Chapter 38
L auren's words hung in the air. I love you and I would love to marry you, but I can't.
It wasn't a rejection. He could see the love in her eyes as she looked at him. But her answer landed heavily in his chest.
She took his hand. "I can't give you an answer until I ask Jetter if he'd like me to join your family.
It wasn't only you I fell in love with over the summer.
I've come to love your son, too. I respect what you two have built.
The bond you've created. I don't want to step into your family without knowing he's okay with me marrying you.
I couldn't live with myself if I hurt either of you. "
Mac's throat tightened. She meant it. This wasn't hesitation on her part. She put Jetter first.
He shook his head slightly. "Lauren, I have the final say in what I do with my life. You don't need anyone's permission to marry me."
"I know," she said, her voice steady. "But I need to do this for me. I respect Jetter enough to give him time to accept me and to see that I love his dad."
He studied her for a long moment, then grunted. "If that's what you need, I'll get him up here as soon as I can."
Her shoulders eased, and she leaned in to kiss him. When she pulled back, her forehead rested against his. "Until then," she murmured, "I'm not going to let myself get excited."
Then, as if the words couldn't hold her in place any longer, she let out a sudden squeal and gripped his shoulders. "Okay—now I'm not going to let myself get excited until Jetter is here with us."
Mac chuckled, pulling her into his arms. The mountain wasn't the only thing that could take his breath away. Lauren continued to surprise him.
Mac had never been a patient man. The moment Lauren said she needed to talk to Jetter before giving him an answer, he didn't waste time thinking it over.
"Hang on." He crossed the room to the shelf where the satellite phone sat. "I'll call him now."
She blinked. "Now?"
"Now." He opened the door, pulling the long antenna up, and punched in the number from memory.
He peered up, hoping to get away from the trees for better reception.
The line crackled before Jetter's voice came through, bright and easy.
Mac rocked back on his heels of his boots, letting the sound of his boy's chatter settle something deep in him.
They talked for a few minutes about school, the weather, and the new bike Jetter had been riding.
Then, Mac cleared his throat. "Put your mom on for a second, son."
Tara's voice came on, cautious but polite.
"Hey," Mac said. "I was wondering if I could get Jetter this weekend."
A pause. "This weekend?"
"Yeah. Three days from now. I've got something big planned, and I need him here for it."
Another pause, then, "Alright. That's fine, but I won't have time to drive him—"
"I'll drive down the mountain and pick him up."
"Okay." She blew out her breath. "Should I tell him?"
"Yeah." He gazed back at the lodge. "Thanks, Tara."
When he hung up, Lauren watched from the doorway, her eyes wide and curious.
"I'll go pick him up Saturday morning and take him back Sunday evening." He walked inside the lodge and set the phone back on the shelf. "We can plan how we're going to get married. I'm thinking the courthouse in town will be fastest."
She smiled, slow and secretive. "I have a better idea."
He raised a brow. "Yeah?"
Before she could answer, the door opened and Cord, Beckett, and Avaline entered the lodge. The cold air followed them inside.
"Well?" asked Cord.
Avaline glanced between them. Beckett leaned against the wall, silently waiting.
"I asked. She'll give me an answer after Jetter gets here this weekend." He hooked Lauren's neck and pulled her closer.
Cord grinned. Beckett gave a short nod. Avaline's eyes flicked between them, silently questioning.
"We'd better put out the candles before the whole place burns down." Cord walked toward the wall, leaning over and blowing. "Women are too much work."
"You'll never see me making a fool of myself," muttered Beckett, putting the flames out with his two fingers. "It's a waste of good candles."
"I think it's romantic." Avaline blew, waving the smoke out from around her face.
He didn't care what the others thought. His mind was already three days ahead, picturing his son on the mountain, Lauren beside him, ready to give him the answer he wanted to hear.