Chapter 2
Chapter Two
I’m getting married.
Finlay barely recognized herself in the mirror. The stylist had tamed her curly hair into glossy beach waves, her makeup was a little heavy (but that was for photographs, so she understood), and she wore an absolute explosion of a wedding gown.
Her best friend stood beside her. “You’re stunning. You know that, right?”
“Thank you.” Finlay reached for Willa’s hand. “I’m really doing this.”
Somehow, she’d made every dream on her vision board come true.
Well, not the kids. Not yet. But she and Matt wouldn’t wait even a day. She hoped to get pregnant on their honeymoon.
“All right.” Stella, the wedding planner, waved her hands. “It’s showtime.”
Willa smiled. “Let’s do this.”
Lifting the skirt of her dress, Finlay headed out of the dressing room with her bridal party, but just as she reached the door, she remembered the gift. “Oh, wait. Hang on a sec. I forgot one thing.”
“Are you serious?” Stella asked.
“What is it?” Willa asked. “I’ll take care of it.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s something I have to do.”
“Sweetie, you walk down the aisle in five minutes,” the wedding planner said.
“I know. I promise it won’t take me longer than that.” She just had to run to the car. Once they left, she dug her groom’s present out of her tote bag. Her heart did a little jig.
He’s going to love this.
Matt’s dad had passed away when he was a teenager, and he didn’t have much to remember him by. The one thing he’d always wanted was his dad’s watch. It had gone missing after the accident that took his life, and no one had been able to find it.
With permission from his mom to go through old boxes in the attic, Finlay found the purchase order and serial number, so she’d been able to track it down at an estate jewelry store in Spokane. She couldn’t wait to give it to him.
Tucking it under her arm, she hurried out. As she made her way along the empty hallway, she caught the hum of conversation in the church and the smell of pine and cinnamon from the candles for her winter wedding.
A frisson of happiness sped down her spine.
This is really happening.
She and Matt were two peas in a pod. They wanted the same things out of life: a home full of soccer shoes and holiday decorations and big family dinners. She wanted laughter around the table, toys in the bathtub, and the entire family smushed together in bed, reading stories.
All the things she’d never had growing up.
Hitting the lever of the side door, she stepped out into the frigid air of the Teton Range. Good thing Matt had parked his BMW right there. She opened the trunk to find it stuffed with their luggage. They’d spend their wedding night at the Homestead Inn, then leave for their honeymoon the next day.
She couldn’t wait to start her life with him. He’s going to be a great dad.
Out of nowhere, she got an unwanted flash of her childhood.
A boy with bottle-green eyes. Long, dark hair and scuffed motorcycle boots. In school, he’d revealed nothing. No emotion. No interest.
But the moments they’d had together were intense, fun, exciting. Her best childhood memories were with Jude. She’d thought there was a spark, a connection.
But she’d been so wrong.
Lesson learned.
He’s not mysterious… He’s just not into you.
And she needed a man who adored her. Who communicated with her.
No more crushes on wounded men.
Besides, it was a waste of time and energy to think about what might have been.
“Finlay?” The wedding planner leaned out of the doorway. “You coming?”
She gave Stella a thumbs-up and wedged the gift into the back of the trunk.
Something crinkled. That’s weird. She dug around and unearthed a wrapped present tucked away in the corner.
See how cute we are?
We both bought something for each other.
Peas in a pod.
Except…the wrapping paper had colorful balloons. It looked like something for a child. She shouldn’t do it, but curiosity got the better of her, and she tugged the white envelope out from under the red bow. Fortunately, it wasn’t sealed, so she pulled out the card.
Dear Chloe,
I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your birthday, but I promise to make it up to you.
Love,
Daddy
Daddy?
Her stomach plummeted, and she went lightheaded.
No, no. Don’t freak out. There’s an explanation.
There has to be.
But fear fractured her mind, and she couldn’t think straight.
She forced a few deep breaths.
Okay, wait.
Maybe it wasn’t Matt’s. He could be holding it for his sister. His brother.
A friend.
Sure, one of his friends.
But none of them were dads.
Look at the handwriting.
It was definitely Matt’s.
But he’s not a father.
Is he cheating on me?
He went on a lot of hunting and fishing trips with his friends, but he always sent pictures and texts. He always came home with stories and stinky clothes.
