25. Red
25
RED
I wake up with a huge smile on my face knowing that today is the start of the rest of my life, and it has everything to do with the woman sleeping soundly by my side.
She’s still my best friend and the woman who has been everything I needed in the past eight years. It’s just that now, we’re all of that and so much more. And despite all my protests in the past about not wanting the mountain spirit’s reward, I’m figuratively kicking myself for being so shut off from finding love again. I’d forgotten just how damn good it feels.
Then again, I didn’t exactly find it. In the end, it crashed into me like the storm that continues to wreak havoc outside right now.
Carefully slipping out of bed so I don’t wake her, I quickly take care of my morning business and move to the kitchen to start some cowboy brew.
While that’s boiling, I peek out of the kitchen window to see snow everywhere and more falling from the sky. Usually, being stranded would annoy me, but this time and with nowhere else to be until Friday evening, I smile.
With the coffee done and the food prepped to make us breakfast when my sleeping beauty wakes up, I stop resisting the pull of my One and slide back under the covers, needing to be near her.
Lying on my side, I watch her sleep–knowing she’d call me a creeper for doing it–but I can’t help it. I’m a sap and don’t want to be away from her. Something that might pose a problem when we get back home given that she lives in town twenty minutes away. Then again, it's not unheard of for me to hang out at the diner two or three nights a week. If I have to stake my claim and sit at the counter every night to see her, I will.
There's nothing I won't do for her. Whenever I've needed anything, she's always been there. We couldn't see it because we were too close, but I've always known she deserved love and happiness. She's always looked for her happily ever after and–as she puts it–always got it wrong. Not now.
It's going to be my mission to show her every day that she got it right this time. I'll break my back and do whatever it takes to make sure she has all the love, happiness, and fulfillment she deserves in spades.
My phone vibrates on the nightstand just as I’m thinking that, distracting me from my bed mate for a moment. Reaching out blindly behind me, I grab the phone and open the messages to find one from Wyatt.
Wyatt: Hey. Just thought I'd check in while I can. We're sheltering in a bay up North while we sit out the storm. Are you and Mags OK?
Red: Good to hear from you, kid. I’ve been wondering how you were going. Glad you’re safe. Just looked outside and we’re snowed in. We don’t have to be in Palmer until Friday, so we are just going to stay where we are.
Wyatt: That’s good. I checked the weather map, and it looks like it’ll pass tonight.
Red: Aww, kid. Were you worried about me?
Wyatt: I always worry about you. You should know that by now.
There’s no wiping the smile off my face after reading that.
Red: Dammit, kid. Stop being so responsible. Who’s the parent here? Besides, I’m big enough to look after myself now.
Wyatt: You may be older and wiser but I’m always going to worry about you.
Red: Would it help if I told you I’m not alone anymore and I’m never going to be?
I watch as my son types then stops… types then stops again. The message finally comes through moments later.
Wyatt: Don’t joke with me now, Dad. That’s not funny.
Red: No joking. Seems like the will of the mountain is stronger than any of us thought. She opened my eyes to what I could have and I grabbed it with two hands. Now I’m not letting Mags go.
Wyatt: I’m so damn happy right now. I hoped that inviting Mags on the trip would set a fire under both of y’all.
I stare at the message, a startled laugh bubbling out of me.
Red: Not you too? You thought you’d play matchmaker?
Wyatt: I hoped you two would see what the rest of us could. Mags has always been there for us and was already part of the family. Now I can rest easy knowing that she makes you happy. You deserve that, Dad.
Red: Shit, kid. I don’t know what to say. You’re wiser than me, that’s for sure.
Wyatt: Nah, everything I know, everything I believe, is all from you and Mom. And Mags too. When Mom passed, we all felt the loss. Mags isn’t a replacement for her, she’s the reward you always deserved.
My eyes wet with tears, my heart swelling with pride.
Red: I’m happy, Wy. Real damn happy. It feels right, you know?
Wyatt: We all knew it, you two just took your time to realize that you not only love each other, you’re IN love too.
Red: So just to be clear, you’re OK with this development?
Wyatt: Dad, you've had your life on hold for far too long now. You both deserve this. You deserve each other. Of course, I'm happy. I've also just won a bet so tell the guys back home they better pay up when I'm home.
I snort, shaking my head.
Red: Love you, kid. Miss you already.
Wyatt: Love you back. Mags too. Say Hi from me and tell her I’m missing her food. Gotta go. Talk soon.
