Holding the Dream (Teton Mountain #3)
Chapter 1
1
“ M om! Hey, wake up!”
Lila’s consciousness fluttered back to the surface, her cheek lifting from the cool press of the kitchen table. “Hmm?” Her voice was groggy, fingers sweeping tiredness from her eyes as she tried to focus.
Camille stood resolute with her hands on her hips. “We need to hurry if we’re going to be on time for Reva’s ceremony. You promised an early appearance. What kind of a best friend are you if you miss helping her put on her wedding dress?” Her daughter turned towards the kitchen counter, decisive. “Let me handle the coffee. You head for a shower.”
With a weary nod, Lila closed her textbook and powered down her laptop. It had become a familiar scene—falling asleep amidst her studies, a reflection of her stretched-thin life balancing single motherhood, a full-time job, and her ambitious pursuit of a degree in veterinary medicine through the University of Colorado’s online program. With finals looming, she was on the cusp of finally getting her degree specializing in large animal and equine care, despite knowing it wouldn’t necessarily mean a higher income…not if she remained living in Thunder Mountain.
Her footsteps were heavy as she made her way to her bedroom, proof of the exhaustion that clung to her like a second skin. Despite everything, Lila fought to remember her value, a battle made all the harder by the overshadowing presence of her employer, Doc Tillman Strode, and the dated, oppressive atmosphere of his veterinary practice.
She pulled off yesterday’s shirt and tossed it onto the growing laundry pile before heading for the bathroom.
Lila stepped into the shower and activated the flow, stifling a gasp as the initial cold cascade touched her skin. Moments later, the stream warmed, and Lila closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of warmth soothing her shoulders.
Time was a precious commodity and seemed to pass more quickly with every year.
Her daughter was now in her senior year in high school. In the spring, she’d be graduating and had her heart set on attending school in Denver. Not any school, but an expensive private college. Even with the financial assistance they were lining up, the cost of attending Colorado College was choking.
Despite the financial strain, Lila couldn’t help but feel proud.
Seizing the shampoo bottle, she generously applied it to her hair, working it into a rich lather. As the foam enveloped her scalp, her mind wandered, contemplating the changes that inevitably lay ahead.
Soon Camille would move out and start her own life.
Her daughter aspired to a career in film and media studies, a path bolstered by Nick Thatcher’s endorsement and a summer job on his film crew in Jackson. Nick, a veteran of the Los Angeles film scene, had seen potential in Camille, steering her towards the stability of production work over the fleeting allure of acting fame—her original, and ill-sighted, career choice.
Camille had eventually set her sights on becoming an executive producer, a decision that made Lila smile amidst the steam of her shower. In her determination, Camille mirrored her father, Aaron Bellamy—a man never short on confidence.
She shut the water off and immediately heard Camille’s voice again. “I’ve left your coffee by the sink and laid out your dress on the bed. I’ll be downstairs packing up the car.”
Stepping out of the shower, Lila marveled at the swift role reversal between them. It seemed only yesterday she was coaxing a younger Camille out of bed for school. Now, her daughter was the one ensuring they stayed on track, a poignant reminder of the swift passage of time and the growth her daughter had undergone.
An hour later, as Lila and Camille arrived at Moose Chapel, the parking lot was already filling. They spotted Charlie Grace’s pickup and Capri’s jeep among the vehicles, with Reva’s black Escalade standing out across the way.
“Ready, Mom?” Camille inquired, turning to Lila as the car came to a halt.
A moment of hesitation. “Head inside, I’ll follow shortly,” Lila responded, her voice betraying a hint of unease.
Camille’s expression clouded with puzzled concern. “What’s up? Are you sure?”
Lila offered a reassuring nod. “Yes, just need a moment. I’ll be right there.”
With a lingering look of bewilderment, Camille exited the car and made her way into the chapel.
Alone now, Lila took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to gather her thoughts.
Grief was sneaky. The emotions could sneak up on you out of nowhere…even all these years later.
Lila glanced around at the familiar scene before her. The rustic log Moose Chapel sat on a rise just within the southern entrance of Grand Teton National Park. A large window behind its altar framed the magnificent beauty ofthe Teton Mountain Range.It had become a favorite spot for photographers, sightseers, and weddings—and was the place she and everyone in Thunder Mountain gathered on Sunday for worship.
Now, on the morning of Reva’s big day, Lila found herself inevitably drawn back to the memory of her own wedding at Moose Chapel.
It was a Saturday, and she was barely twenty years old. She wore a simple V-neck chiffon dress that gracefully swept the floor and cleverly concealed the white cowboy boots she had chosen for the occasion, a whimsical yet heartfelt nod to the matching pair Aaron wore as he awaited her at the altar with the view of the majestic Teton Mountains in the background. His hands were neatly clasped, his posture a blend of anticipation and reverence for the moment unfolding before him. And there, playing upon his lips, was the familiar, endearing grin that she had come to adore.
Lila swallowed the lump in her throat. They thought they had their entire lives ahead to live out their dreams.
And when they found out about the pregnancy, their joy was unmatched. They were creating a life together, a testament to the love they shared.
However, destiny had a different path laid out. Aaron’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in Fallujah left Lila shattered, her dreams and future hopes with Aaron disintegrating in an instant.
