Chapter 39
L auren stood outside the lodge, arms wrapped around herself, watching the truck wind up the gravel road. The morning sun was beginning to warm the tops of the trees, but the air still held a bite. Mac had left early to pick up Jetter, wanting as much time with his son as he could get.
Her heart skipped a beat as the truck rolled to a stop. She was nervous and excited. As the outsider, she wouldn't want to upset the family dynamics, but she longed to call the Callahan clan her family, too.
Mac stepped out first. He caught her eye.
She pressed a hand to her stomach. What if Jetter didn't want her around, taking up his time with his dad?
It was a real possibility. Kids that age needed their parents and would view her as a threat.
It hadn't been that long ago that she was Jetter's age.
Life had a way of changing her views, but that hadn't happened until after she became an adult.
The passenger door opened, and Jetter jumped out, backpack slung over one shoulder. There was a difference in him since she'd seen him last. His new short hair made him look older.
Jetter scanned the lake first, taking it all in since he'd left. She could almost make out the relief in his slim shoulders at seeing his mountain. He was a lot like his father in that way.
He also looked taller. There was no doubt that he got his height from his dad. But he was still the boy who'd once asked her if she liked to go fishing and offered her half a granola bar without blinking.
Mac said something low to him, and Jetter nodded. Her whole body tingled. So much relied on Jetter accepting her.
They both agreed that Mac would discuss Lauren's living at the cabin with his son while they traveled up the mountain. Neither one of them wanted to shock the boy. She understood that it was a lot to absorb. They could go as slow as Jetter needed to accept their relationship.
Lauren stepped forward. "Hey, Jetter."
Mac's son turned and smiled, shy but genuine. "Hi."
She joined father and son. "I'm really glad you're here for the weekend."
His eyes were curious. "Dad said you live here now."
"I'm staying with him, getting to know him better," she said. "And once you get settled, I'd love to talk to you about something important."
"What?" he asked.
"How about we eat first? I bet you're starving." She tilted her head. "I made some sandwiches at the cabin. Let's throw your pack down, and you can fill your tummy after the long ride."
"Okay." He looked at his dad. "Are the fish still jumping?"
"They're slowing down, going out to the middle of the lake to conserve energy."
Lauren listened to the conversation about fish and had no idea that fish acted differently throughout the year. She had a lot to learn.
Inside the cabin, Jetter jumped up on the stool. She handed out sandwiches, barely able to nibble on hers. She was nervous. The closer she got to talking to Jetter, the more she realized how life-changing this would be for him. It wasn't only she and Mac who were making a lifelong commitment.
Mac finished first and tousled his son's hair, upsetting the perfect style, making him appear more like the Jetter she remembered from this summer, who was carefree and wild.
She tossed her sandwich and paper plate in the garbage while they were distracted.
There was no way she could eat until everything was out in the open.
"I'm going to check in with Beckett and let him know you're here." He kissed Lauren, making her blush.
Jetter had no idea they were romantically involved, much less used to full-on PDA.
"Relax." He kissed her again. "There's nothing to be nervous about."
She nodded. It was easy for him to say. He wasn't the one who had to have the conversation.
Alone with Jetter, she stood on the other side of the counter. The silence was worse than the thought of spilling her guts out to a twelve-year-old and asking for permission to marry his dad.
"So..." She took a breath. "I bet it's kind of weird to see me here with your dad."
"Not really."
Clinging to the thought, he wasn't bothered, she continued. "When I was here this summer, I fell in love with your dad. And I love being here."
"Everyone loves the mountain." Jetter swung his legs, hitting the cabinet underneath.
"They sure do." She counted to five. "But before I make any big decisions about living here, I wanted to ask you something."
Jetter tilted his head. "What?"
"Would it be okay with you," she said gently, "if I became part of your family?"
"Like... marry Dad?" He blinked. "Why would you want to do that?"
"I love him." She nodded. "I really do. He's asked me to marry him, but I haven't given him my answer because I wanted to know if you're okay with it."
Jetter looked down at his boots, then back up at her. "Dad's never had anyone before, except me."
"Oh, he'll still have you. You're his number one concern. You come first in his life." Her heart raced.
She was going about this badly. What if she hurt Jetter's feelings? The last thing she wanted him to worry about was losing his dad's attention and time."
"I think he likes you." Jetter's brows lowered. "Even though you wear a lot of dresses."
"I did buy new clothes. Mountain clothes." Lauren laughed, tears stinging her eyes. "If you need time to think about—"
"Nah, I think it'd be cool," he said. "You're nice. And you like prairie dogs. You're not very brave with bears, but I could teach you not to get scared."
"Can I hug you?" As soon as he nodded, she pulled him into a hug, holding him tight. "Thank you."
Mac stepped back into the house, watching them with something unreadable in his eyes—pride, maybe. Relief.
Lauren looked up at him and grinned. "You both are going to have to cover your ears because I'm about ready to let myself get excited."
Jetter not only covered his ears when she squealed, but he lowered his face to the counter so he couldn't see her kiss his dad. She flung her arms around Mac's neck, and he lifted her off her feet. Her lips numbed, and she pulled back to look into his eyes.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Love you back, woman," said Mac.
From behind them, Jetter groaned. "Ew."
She squeezed Mac, knowing everything would be okay. The future was theirs.
His family will become her family. His home will be her home. His mountain. Her mountain.
"Oh, Lord. I almost forgot." She pushed out of his arms and looked around the room. "I need to take a picture. Where's my phone?"
"Probably in the bedroom," said Mac.
She hurried out of the room. Finding her cell on the dresser, she returned to the main room and squeezed between the two of them.
Holding up the phone, she got them all on the screen and said, "Smile."
Then, she proceeded to take a hundred more pictures to document the day. Those photos were private and wouldn't be shared on social media.