Chapter 29
29
A spring breeze stirred the evening air, carrying the scent of damp earth and the promise of new beginnings. Capri sat on the porch of her cabin, bathed in the soft glow of the string lights draped along the beams. The bulbs swayed gently, casting golden halos against the night. Overhead, a full moon hung in the sky, luminous and whole, watching over Thunder Mountain with quiet wisdom.
Capri adjusted her position in the rocking chair, her crutches resting against the railing beside her. The ache in her leg was a dull reminder of all she had been through, but she felt lighter tonight.
Lila, Reva, and Charlie Grace bustled around, bringing out more snacks, uncorking a bottle of wine, and arranging themselves comfortably on the cushioned seats of Capri’s new patio furniture—the set Jake had picked out for her.
“Man’s got good taste,” Reva admitted, patting one of the chairs as she sat down.
The front door creaked open, and Jake stepped out. He was freshly showered, his dark hair still damp at the edges. Without a word, he walked over to Capri, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll be home later,” he murmured, his voice warm and steady.
She tilted her face up to him, her heart skipping in a way she still hadn’t gotten used to. “Don’t be too late.”
The girlfriends chuckled, and Capri rolled her eyes. “What?”
Charlie Grace filled the wine glasses. “Nothing. You just seem…I don’t know.”
“Like an old married couple,” Lila finished.
Capri and Jake exchanged amused glances before he turned to go. With a lingering glance, he stepped off the porch and into the night, his silhouette disappearing down the gravel drive.
The moonlight caught on the trees, casting silver-edged shadows across the yard as she heard him start the engine and pull away.
Charlie Grace sighed dreamily. “That man is smitten.”
Capri waved off the comment. “He’s…well, he’s Jake. That’s saying a lot.”
Charlie Grace handed her a glass of wine. “Oh, it’s saying plenty.”
Capri worked to keep her face neutral. “It’s saying he’s Jake. That’s all.” She wouldn’t be able to keep the secret for much longer, but for now, it was hers—untouched by opinions, unshaken by questions, a quiet joy she could hold close just a little while longer.
Lila exchanged a knowing glance with Reva. “That’s all?”
Reva tilted her head, studying Capri like a puzzle missing its last piece. “Funny. I seem to remember a time when you barely tolerated the guy.”
Capri shrugged, keeping her voice light. “People evolve.”
Charlie Grace folded her arms. “Uh-huh. And what exactly has Jake evolved into?”
Capri busied herself by swirling the wine in her glass, watching as the legs ran down the sides. “He’s…dependable.”
Charlie Grace let out a dry laugh. “So is my dog.”
Capri shot her a look. “Fine. He’s kind. Thoughtful. He listens.” She stopped, realizing she was saying too much. “And he’s handy with a hammer.”
Lila narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know, Capri. You sound suspiciously like a woman in love.”
Capri forced a laugh, reaching for a deviled egg off the platter. “So, what if I am?”
Reva pressed a hand to her chest, eyes twinkling. “So, you admit you have feelings for Jake?”
Capri fumbled the deviled egg, nearly sending it rolling off her plate. She recovered fast, popping it into her mouth and chewing, buying herself a second to steady her pulse. “Let’s talk about something else,” she mumbled around the bite, avoiding their knowing stares.
Later. She’d tell them later. But for now, she just smiled and changed the subject. “So, Charlie Grace, what’s new with you? I know you’ve been busy since the big find. Give us a full update.”
Charlie Grace leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms overhead with a satisfied sigh. “So, it’s done. The trusts are officially in place for Dad and Jewel—airtight. Gibbs can huff and puff all he wants, but he won’t weasel a dime.”
Reva gave an approving nod. “Smart move. That man could charm a snake out of its skin, but even a snake knows better than to steal what it can’t swallow.”
Charlie Grace smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That was priority one. The second? I set up a foundation and fully funded it for Thunder Mountain. The town’s been good to me, and I wanted to give back. The money will go toward community projects, emergency relief, scholarships. I’ve named it after Alf Morgan, the original owner of the trunk—and I’ve appointed the three of you as the trustees. Providing you agree to serve.”
Lila’s eyes widened. “Charlie Grace, that’s incredible.”
Capri let out a low whistle. “That’s a legacy move.”
Reva’s eyes lit up. “And what an honor it is. Of course, we’ll serve—right, girls?”
Charlie Grace grinned, their reactions seeming to fill her with warmth. “I just want to make sure this place thrives for years to come. Which brings me to the next big thing—expanding Teton Trails Guest Ranch.”
