Chapter 42
42
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Logan stood on the porch, his smile wide as he watched Vivian drive up, her eyes bright when they landed on him. He’d anxiously waited for her to return, his surprise burning a hole in his pocket. As she walked to the steps, he rushed down, picking her up, swinging her around, his lips on hers.
Finally setting her down, he grabbed her laptop bag from her shoulder and carried it toward the front door before taking her hand and leading her to the porch swing. He had gladly added it to the porch when she moved to Montana so she could enjoy the sunrises from their bedroom and the sunsets from their porch. Sitting down, he settled her next to him, tucking her in closely.
“Have a good day?”
Smiling, she replied, “Got the exams graded, and all semester grades are in. So I’m a free bird until next fall.”
Taking a job with a university less than two hours away, she made the drive three days a week, teaching biology classes and working with the Public Administration degree program as a Homeland Security Adviser.
“How was your day?”
“Two security system jobs came in, and the governor is requesting a security specialist to travel with his daughter on a scholarly trip.”
She looked around, her brow furrowing. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Most headed to the bar in Cut Bank. It’s Friday night, and no one is away on an assignment right now, so I gave them all the evening off.” He leaned over, unable to stay away from her lips a second longer. He mumbled against her soft skin, “You’re officially on vacation?”
“Mmm,” she muttered in reply, her eyes closing.
He leaned back, chuckling at her pout when the kiss ended. “Sorry, babe, but I have something to do, and I can’t really do it justice when my lips are on yours.”
He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a ring… a beautiful solitaire, simple and elegant. She gasped, her eyes filling with tears as he slipped the ring on her finger.
“I want you to be my wife, Vivian. I promise to always be by your side and never want to skate on thin ice by myself again.”
The tears sliding down her cheeks were gently wiped away, and she smiled. “Absolutely yes!”
Her arms encircled his neck as he pulled her close, his lips finding hers once more.
Two Months Later
Logan stood underneath the white party tent erected at the edge of his deck. He had no idea what a party tent was until Mary had insisted that he and Vivian would need one when they held the wedding ceremony. Vivian had protested, saying she didn’t need a large wedding, but by the time they’d planned the invitations, it appeared the wedding would be larger than they’d initially envisioned. And that was fine by him.
And with Mary planning with Vivian, and Bert eagerly adding in his logistic expertise, they were now all under the tent massive enough to cover them all.
He stood at the front and looked out over the gathering seated, his lips curving at the sight while his stomach fluttered with unaccustomed nerves. Most he knew well, and those he didn’t—the family, and former and present coworkers of Vivian’s—he’d met at the gathering last night. They’d shunned the traditional bachelorette and bachelor parties and invited guests to the town bar for a get-together. His parents had insisted on helping with the costs since there was no rehearsal dinner. He had wanted to refuse until his sister pulled him to the side and told him, in no uncertain terms, to stop being stubborn and to let them have their moment.
After seeing his parents mingling with the guests last night, he was glad he’d listened to his sister. His dad had pulled him to the side and clapped him on the shoulder. “Your granddad would be proud of you, son. Lord knows your mom and I are.”
Now, standing before the gathering, his gaze swept over the guests he knew well and was proud to call friends. Former SEAL buddy Bart Taggart and his wife, Faith, had made the trip from Virginia, along with Bart’s boss and leader of the Saints Protection Investigation group, Jack Bryant and his wife, Bethany.
Mace and Sylvie Hanover flew in from Maine, along with Marc Jenkins and his wife, Kendall. He’d met the two of them when they needed a rescue from the Canadian wilderness during a storm. Vivian had been thrilled to see Kendall again, and the two biologists spent time the night before catching up. He had a feeling that he’d be seeing more of them in the future.
The West Coast Keepers also made an appearance, led by Carson and his wife, Jeannie. Jeb Torres and his wife, Skylar, who Logan met when he assisted with her rescue were also in attendance.
Then his gaze landed on the men and women in the front rows. Landon, Cole, Frazier, Dalton, Cory, Casper, Todd, Timothy, Sadie, Bert, and Mary.
And standing by his side were Sisco and Devil. They’d been through fire and hell, only to have risen again in triumph. The night before, Devil had taken him aside at the bar to once again thank him for saving his life. He’d gripped his friend on the shoulder and was ready to tell him that no thanks were needed. But then Sisco joined them, and he knew he needed to do the same— after all, Sisco had saved them both.
In the past couple of years, his life had changed irrevocably… and for the better. His life, which had felt halted when he was injured and left the SEALs, was now reborn into a new world of camaraderie and purpose. He’d gotten to know each of his Keepers, certain down to his very marrow that he had the best crew he could ever work with.
But all those thoughts faded away when Vivian appeared at the back of the tent in a white dress that trailed her. She was a vision of lace and silk, and his breath halted on its way to filling his lungs. Her lush black hair was pulled back from her face with a clip that held a lacy veil. And in her hands was a bouquet of native wildflowers that complemented her more than a mass of roses would have. She was gorgeous, and feeling lightheaded, he remembered to let the air out and suck it in again. He never knew the act of breathing could be so difficult to remember and perform.
By the time she made it to him, he had reached out and took her hand in his, guiding her to his side, now feeling whole as their linked fingers joined them. When he turned to face the minister, his gaze lifted to the mountains in the background. The light tower was prominent, the tangible evidence of its ability to guide others to safety. The same motto he and his fellow Keepers had taken and adhered to. Theirs wasn’t a job or even a career… it was a calling.
Turning back to Vivian, he shared her smile before they began their vows. The ceremony was simple, and while he would like to say he remembered each word, it mostly passed quickly, and before he knew it, the minister declared them husband and wife.
As he pulled her into his arms, he kissed her deeply. It wasn’t their first kiss, nor would it be their last. But it was the one he would remember for the rest of his life.
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Sisco