A soft warm hand slides over my chest and just like that, my phone is forgotten, I drop it over the side of the bed and turn to face my One.
Our eyes lock and the soft smile on her lips has me leaning in and brushing my mouth against hers, loving the way she melts into me. She runs her hands up my chest and my heart swells all over again with emotions I never thought I'd experience again. Pulling her close, I kiss her again, taking my time to explore, taste, and earn all of her little sighs and moans that drive me crazy.
When I deepen the kiss, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, I realize I’d forgotten what true happiness feels like. I’m so glad that everything we've been through over the years has helped solidify our bond into a connection that can never be broken.
Just knowing that I'm going to spend the rest of my days with this woman has bought me a peace I never dreamed of having again.
Mags's hands find their way to my face, her fingers gently tracing the lines that time has etched onto my skin. Her touch is like a balm, soothing the rough edges left by a life of hard work and long days. As our tongues dance together, I can feel the years melting away, replaced by the simple joy of being together, right here, right now.
“Everythin’ OK back home?” she rasps when we finally settle back into the pillows.
I reach up and hook a loose curl of hair behind her ear. “It wasn’t anyone from Bull. It was Wy.”
Her gaze melts. "How's our boy doin'?" If I wasn't already in love with the woman, claiming my son would've done it for me anyway.
I cup her cheek, my thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “He’s good. They’re shelterin’ from the storm. He asked about you by the way—about us.”
She arches a brow. “You told him?” I don’t miss the sliver of wariness in her gaze and quickly move to fix it.
“Darlin’, I don’t think he could be any happier for us. I swear he’s smarter than me sometimes."
A teasing smirk plays on her lips. "Well, I didn’t want to say anythin' but…"
I chuckle. "Did you know he invited you along on the trip because he was hopin' we'd see what everyone else could see?"
"Hmm. That kid is never payin' for a meal at the diner again. Free food for life," she offers with a grin.
"He might've mentioned that he was missin’ your cookin’.”
"Already knew he was smart. That just confirms it." She shifts in close, tangling her legs with mine and settling in. "Let me guess, you told him we were both blind and dumb but we're makin' up for lost time now?"
“Not in so many words. But he’s happy I’m happy. Said he can stop worryin’ about me now. Can you believe that?”
She smiles. “He’s a good kid.”
“The best.”
“Hmm. Maybe him and Char, but yes. You did a good job raisin’ him, Red.”
“You helped.”
“I was just there,” she says.
I roll over and cover her body, framing her head with my arms and lowering my face to hers so that she’s all that I can see. “You had my back. You held me up when I couldn’t. You were there for Wy when I couldn’t be. You turned up and kept doin’ it. That’s why I’m so damn glad I have the rest of our lives together to show you gratitude.” I press my lips to hers. “To love you.”
“ Red… ” she breathes, her eyes glistening wet as she cups my jaw in her hands. “I love you, too.”
“Then marry me,” I say, the words coming out of their own volition but that doesn’t mean I don’t mean them. I do, more than anything. I want to tie myself to this woman, put my ring on her finger and hers on mine. I want the world to know that she’s mine and I’m hers.
“What?” she gasps.
“Marry. Me. Be my wife. Live by my side, sleep in my bed, and be mine in every single meanin’ of the word, Maggie. I never want to be apart from you, not again, not ever, and I can’t imagine a life without you right there beside me. I want everyone to know that we’re in love and we’re soulmates. I’d like to think I’m old enough and wise enough to know that you’re it for me, even if I wasted so much time realizin’ it. The mountain chose you for me and me for you. I choose you, darlin’. Marry. Me.”
Her eyes melt, her soft lips parting as her eyes fill with tears. “Yes,” she replies. “All the yes’s.”
A lone tear falls onto my cheek, but I don’t wipe it away. I’m too lost in the moment.
"God, I love you," I rasp, unable to stop myself from peppering kisses on her lips, her jaw, her cheeks, everywhere I can reach.
Her giggled sobs fill the air, her arms wrapping around me as she holds me so tight I don’t ever want her to let go. Lucky for me, she never has to.
“Looks like we’re going to be stuck here for at least twenty-four hours. We’re snowed in,” I say, dragging my mouth down to her throat and burying my face in there, loving the way she tilts her head to give me more room to work.
“Oh no. Whatever… will we… do,” she whispers between breathy moans just as I tongue a particular sensitive spot below her ear.
“How ‘bout we find out,” I murmur against her skin.
And that’s the last time we talk for a good long while after that.