She leaned forward, excitement flickering in her gaze. “I’ve already hired contractors. We’re adding new luxury cabins—still rustic but with high-end amenities. Think stone fireplaces, deep soaking tubs, heated floors. The kind of place where you can spend the day riding trails and come back to something first-class.”
Reva grinned. “That’s smart. People want the charm of the mountains but the comfort of a resort.”
“Exactly,” Charlie Grace said. “We’re also expanding the main lodge—bigger dining space, a full-service spa, and a yoga deck overlooking the valley. I’ve even brought in a marketing company to help put us on the map. High-end travel magazines, influencers, custom branding—the whole deal.”
Lila shook her head, impressed. “You’re turning this place into a world-class destination.”
“That’s the goal,” Charlie Grace admitted. Then she grew quiet, her gaze drifting out toward the spread of pines beyond the porch. “You know, I was thinking earlier…remember when you girls built the first website for the ranch? How you helped me get this place off the ground?”
Capri smiled. “How could we forget? You were starting your guest ranch on a wing and a prayer. It was the least we could do to help.”
Lila shook her head with a soft smile. “That’s what friends do. This town has a way of showing up for each other, and that’s what makes Thunder Mountain so special—the kind of place I want my grandbaby to grow up in.”
Capri topped off her glass. “How’s Camille holding up? Is the morning sickness finally letting up?”
Lila let out a sharp breath, her fingers tightening around her glass. “Yes, she’s doing better. And I finally met the father—Blaine Newcomb. Had the pleasure of a little sit-down with him and his mother at the Rustic Pine…Senator Newcomb, in case you didn’t make the connection.”
Charlie Grace arched an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound good. And judging by the look on your face, it wasn’t. What happened?”
Reva set down her fork, sensing trouble. “Yes, what did they want?”
Lila let out a humorless laugh, still shaking her head at the sheer audacity of it. “We walked into a business negotiation that felt like a trap.” She took a sip of her drink before continuing. “Claudia Newcomb did most of the talking. Said they’ve been ‘considering all options’ and decided it would be best for everyone—especially Camille—if Blaine legally relinquished his rights to the baby.”
Silence fell over the table as her friends absorbed the weight of those words.
Capri frowned. “Wait. He wants to sign away his rights? Just like that?”
Lila gave a slow nod, her expression filled with disgust. “And all Camille had to do was sign an NDA, ensuring Camille and the baby never so much as whisper the Newcomb name again. Especially in public.”
Charlie Grace leaned back, arms crossed against her chest. “Unbelievable. That coward’s skipping out, and his mother’s sweeping his mess under the rug?”
“Oh, she spun it beautifully,” Lila said with a dry laugh. “Said it would ‘free Camille’ from any unnecessary complications, allow her to start fresh without the burden of messy entanglements.” Her fingers tightened around her glass. “As if that baby is an inconvenience instead of a human being. As if Camille hasn’t spent months agonizing over how to do what’s best.”
Reva’s jaw clenched. “What did you say?”
Lila met her gaze, fire sparking in her eyes. “I told them that Camille would decide what’s best for her child.”
Capri exhaled, shaking her head. “And what did they say to that?”
Lila gave a humorless smile. “The senator gave me that patronizing little smirk of hers and said…and I’m summarizing. But I was ‘letting emotions cloud my judgment.’ That it was a ‘generous offer’ and I should ‘encourage Camille to be pragmatic.’” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Oh, and of course, they’d ensure ‘discreet financial assistance.’ You know, to soften the blow.”
Reva scoffed. “So, they want to throw money at her, erase the whole thing, and waltz back into their perfect little world?” She shook her head, letting out a dry laugh. “If secrecy was their top priority, maybe they shouldn’t have chosen the Rustic Pine for their big cover-up meeting. Do they even know how small towns work? Keeping secrets isn’t exactly our strong suit.”
“Exactly.” Lila set her glass down, shaking her head. “And Blaine just sat there the whole time, nodding along, barely looking me in the eye. Like a spineless little puppet.”
Charlie Grace huffed. “Please tell me you told them where to shove their NDA.”
Lila’s smirk returned, this time edged with steel. “Oh, I did. I told them Camille has more backbone in her pinky than Blaine ever will—and that this family doesn’t take hush money.” She hesitated for a beat, then added, “But honestly? Blaine Newcomb is controlling, and the thought of him having any influence over Camille and the baby unsettles me. Maybe this isn’t just them cutting ties. Maybe it’s God protecting my daughter.”
Capri nodded her approval. “Darn right.”
