my makeup.”
I pluck the tissue hidden in my cleavage and dot the corners of my eyes. “Stop, both of you, or I won’t be able to leave this cabin.”
“Okay, okay,” Sofie says, huffing a quick breath, her soft blue eyes so bright. “But first, we got you a little something.”
“You guys have already done so much,” I say, giving them both a pleading glance. From planning the fun bachelorette party in Coeur d’Alene, complete with trail rides and dancing and a luxurious afternoon at the spa while Zach and Sawyer pulled Dad duty, to helping me with wedding details and being there for me during Hutch’s final missions when I worried myself sick, I couldn’t have made it to this day without them.
Sofie slips a small package from her bag. “It’s your big day, you’re getting gifts!”
I pull her to me for another hug, savoring her kindness and the unshakable friendship we share. “I’m so happy for you, Aves,” she says, her voice turning squeaky.
We both start to cry, which makes us laugh. Kirilee comes in to sandwich me, wrapping her arms around us both. “I always knew this day would come.”
This makes me laugh harder, and it feels so good to not have to hold it in. “Even after Sofie and Zach’s wedding?”
“Especially after that,” Kirilee says. “He was in love with you then, he just didn’t trust it.”
“I was scared of falling for him, but by then, I already had.”
“This is going to be the best day ever!” Sofie says.
“Okay, open your present.” Kirilee steps back, dotting her eyes with a fresh tissue.
I gulp a steadying breath and lower onto the settee, being careful with the thick satin of my dress so it doesn’t wrinkle. Kirilee sets the box on my lap and sits opposite, next to Sofie.
I tug apart the cream-colored bow, then tease open the lid. Inside, nestled on a satin pillow, is a gold bracelet interspersed with heart-shaped peridots, my birthstone.
Fresh tears prick my eyes as I gaze at my friends. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Kirilee claps while Sofie dabs her eyes. “There’s more.”
I try to smile but there’s too much emotion bubbling up inside me. “You guys, really?”
“Really!” they say.
“First, can you help me put this on?” I ask.
Sofie reaches over and slides the bracelet onto my wrist, then fastens the dainty clasp.
“It’s so pretty,” I say, admiring it in the sunlight. The peridot hearts glimmer like emeralds and the gold chain feels feminine and sleek on my wrist.
Kirilee replaces the open box on my lap with a black gift bag adorned with the shiny, gold Luxe & Lush logo .
“Uh oh,” I say with a giggle. “What kind of trouble did you two get into?”
“The fun kind,” Kirilee says with a wink. “Go on.”
I part the tissue to find something silky in the most gorgeous shade of blue. “Oh wow,” I say, lifting the silk negligee by its spaghetti straps. It’s simple and classy and I can’t wait to wear it—though when Hutch sees it, I don’t think I’ll be wearing it for very long. I smile to myself as an eager little fire for our first night together as husband and wife begins to glow inside me.
Beneath the tissue is a new bottle of the salted caramel lube we’ve all come to love.
“Not exactly old, but,” Sofie says, giggling, “an old favorite counts, right?”
“Last one, but it’s actually not from us,” Kirilee says.
I give them a curious glance, and from the look on their faces, I think I know what’s waiting for me in the bottom of the bag.
I reach down and clutch my fingers around the soft, thin cotton, then press it to my nose, hoping for a hint of what I’ll always remember about Louisa. Fresh strawberries and sweet alfalfa, loamy earth and cinnamon.
“I miss her so much,” I say, and press the hankie to my eyes.
It happened on a Sunday last February. Thankfully Hutch was home visiting, and Thea was able to get there in time. Louisa passed peacefully, surrounded by her children and the animals she loved so much.
Sofie draws me gently into a hug. “We miss her too.”
“But you can bet she’s here with us today,” Kirilee says through her tears. “She’ll be sitting there in the front row and dancing with us all night.”
“You’re right.” An image of Louisa tearing up the dance floor in her cowboy boots and a revamped thrift store gown flashes in my mind, making me laugh.
“It’s okay to be sad,” Sofie says. “Louisa wouldn’t want it to bring you down, though. Not today.”
I dab my eyes one last time and nod. “Exactly. She was so…happy for us.”
“She still is,” Kirilee says, giving the heavens a knowing grin.
A shaky sigh escapes my lips as I fan my face. “Not sure how I’m gonna get through this day without crying every five minutes.”
“It’s your day, you get to feel all the big feelings,” Kirilee says, rubbing my lower back.
I draw in a steadying breath. Though the pain is raw and sharp, so is the joy.
A soft knock on the door breaks us apart. “Thea’s quartet is ready to rock,” Beth says, leaning in, “and guests are—” Her mouth hangs open for an instant and her dark green eyes turn glassy. “Oh my God, Ava, you look so beautiful.”
Fresh tears prick my eyes. “Thank you. You look so pretty too.” I open my arms and she rushes into the room, wrapping me up in a fierce hug. We embrace for a long moment.
“I love you, sis,” Beth whispers in my ear.
“Love you back,” I say, and kiss her softly on the cheek. It’s taken patience and gentle determination to break through her walls, but we’ve grown close since Hutch and I made these plans, and I’m so grateful.
“Ava?” My mom peeks into the room.
“Come in!” Sofie hurries across the cabin.
My mom takes one look at us and snatches a tissue from a nearby box. “Here I was doing so well, but seeing all of you…so grown up and beautiful…”
Sofie hugs my mom. “You’re beautiful too, sweet Mama.”