What about an ex? His only other serious relationship was with his college girlfriend, but they broke up six years ago and she lived in another state.
Just talk to him.
Now? Two minutes before walking down the aisle?
No, I’ll wait till we’re in the car, heading to the inn.
I’m not bailing on him because I found a present in his car.
That’d be ridiculous.
Closing the trunk, she hurried back inside, determined to put the gift out of her mind.
As she approached the bridal party, the wedding planner spoke quietly into her microphone, and the chamber trio launched into the processional.
Her best friend handed her the bouquet. “Everything okay?”
In the vestibule, with butterflies in her stomach and toes pinched by the fancy shoes her soon-to-be mother-in-law had gifted her, Finlay nodded and tried for a smile.
But as the maid of honor and best man made their way down the aisle, she grew more agitated. More anxious.
Her dad stood beside her. “You don’t look good.”
Finlay laughed. “Thanks, Dad.”
“You know what I mean. You’re beautiful, angel. But you don’t look happy.” He jingled the keys in his pants pocket. “Car’s outside.”
She wished so badly she hadn’t seen that present. But now wasn’t the time to talk about it. “I’m good.”
“You sure?” Her competitive, athletic dad took no crap. If she told him her concerns, he’d march right up to the altar and confront the groom.
She set her hand on his arm. “Positive.”
The wedding planner gave a nod, and they stepped into the church. Amid a shush of fabric, the congregants rose to their feet.
But she didn’t look at them. She was focused on her fiancé, who stood at the end of the aisle, watching her.
Are you lying to me?
Are you cheating?
Now that she’d had some time to think about it, she could say that, yes, Matt had been acting differently.
The other day, she’d looked out the window of their new home and found him on the walkway.
He’d been upset. She’d figured it was about work—there was always a crisis in the finance world—but instead of coming inside to tell her about it, he’d gotten into his car and driven off.
When he’d finally come home, he’d told her it was just some work thing.
But see, he never said, “work thing.” He told her every detail of his job as a wealth manager. She knew the lingo.
Still, she kept marching forward. She’d hear him out. He’d have a logical explanation—even if she couldn’t think of one herself.
Except… That was his handwriting.
No doubt about it.
But it was confusing because, as Matt watched her approach, he radiated pure happiness. He lowered his face into a hand and used two fingers to wipe away the tears.
He loves me.
He wants a life with me.
Her gut knew it.
So what’s going on?
A rustling sound caught her attention. She glanced over to see a mother struggling to keep her antsy child seated. As she slowly moved by, Finlay registered that the girl was trying to peel off her tights while the mom fought to keep them on.
As a kindergarten teacher, she was used to kids acting out. They often resisted wearing coats, shoes…anything that felt restrictive. She didn’t fuss over it.
Finally, she reached the altar. Her dad kissed her cheek and took his seat. Finlay handed her bouquet to Willa.
This is it.
No turning back.
The butterflies in her tummy turned to swooping bats. She pressed a hand to her stomach. But nothing felt right.
Everything was off.
The dress she’d loved and tried on a dozen times felt itchy. Her skin was damp. Hot. One of the bobby pins dug into her scalp just behind her ear.
“Good evening, everyone,” the pastor began.
But as he continued, Finlay could only hear a muffled murmur, as if the ceremony took place underwater. She was sweating now, and she thought she might pass out. The pastor kept talking, the congregants laughed every now and then, and her groom couldn’t keep the grin off his face.
Finally, Matt said his vows. He slid a ring onto her finger.
The gold was shockingly cold.
Only when he said, “I thee wed,” did the fog clear. Because it was her turn.
Unfortunately, her mind was preoccupied with balloons.
Love, Daddy.
Again, it was unquestionably Matt’s handwriting. He hadn’t written the card as a favor for a friend. He wasn’t helping a sibling.
No.
“And now, Finlay, you may say your vows,” the pastor said.
Instead, she turned to the congregation. “Is there a Chloe here?”
Strangely, her gaze landed unerringly on the little girl who’d won the battle over her tights. The one who stood on the padded pew and shouted, “I Cwowie.”
Finlay’s gaze shifted to the mother. She sucked in a harsh breath. “Your ex is here?” she asked Matt.
