14. Jasper
Chapter 14
Jasper
O ne phone call. That’s all it took and the next thing I knew, the roads to my place and into town were clear. Officially, I have no idea who did it. I’m never going to tell a soul, but I saw Whiskey hanging around my place.
I know that he and some other mountain men did it. They cleared the path and gave me a way to get Thea into town. I owe him and all of his friends a round of beers if I ever see him again. I hope I do. I hope one day he has the courage to come out of the shadows and understand that we want him back.
Now, it’s me and Thea in a tiny room of the chapel getting ready together. I helped her into her wedding dress, wrapping her up in all the white that I’ll pull from her body later tonight when we make love together for the first time as man and wife.
She’s sitting in front of a vanity carefully applying some type of gloss to her lips that I already can’t wait to kiss off. I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with this woman.
The door opens and I turn excitedly. Zac and Dotty are supposed to be here in a few minutes.
When we called them with the good news that we were getting married, Zac managed to find a private plane and he hopped on board. I’m glad our friends are going to be here to witness this moment between the two of us. It makes it even sweeter.
But it’s not Zac and Dotty who come into the room. It’s Emma May, and she scowls. “Did I raise a young man or a slob? Come here and let me fix that tie. I swear, thirty-something, and you still don’t know how.”
I bend and let her fix it. I watched a video years ago on how to do this. I’ve been tying it correctly for years. But every time I’m around Ma, I always mess it up, so she has a reason to fuss over me. She likes to cluck over her boys, and it’s a small thing, so I let her. I let her be the mother she still is because it’s the one role that never really stops.
When she’s satisfied with her work, I gesture to the vanity where Thea has finished putting the final touches on her makeup. “Ma, come meet my soon-to-be wife, Thea Madison.”
Thea stands from her seat and smiles at my mom. To the outside world, she looks calm and poised but I can see the slight tremor in her hand when she holds it out to the woman who took me in when no one else wanted me.
In true Emma fashion, Ma bypasses her hand entirely. She wraps her arms around Thea and squeezes her tightly. “I’m so glad to have a new daughter!”
Over her shoulder, I catch Thea’s gaze and see her tearing up. She didn’t know a mother’s love before, but she will now. Ma will make sure of it. She’ll surround her with all the love she missed out on growing up.
“Now let me look at you.” She steps back to take in Thea’s appearance. “Lord have mercy, he sent me the prettiest daughter I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you for letting me be a part of your family,” Thea whispers softly, her cheeks going pink.
She glances at me, and I read the question in her eyes. I give her a nod and cross the room, taking her hand in mine and slipping my other hand around her waist. I put it over her stomach, right where our little baby is growing. “I’m not just bringing you a daughter.”
Ma presses a hand to her chest and gasps. “The miracles keep coming today.”
I smile down at my blushing bride. “Yes, they do.”
Thea
I’ve never had someone accept me so quickly and completely as Jasper and Emma May have done. They both took one look at the girl everyone else rejected and fell in love. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m very easy to love and everyone else before him couldn’t see it.
All I know is I can’t stop smiling as Jasper’s big hand rests protectively on my stomach. His scent surrounds me. I don’t know if he’s ever going to let go of me again. Not that I mind the idea of being with him always.
He only had to make one phone call and the whole town sprang into action. It was amazing the way the roads were suddenly cleared. Mallory from Sew Cute opened her dress shop to make sure I had the perfect wedding gown. Austin from the flower shop got my bouquet ready and decorated the wedding chapel.
The only thing that would make this day perfect were if—I can’t even finish the thought because the door to the room is opening. Zac and Dotty are here. Dotty races toward me, throwing her arms around me and talking a mile a minute about how excited she is for me and Jasper.
Zac shows his support in the way that cowboys do, thumping his best friend on the back and congratulating him. I love that he and Dotty are both here for our ceremony, since their wedding is the reason we’re getting married.
When everything is ready, Emma May walks me to the altar. She reminds me of a peacock as she struts down the aisle to give me away. She’s overflowing with love and pride. I’m so happy that my child will know the love of this woman. I can already tell she’ll be a doting grandma who will spoil our baby.
When the pastor asks who gives me away, Emma May puts my hands in Jasper’s and looks at him solemnly. “You’re holding a treasure, son. Make sure you always treat her like it.”
“I’ll cherish her all the days of my life,” he answers with conviction.
“That’s not your line yet,” the pastor interrupts, and we all break into chuckles.
We repeat our vows, but I keep pausing to hold back tears. Finally, when I can’t anymore, Jasper takes a handkerchief from his suit pocket and blots my face. “I promise you. From this day forward, you will only cry happy tears.”
I lean into his touch. “I love you.”
He smiles down at me, love and acceptance glittering in his eyes. “I love you most.”
When the pastor pronounces us man and wife, Jasper gives me a passionate kiss and pauses to whisper for my ears only. “Forgot to mention. I have another Valentine’s Day gift for you, and it involves my tongue.”
I giggle as my heart soars. I’ve never felt as loved or as precious as I do right here with my mountain man valentine.