After a quick hug from Kirilee, Mom draws Beth close, her eyes fluttering closed for an instant, then my bridesmaids bounce from the room.
“See you at the altar!” Sofie calls over her shoulder. Beth shoots me a sassy wink before closing the door behind them.
My mom and I are just finishing touching up my eye makeup—hopefully our photographer can work some serious magic because my eyes are a lost cause—when Dad knocks on the door.
Flutters tickle up my chest. My mom smiles, her eyes glistening. “Ready?”
I gulp a steadying breath, then take her hand. “Yeah.”
Outside, my big, tough dad, looking dapper in his suit, gives me a proud smile. “So beautiful, Ava girl.” He offers me his arm, but I dive in for a hug instead.
He wraps me in his arms and rocks me. “I’m so proud of you.”
I smile into his shoulder. “For getting married?”
“For being you,” he says, and kissing the top of my head. “For loving and caring for the people in your life the way you do. And for pursuing your dreams and not taking no for an answer.”
“I get that from you, Pops,” I say with a laugh.
“And…for giving me a son,” he adds, his tone turning gruff.
The two of them still butt heads, but as Evergreen Hospital’s newest paramedic, Hutch and my dad have found some common ground, plus Hutch has already made some much-needed improvements to the search and rescue organization, like technical training and streamlined communication with Fish & Wildlife, Finn River Ranch Security, and the sheriff’s department.
Dad kisses my forehead. “Congratulations.”
I take both of their hands and together, we walk down the forest path. Ahead in the clearing, the rows of guests face the simple arch that frames the rocky peaks and spires of the Bitterroots jutting into the blue sky. I savor the crunch of pine needles beneath my shoes, the warm sunshine on my shoulders, and the love that’s surrounding us.
The photographer’s shutter clicks, but I’m focused on the man standing tall and proud beneath the altar, waiting for me.
When I enter the clearing, the guests stand in welcome, but I only have eyes for the man I’ve loved for so long.
His eyes sparkle with so much joy and a hint of that tender yearning, reminding me of that night over a year ago when he shared his deepest fear .
Hutch shakes his head, as in disbelief, and presses a hand to his heart, his fingers clenching into a fist. I love you so much , he says silently.
I love you , I whisper, my heart feeling so full it just might crack in two.
From behind him, Zach gives Hutch’s shoulder a firm squeeze.
Hutch grips it, his eyes locked on me.
Thea lifts her bow to her strings and together with the quartet, begins to play the wedding march. Mom dabs her eye and Dad puffs out his chest, and then they walk me past the friends and family who jumped at the chance to celebrate this day alongside us.
At the end of the rows, I hug my mom and dad, then take Hutch’s hand, stepping into the future that for so long, I didn’t allow myself to wish for.
I wrap my arms around my husband’s neck as we sway to the music. He pauses to kiss me, his lips so soft. He caresses down my back, his touch lighting up my skin.
“I don’t want this night to end,” he says, resting his forehead on mine.
“I think everyone’s had a really good time,” I say as he slowly twirls me around, the bright colors of the sunset becoming a blur.
“Best night of my life so far,” he says, pulling me closer.
“So far, huh? You have plans for later?”
He kisses to my ear. “So many plans, sweetheart.”
I comb up the back of his hair and press a kiss to his lips. “Stop it or you’re going to get me too excited and I’m not done dancing.”
“I like getting you excited.”
I laugh and he nuzzles my ear, sending tingles down my spine. “I’ll bet you do.”
The song ends, replaced by the opening notes of a catchy tune. Our friends crowd in, and soon we’re all jumping around and laughing together. As Zach twirls me, I catch sight of Everett and Vivian talking together outside the fray. Vivian laughs at something he’s said, making her shy face light up. Then Sawyer spin me and I lose sight of them.
For a while, I thought Vivian and Sepp might be falling for each other, but then Sepp brought his boyfriend Hudson to our summer picnic and a lot of things started to make sense—starting with that curious look Cam gave me at Louisa’s that night because duh, Sepp liked guys. Why hadn’t I put it together sooner?
But I wonder how he’d feel about his big brother getting fresh with his dear friend Vivian?
I search the crowd, skipping over Thea and Dylan playing a game of tonsil hockey while they slow dance to a beat all their own, my parents dancing western swing, Cam and Wilder taking turns twirling Beth, to where Sepp and Hudson are jumping around with Skye and Elliot, their smiles lighting up the dance floor.
Hutch steals me back, pulling me close, his hands on my hips. “The natives are getting restless,” he says in my ear.
I laugh. “Weddings can have that effect on people.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
He laughs and nibbles on the edge of my ear. “I can’t wait to make new memories with you later.”
“That makes two of us.”
After the song ends, I migrate to the bar to guzzle some water when Vivian joins me, her purse in hand. “I have to get home to my sitter. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
I pull her into a quick hug. “I’m so happy you came. Did you have fun?”
She glances to a point behind me, making me turn. Everett is talking with Zach, but his attention is locked on Vivian.
Vivian breaks away to smile at me. “I had a great time.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Does a certain Finn River Deputy have anything to do with it? ”
Her cheeks flush. “We just danced.”
“You guys looked pretty cute together.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t.”
I’m about to ask what exactly she can’t when she gives me another quick hug. “Thanks again,” she says, then slips into the crowd.
Hutch comes in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “There’s my gorgeous wife.” He plants a kiss to my temple. “Dance with me.”