Losing someone you loved that much changed your entire life…especially when your spouse was also your best friend. In those early days, she’d felt completely lost and paralyzed, even when making minor decisions. The bed felt huge…and she hugged his pillow for comfort. Comfort that never came. She didn’t feel she could possibly survive. But deep down she knew she had no choice.
And she had survived. She’d gone on without Aaron. She’d raised their baby daughter, got a job, and paid the bills. She’d planned birthday parties and played Santa. Nights melded into an ever-changing mosaic of frightened vigil by a fevered child’s bedside followed by anxiously waiting for the tardy return of a fledgling teen driver stretching her wings. Somehow, by the grace of God, she did what had to be done.
Still, the void never went away—as she was poignantly reminded today.
Another car pulled in drawing Lila’s attention back to the present. She recognized Earl Dunlop, a large, gruff man—a confirmed bachelor who ran the county snow removal fleet in the winter and served as the chapel’s custodian. After checking her makeup in the rearview mirror, she climbed out of the car, smoothed her dress, and headed inside.
“Where have you been?” Capri demanded the minute Lila opened the door to the dressing area. Her friend pointed to her watch. “I’m even here on time. What’s up with you being late?”
“Mom was up all night studying,” Camille announced in her defense.
Charlie Grace peeked from behind her camera mounted on a tripod. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here now.”
The morning sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows of Moose Chapel, casting a mosaic of colors across the wooden floor. The air was filled with a palpable sense of giddy excitement and a hint of floral perfume.
Reva stood in the center of the tight, yet cozy, bridal room adorned with vintage décor. She turned, her face filled with emotion. “This is a dream…a day I never expected would materialize,” she admitted. Her eyes grew moist.
“Don’t start that,” Lila told her, grabbing a tissue from the box on the nearby table. She dabbed at her friend’s eyes. “You’ll ruin your makeup.”
Charlie Grace, Lila, and Capri fluttered around her like a trio of joyful butterflies, each one meticulously attending to different aspects of Reva’s preparation. Charlie Grace tested the aperture on the camera and then moved to adjust the intricate folds of lace on Reva’s veil before clicking off a few shots.
Lila double-checked the emergency kit—Band-Aids, sewing materials, and the like—just in case someone stepped on the hem of Reva’s dress and caused a rip. Capri, with her infectious laughter, set the mood by turning on a playlist she’d stored on her phone—some of their favorite songs from high school. As Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” played, she grabbed Camille’s hands and broke into a dance move that made everyone giggle.
In the corner of the room, Lucan, Reva’s newly adopted toddler son, was a spectacle of cuteness in his miniature suit. He discovered his reflection in the floor-length mirror and was conversing in a babble only he understood. Every so often, he’d utter a phrase that resembled something coherent.
Suddenly, he turned and pointed to Reva. “Mommy pretty dress.” He pulled on his tie. “Big tie.”
The room erupted in laughter, and Reva, looking every bit the radiant bride, scooped Lucan into her arms, peppering his cheeks with kisses. “Yes, my love. Your tie is very big and very handsome, just like you!”
Charlie Grace captured the moment on camera, declaring, “Too precious for words.”
As they continued their preparations, the women shared stories and memories, their laughter and chatter creating a symphony of happiness. Charlie Grace handed Reva her white gloves. “Remember when I married Gibbs, and he forgot the ring?”
Lila nodded, the corners of her eyes crinkling with amusement. “I sure do. We had to send your dad racing to Gibbs’ place in that old blue truck of his to grab it. The ceremony was delayed by a half hour.”
Reva shook her head. “I can’t believe he forgot it.”
“Too bad he also forgot his vows,” Capri muttered under her breath.
Charlie Grace gave her a playful shove. “Maybe so, but it all ended well. He married Lizzy, and they have a new little boy. I have our sweet Jewel and hunky Nick Thatcher.” She smiled. “It’s all good.”
Capri reluctantly nodded. “You got the better end of that stick. Gibbs never deserved you.”
Charlie Grace waved off her comment. She handed Reva a small, blue ribbon, a last-minute ‘something blue’ to weave into her all-white rose bouquet. “For luck, and love…always.”
Despite the light mood, a wave of emotion washed over Reva, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. Her friends quickly enveloped her in a group hug, their bond unspoken but as tangible as the wedding gown she wore.
Lila looked around at the group of friends, her voice soft but firm. “We’ve been through so much together. High school, heartbreaks, late-night gab sessions, and now this. Our friendship is such a gift.”
Reva nodded and wiped at her cheeks. “The very best kind of gift.”
Lucan broke from Reva’s hold and toddled over to the door. “Weddy, set, go!”
Laughter filled the room again, and Reva knelt to bring Lucan to eye level. “Yes, my heart. We’re ready. Let’s go get married to Kellen.”
With a final round of touch-ups and lipstick reapplications, the women were ready. They formed a procession, with Lucan leading the way, his steps small but determined.
As the four of them exited the bridal room, the corridor leading to the tiny chapel was awash with soft light filtering in from the large window behind the altar.
Lila couldn’t help but smile.
The day ahead was not just a celebration of Reva’s union with Kellen, but a tribute to the journey they had shared—a journey marked with laughter, support, and the unbreakable bond of friendship.