He jerked around. When he spotted the woman and her child, he let out a deep exhalation. His shoulders slumped.
“You invited her to our wedding?” she asked.
Instead of answering, he squeezed his eyelids shut. His head tipped back. “Fuck,” he whispered.
“Is Chloe your daughter?” she demanded.
His eyelids flew open. “Yes, but I can explain. It’s not what you think.”
“Yes?” Her dad shot out of his seat. “You have a daughter? What the hell are you talking about?” He made a beeline for the groom.
Matt’s mom popped out of her seat as if she could intercept Finlay’s burly dad. “We can talk about it later.”
“No, we can’t.” With her child in her arms, the ex hurried down the aisle. “I’m sorry, Finlay, but you deserve to know the truth before you exchange vows.”
Finlay turned to her groom for answers. “How long have you known?”
“I just found out. I swear.”
Love, Daddy.
No, he did not just find out.
“When?” she insisted.
“I told him three months ago.” The ex reached the altar and pushed through the throng of family and bridal party. “He said he wanted to be part of her life, so I moved here. We’re not together. It’s not like that. But he is her father. He took a DNA test.”
Finlay’s dad went ballistic, Matt’s mom tried to deflect, and Willa looked ready to punch the groom in the face. The guests were whispering, talking, and shifting in their seats.
Her vision went foggy at the edges, and a low current of energy buzzed in her ears.
Finlay slowly backed away. Unseeing, she walked to the back of the sanctuary and down a short flight of stairs. She pushed through a door and found herself in the frigid cold air once again.
Good thing she was numb. But as she looked around the parking lot, she realized she had nowhere to go. They’d just moved into the house together, so she couldn’t go there. Not yet.
So then, what? Where do I go?
Her mom’s apartment? Her dad’s? Just the thought sent a flood of unpleasant memories through her. No, neither of those places.
A roar of motorcycles invaded her thoughts.
Even though she hadn’t seen Jude in over a decade, she still thought of him every time she heard that sound. She looked for those intense green eyes inside every helmet.
But none of that mattered right now. She needed to go. She wasn’t about to steal Matt’s BMW or go back inside and pull Willa away from the melee.
Besides, she found herself drawn to the bikes. Gathering the tulle and silk of her gown, she started in their direction. A walk turned into a run when she realized the light would change, and the motorcycles would leave.
At that moment, they seemed her only solution.
The light turned green, and the engines sputtered and growled. And then, they were gone, their exhaust leaving plumes of white exhaust.
Except for one rider. He remained in the middle of the street, his eyes on her.
She knew him. Of course she did.
She would recognize the breadth of his shoulders, his muscular frame—that swagger—anywhere, anytime.
She walked right into the street and stood beside him, gazing at the face that still haunted her dreams.
“Need a ride?” he asked in that deliciously deep voice.
She nodded. But they both looked down at the billowing material of her seven-thousand-dollar gown—a gift from Matt’s mom. He pulled a knife from his boot and jerked his chin at it.
Finlay loved this dress. She’d been building a mood board of gowns for two years, but she’d never once imagined she could buy one from a couture designer like Knox Holliday.
It was truly the gown of her dreams.
But here’s the thing. Matt might have a very good reason for not telling me.
“I wanted to wait until after the wedding.”
Sure, she could see the logic in that.
Maybe. Kind of.
Actually, no. Not really.
“I didn’t want to ruin this special time for you.”
“I was waiting for the results of the DNA test.”
But he already had those. His ex had made that clear.
Nothing could excuse waiting three months to tell her life-altering news.
Finlay was sure some women could forgive what he’d done. Eventually, she probably could, too.
But she’d never trust him the way a woman needed to trust her spouse.
And so, she nodded, taking in those intense eyes and the thick beard that framed a full, kissable mouth.
He gathered the layers of material and plunged the blade in, hacking away until the bottom half dropped to the ground. Then he pulled off his leather jacket and held it open for her.
Turning, she slid her arms inside. It was warm from his body, and it smelled like woodsmoke and pine, like the crisp night mountain sky.
Finally, he peeled off his helmet and offered it. She didn’t know her hands were shaking until she pulled it over her head. Once she got it on and smashed all those pretty beach waves, she climbed onto the back of his motorcycle and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He twisted the throttle and shot forward.
She never once looked back.