Wildly, Boldly (Return to Culloden Moor #4)

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

#AlaskaLife #GhostHunting #WhenYouKnowYouKnow #BrideToBe

“ T hree weeks?” Whitney stared at Sophie across the lodge’s front desk. “You want to plan a wedding in three weeks?”

“Why not? You and Darrow did.” Sophie grinned. “Besides, when you know, you know.”

“She has a point,” Darrow called from where he was helping Johnny program his robot’s new stabilizers. “Though in our case, I’d been dead for three hundred years. Gave me plenty of time to think about it.”

“Not helping, love.” But Whitney was already pulling out her wedding planning notebook. “You’re sure about this? Really sure?”

Through the window, Sophie could see Wyatt checking the generator again. After last night’s encounter with the dancing spirits, he’d been quieter than usual, processing. But every time he caught her watching him, his smile held something new— like maybe the world was bigger and more wonderful than he’d thought.

“I’m sure.” Sophie turned back to Whitney. “I’ve spent my whole life chasing the next story. For once, I want to start living one.”

Whitney’s expression softened. “Well then, let’s make it happen. Though we’ll need help.”

As if on cue, Mrs. Swenson from the general store bustled in, arms full of bridal magazines. “I heard the news! Now, I’ve already called my cousin who does flowers, and Brynn Hollis said you can borrow her wedding arch...”

“Word travels fast,” Sophie murmured to Whitney.

“Small town.” Whitney’s eyes sparkled. “Though to be fair, most of us have been planning this since your second week here.”

“What?”

“Who do you think’s been keeping track of the betting pool?”

Before Sophie could process that, Lidia Cruz arrived with fabric samples, followed by Professor Manning clutching a book about traditional Alaskan wedding customs. Soon the lodge’s main room was full of people offering help, suggestions, and congratulations.

“Bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

Sophie turned to find Wyatt beside her, watching the growing chaos with amusement.

“A little.” She leaned into him. “We could still elope.”

“And deny Mrs. Swenson her moment of triumph? She’d never forgive us.”

Through the happy commotion, Sophie caught Whitney’s eye. The older woman’s expression was knowing as she watched them—like she’d seen this story before, maybe lived it herself.

“Oh!” Lidia exclaimed suddenly. “You have to spend your wedding night at the haunted hotel in Juneau! It’s supposed to be incredibly romantic...and haunted.”

“Absolutely not,” Wyatt said firmly.

“Actually...” Sophie grinned up at him. “After what we saw last night, can you really claim there’s no such thing as ghosts?”

He sighed the sigh of a man who knew he was fighting a losing battle. “I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.”

“Never.” She stretched up to kiss his cheek. “Besides, think of it as our first official investigation as a married couple.”

“Is that supposed to make it better?”

“Come on, Ranger Grump. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

His laugh surprised them both. “I think you stole it. Along with my peace and quiet.”

“Fair trade for your heart?”

His expression softened into something that made her breath catch. “More than fair.”

Around them, wedding plans continued to unfold. Whitney and Mrs. Swenson debated flower arrangements while Johnny attempted to measure the aisle. Professor Manning had cornered Darrow with questions about traditional Scottish wedding customs, and Lidia was already planning ghost tours themed around romance.

“You know,” Wyatt said quietly, “we don’t have to do all this. Could keep it simple.”

Sophie watched her new family—because that’s what they were—working together to create something special. “Actually, I think this is perfect.”

Because maybe this was what home meant. Not just a place, but people who cared enough to help write your story.

Even if that story involved ghost hunting equipment at the wedding reception.

“Though we should probably warn the minister about the EMF meters,” Wyatt mused.

Sophie laughed and pulled him into the happy chaos. They had a wedding to plan, mysteries to solve, and a lifetime of adventures ahead.

And she couldn’t wait to get started.