Reva exhaled, shaking her head in disbelief. “What now?”
Lila’s expression softened. “That’s up to Camille. But whatever she decides, she’s not alone in this. And she sure doesn’t need nasty people like them dictating her future.”
Her friends nodded, a silent agreement passing between them. No matter what happened next, they would stand by Camille—and Lila—every step of the way.
Then, as if sensing the heavy turn of the conversation, Charlie Grace exhaled and leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Well, if we’re talking about things getting out of hand, can we discuss the spectacle that Jason Griffith’s wedding is turning into?”
Reva groaned, rubbing her temples. “Oh, don’t get me started. His mother, Oma, and the Knit Wits have officially lost their minds.”
Capri leaned in with a smirk forming. “All right, hit me with the latest.”
Charlie Grace exhaled. “Oh, you have no idea. His mother and the Knit Wits have taken over, and now the whole thing is turning into some kind of over-the-top spectacle.”
Reva nodded. “Apparently, they think the Bluebird Bookstore is such a pillar of Jason’s identity that they want to incorporate it into the wedding theme. They’ve decided every guest should receive a custom leather-bound book as a favor.”
Lila raised an eyebrow. “Who’s funding this? The Library of Congress?”
Charlie Grace shook her head. “And that’s just the start. Oma’s convinced that because Jason loves birdwatching, they need actual bluebirds in decorative cages at the reception—for ambiance.”
Capri broke into laughter. “Oh, sure. Nothing says romance like a bunch of panicked birds flapping around in the middle of dinner.”
Reva leaned in. “And get this—since Jason’s a mystery lover, they’re seriously considering turning the rehearsal dinner into a full-blown Agatha Christie-style murder mystery dinner. With actors. Costumes. Clues hidden under the dinner plates.”
Lila pinched the bridge of her nose. “So instead of a quiet celebration, it’s going to be an elaborate whodunit with a bunch of guests trying to figure out who ‘poisoned’ the groom?”
Charlie Grace sighed. “At this point, I half expect Jason’s fiancée to call the whole thing off and elope in the mountains just to get away from it.”
“Oh, it gets better,” Reva added, crossing her arms. “Oma wants the flower girls to release actual doves at the end of the ceremony. She says it’ll be symbolic of her boy’s love taking flight.”
Charlie Grace slipped off her boots and tucked her feet beneath her. “Then you have the Knit Wits, who’ve taken it upon themselves to handcraft individual quilted seat covers for every guest, in case the chairs at the reception aren’t comfortable enough.”
Capri’s mouth fell open. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
Reva sighed. “Oh, I wish. But no, they’re stitching away like it’s the Olympics of needlework. Each one has Jason and his fiancée’s initials and a personalized quote about love.”
Charlie Grace swirled the deep red liquid in her glass, not bothering to mask her amusement. “I hear Gibbs’ says, ‘True love waits…but he never could.’”
Capri laughed. “Okay, that’s kind of perfect. Especially given his track record with women.”
Reva tilted her head and groaned. “I’m starting to think the biggest challenge of this wedding won’t be saying ‘I do’—it’ll be surviving the planning process.”
Capri dabbed a napkin at the corner of her mouth. “Well, one thing’s for sure…their wedding is going to be unforgettable.”
She hesitated for half a beat, then drew in a breath, her fingers smoothing the napkin against the table. “Speaking of weddings…I guess it’s time I told you all—I’m getting married.”
The words landed like a stone in a still pond, sending ripples of stunned silence across the table.
Charlie Grace blinked. “Wait. What?”
Reva sat up straighter. “Capri Jacobs, did you just drop that like it was nothing?”
Lila’s eyes widened. “To Jake?”
Capri let out a slow breath, a small, private smile tugging at her lips. “Yes. To Jake.” She met their gazes, bracing for the inevitable onslaught of reactions. “It just feels right. So…we’re doing it.”
The stunned silence held for a fraction longer before all three women erupted at once—talking over each other, demanding details, peppering her with questions.
Capri leaned back, letting them have their moment. She had always been the restless one, the wild heart who chased adventure and outran anything that felt too permanent. Commitment had never been her language, and love—the real kind, the kind that stayed—had always felt like something meant for other people.
But this? This was different. Her decision to marry Jake was the one choice she was certain of.
Capri let the moment settle over her. The love, the friendship, the unwavering sense of home.
Her gaze drifted upward to the moon spilling its soft light over the world. It had always been there, watching, waiting. And for the first time, she wasn’t running, wasn’t hiding in the shadows.
She was learning to stand in its glow.