Chapter 7
Mia stood in her assigned room at Snowberry Inn, watching the snow fall. It was already coming down harder than the forecast had predicted. The meteorologists were calling it a historic Christmas Eve blizzard.
Her maid of honor dress hung on the closet door. Emerald green, fitted, expensive. Tessa had insisted. Everything about this wedding was Tessa’s vision, Tessa’s dream day.
I know. I’m staying with you.
She pressed the phone to her chest, warmth flooding through her. He was coming. She wouldn’t have to do this alone.
A knock on her door made her jump. She opened it to find three bridesmaids with garment bags and makeup cases. “Ready to get gorgeous?” Chelsea asked.
The next few hours were chaos. Hair, makeup, nails. Tessa appearing every ten minutes with new crises. The flowers were the wrong shade of white. The string quartet was running late. Three tables of guests had canceled because of the snow.
“It’s fine,” Tessa kept saying, her smile brittle. “Everything’s fine. It’s my perfect day.”
Mia’s phone kept buzzing with weather alerts. Blizzard warning. Travel not advised. Emergency vehicles only after four p.m.
Another text from Slade: 20 minutes out.
She excused herself from the bridesmaids and went to the window. She could barely see the parking lot through the snow. But then she saw his truck, big and black and capable, pulling in like the storm was nothing.
Her phone rang. “I’m here. Front desk.”
“I’ll be right down.”
She grabbed her coat and headed downstairs. Slade was at the check-in counter, overnight bag over his shoulder, snow melting in his dark hair. He looked like every fantasy she’d ever had about being rescued.
“Mr. Carter.” The inn manager looked apologetic. “I’m so sorry. We’re completely full. The storm brought everyone in early. We don’t have a single room available.”
Before Mia could panic, her mouth opened. “He can stay in my room.”
The manager’s eyebrows rose. Slade’s eyes heated.
“Are you sure, dear?” the manager asked.
“I’m sure.” And she was. She wanted him there. Needed him there.
“How romantic!” Tessa’s voice made them both turn. She was coming down the stairs in her robe, rollers in her hair. “Snowed in together on Christmas Eve. That’s like a movie!”
Slade’s hand found Mia’s lower back. Possessive. Claiming.
“Mia, you need to come back up,” Tessa said. “We’re doing final dress fittings in an hour.”
“I’ll be there.” Mia watched Tessa head back upstairs, then looked at Slade. “One bed.”
“I remember.” His voice was dark promise. “I’ll take the couch if you want.”
“No.” She met his eyes. “I want you in the bed. With me.”
His sharp intake of breath was gratifying. “Baby, after that wedding, I’m not sure I can be in a bed with you and not—”
“I know.” She did know. She felt it too. “After the wedding.”
“After the wedding,” he agreed.
She led him to her room. It was small but nice. Queen bed, small couch, bathroom. Very much one bed.
Slade set his bag down, then pulled her into his arms. “You doing okay?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
“I’ve got you.” He kissed her forehead. “Now go do your maid of honor thing. I’ll be here when you need me.”
The afternoon was a blur of wedding chaos. Tessa’s stress levels climbed with every cancellation, every weather update. By the time they were doing dress fittings, she was snapping at everyone.
“Can someone fix the bustle? It’s not right!”
“Where are the backup flowers?”
“Why is no one listening to me?”
Mia stood still while a bridesmaid adjusted her dress, trying to stay calm. This was Tessa’s day. She could get through this.
“Mia!” Tessa’s sharp voice cut through the chatter. “Can you please just focus? This is my wedding day. The least you can do is be present!”
Something in Mia snapped. She’d been present. She’d been nothing but present for six months while everyone expected her to smile through her own heartbreak.
Before she could respond, a deep voice came from the doorway. “Apologize to her.”
Everyone turned. Slade filled the doorframe, his expression dangerous.
“Excuse me?” Tessa blinked.
“Apologize to Mia. Now.” His voice was quiet, but it carried absolute authority.
The room went silent. No one moved.
“She’s been nothing but gracious,” Slade continued, his eyes never leaving Tessa. “She’s been your maid of honor when she had every right to walk away. You will not disrespect her.”
Tessa’s face flushed. “I—I’m sorry, Mia. I’m just stressed.”
“We’re all stressed,” Mia heard herself say. The words came easier with Slade there, solid and supportive. “But Tessa, I’m doing my best. That’s all you get.”
Tessa nodded, chastened. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
After Slade left, the bridesmaids whispered. “He’s intense.” “Kind of hot though.” “The way he defended her...”
Mia barely heard them. Her heart was still pounding. No one had ever stood up for her like that. No one had ever made her feel like she mattered more than keeping the peace.
Back in their room later, while getting ready for the ceremony, Mia watched Slade put on his suit. Dark gray, crisp white shirt, no tie yet. He looked devastating.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For earlier.”
“She was out of line.” He came to her, his hands on her waist. “I’ll always defend you. Always.”
She reached up, straightening his collar. “I’m not used to that.”
“Get used to it.” His eyes were fierce. “You’re mine now. I protect what’s mine.”
The possessiveness should have bothered her. Instead it made her feel safe. Cherished. Wanted.
“After this wedding,” he said, his voice dropping low, “we’re finishing what we started.”
Her breath caught. “Slade—”
“I want you in my bed. In my cabin. I want to show you exactly how much I want you.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “You ready for that?”
“Yes.” The word was barely a whisper.
“Good.” He kissed her, hard and claiming, then stepped back. “Because I’m taking you home tonight. Storm or no storm.”
As they walked down to the ceremony, his hand on her back, Mia felt something settle in her chest. This was real. This was happening. And for the first time in six months, she was ready for what came next.