Chapter 8
EIGHT
SAGE
One moment, Willow Ridge is this postcard perfect town, with the pretty little shops, restaurants, cafes and bakeries lining the stretch of main road, with the mountains as its backdrop.
A week ago, we’d walked through here with the weight of our fake marriage on my shoulders, wondering if this might work.
Now, the main street of Willow Ridge has been transformed by the light dusting of snow, taking it from charming small town to winter wonderland.
The Christmas markets—which I only heard about from clients at the vet clinic—are in full swing.
Stalls circle the town square, little tents set up with home-made cookies, knitted sweaters and shawls, hot chocolate stands, and different foods.
There’s even someone making ornaments in their booth with details given by customers.
There’s something about this that has me both excited for the day, and downright sad. Especially when I watch children run by in their little beanies and gloves.
Rhett gives my hand a squeeze, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Where did you say you wanted to meet your sister?” he asks, gaze soft when it meets mine.
I swallow hard, heart fluttering. For the first time in forever, I don’t dread Christmas.
I used to make it special for my sister, planned everything from the Christmas Eve roast to the stockings.
I wanted every Christmas to feel magical, so I made it happen.
But with Scott, it became a chore, something I started to dread because he made it harder and harder to enjoy.
And when he didn’t appreciate my efforts, I stopped wanting to do anything altogether.
“She said she and Axel would be waiting by the hot chocolate stand with the baby,” I reply, glancing away.
The market is packed with some familiar faces; I see the Sterling clan, six brothers who have taken over their family ranch together.
They’ve transformed it from town staple to something everyone can enjoy with their new wedding venue.
They’re with their partners and children, as well as the matriarch and patriarch of the family, by the ornament stand.
There’s a stall for the firefighters and mountain rescuers set up taking donations and selling calendars for the new year. I make a mental note to grab one for the clinic—anything to help raise money for the firehouse, especially after the lodge fire that almost shut them down.
“Over there,” Rhett says, drawing me from my thoughts. “The red head.”
My sister’s iconic red curls come into view, barely covered by the beanie I know Axel must have forced her into, with a scarf wrapped around her neck. The giant mountain man of a husband is standing beside her cradling their son.
As soon as she sees us, Delilah waves us over. My heart leaps into my throat, but I force a smile.
“This is a bad idea,” I say quietly, though my fingers tighten around his. “She’s going to realise this isn’t real.”
“How would she when this feels real to me? To us?” he replies easily, looking down at me, lips quirked. “I mean every word I’ve said. And everything we’ve done…it means something to me, princess.”
My cheeks flush. Ducking my head, I lean into his side, a rush of warmth hitting me hard as my mind wanders back to the last couple of days. Rhett had taken care of me in a way that felt so foreign, it hadn’t felt real.
I don’t get a chance to reply before my sister is on me. “I thought you’d blow me off for work,” she says, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I’ve missed you.”
I pull her into a tight hug. “Missed you too.”
As she pulls away, her gaze flickers to Rhett. “So,” she says, a knowing smile playing at her lips. “What happened?”
I chew my bottom lip, but Rhett curls an arm around my waist and offers Axel his hand. “I’m Rhett,” he says. “Sage’s…husband.”
Delilah gasps, staring at me, then at Rhett. When her eyes meet mine again, I say, “I can explain.”
“You better,” she hisses. “Because what? I mean, I know you, Sage. When did you have the time to meet this guy, date him, and then marry him?!”
“I won’t lie, I know it’s a lot. But it’s not something I want to talk about out here,” I tell her, giving her a pleading look I know she’ll understand. It’s a look I’ve had to give her so many times. “But this is a good thing. Please trust me.”
Delilah eyes me, then looks at Rhett. “If you hurt her…”
“I won’t,” he says firmly, the certainty surprising. “I never would. I care a lot about your sister. And I will do anything in my power to protect her and treat her the way she deserves.”
My sister presses her lips together, still eyeing him like she doesn’t quite believe him.
But after a brief moment, she nods silently and moves to stand with Axel, who firmly shakes Rhett’s hand.
The giant mountain man doesn’t need to say anything—his expression is dark, the threat clear in his eyes.
It’s why I appreciate Axel. He’s protective in a silent, strong kind of way.
Kind of like Rhett. Although my mountain man isn’t as broad or scary looking—Axel is an ex-biker, after all—there’s an air of authority that Rhett carries with him. It makes him appear strong, intimidating even.
It’s probably why Scott is actually scared of him.
We get ourselves hot chocolate covered in toasted marshmallow fluff and start a slow walk around the markets.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Delilah says, grinning as we move from the hand-knitted clothing booth towards a stall filled with used books. “I knew this place was cosy, but damn.”
I laugh lightly, breathing in the icy air and actually enjoying it. “I feel like we’ve walked into a Hallmark movie.”
“Ugh, you’re so right,” she replies. “I mean, look at all the couples. It’s cheesy, really.”
At that, I really laugh.
“You should do that more,” Rhett murmurs, lips brushing my ears.
I stiffen slightly, cheeks burning. “Do what? Make fun of the locals?”
He chuckles, the sound rich like honey. “Laugh, princess. It sounds good on you.”
It’s far too easy to compare Rhett to the deadbeat that is Scott.
Rhett is…perfect. Too good for me, if I’m being honest with myself.
This man didn’t even know me before he swept in and saved me from the same mistakes I’ve always made.
And now he’s married to me—tied his life to mine—and he’s telling me he can see a future with me in it while giving me more care than any man ever has before.
I duck my head, unable to keep the smile off my face. Rhett just brings me in closer, dropping a kiss to the top of my head.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Delilah watching us. Her expression is unreadable, and when she catches my eye, she looks away.
“I need to borrow my sister,” she says, hooking her arm with mine. “You two manly mountain men go off and do something while we talk.”
My heart stutters, worry slicing through me, but she doesn’t give me a chance to say no before she’s pulling me back to walk the stalls we’ve already seen.
I only get a moment to spare Rhett a glance, but there’s a smile on his lips and not an ounce of worry in his eyes.
“Are you two really married? Or is this something else? Because I can’t tell, and I’m worried about you, Sage,” Delilah says quietly, keeping our arms locked. “Please, please tell me you are safe. If I need to get Axel—”
“I’m safe,” I hiss, looking around. “Rhett and I are really married.”
Delilah makes a sound in the back of her throat as we pass the hot chocolate stand. “And?”
I hesitate, eyes darting around the crowd for him. For that greasy head of hair and the beard I used to hate. “Scott’s in town,” I tell her. “He found me at the clinic. And Rhett…Rhett protected me from him. Is protecting me from him by being my husband. We have a certificate. It’s all legit.”
“Oh, Sage,” she says, stopping. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shake my head sadly. “I didn’t want to drag you or the baby into this. It’s my fight. And he’s backed off for now.”
“But there’s more.” She cocks her head, searching my face. “You two slept together.”
“It’s a little more than that,” I reply, cheeks warming. “I think…I think he really cares for me.”
“And you? How do you feel about him?” Delilah asks, though the look in her eyes tells me she already knows.
“I think…” I trail off, finding Rhett in the crowd. “I think I might be falling for him.”
And it’s a truth I’m terrified to admit—especially if I’m wrong about him.