Page 30
"That makes two of us." I look at my brother, taking in the gray at his temples, the laugh lines around his eyes that weren't there twenty years ago. "Speaking of husbands, when are you and Ellie going to make it official?"
Riley's relationship with Ellie has been the talk of the town. Second only, perhaps, to the mountain hermit who suddenly became a family man overnight.
"Soon, I think," Riley says, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Got the ring already. Just waiting for the right moment."
"Well, when it happens," I tell him, "I'll be there. Just like you're here for me today."
Riley's eyes, so like our father's but warm, shine with emotion. "Damn right, you will be." He pulls me into a strong and brief hug. "I'm proud of you, Josh. And I know Mom would be, too."
I return the embrace. Our mother has been gone for years, but in moments like this, her absence still aches. "Think she'd be surprised? Me with a ready-made family?"
"Surprised? Hell no." Riley laughs. "She always said you had the biggest heart of anyone she knew. You just needed the right people to share it with."
A knock at the door interrupts us, and Mason's head pops in, his curls tamed for once under what I suspect was a considerable effort from his mother.
"Josh bear! It's time!" he announces. At four and a half, he takes his role as ring bearer very seriously, though he still can't quite pronounce it right, calling himself the "ring bear" instead, which seems fitting.
"Thanks, buddy," I say, ruffling his hair despite knowing Elisa will scold me for it later. "You ready?"
He nods solemnly, holding up the small pillow with our rings.
"Don't drop them," he recites, clearly repeating instructions he's been given multiple times.
"That's right," I agree, fighting a smile. "Very important job."
Mason beams, then disappears back into the hallway, his footsteps pattering away importantly.
Riley claps me on the shoulder. "Let's go get you married, little brother."
The sanctuary of Cedar Falls Community Church has been transformed with wildflowers and greenery—Christine's handiwork, no doubt, with help from Elisa. Simple arrangements of white roses and pine branches line the aisle, a perfect blend of elegance and rustic charm, just like the woman I'm about to marry.
The small church is full—fuller than I would have expected a year and a half ago, when I barely spoke to anyone in town. But that was before. Before Elisa. Before family. Before I learned that walls aren't just for keeping people out, but for creating spaces where the right people can gather.
The Covington brothers sit in one row, all five of them with their respective partners—a formidable group that's somehowbecome part of our extended circle through various connections and friendships. Behind them, the men from Cedar Falls Fire Department with their families, who I've come to know through Riley's volunteer work with them. Lou from Lou’s Diner, his nephew, his girlfriend and their kid. Madeline from the diner, who saves Mason's favorite blueberry pancakes for our Sunday breakfasts in town. Marge Bell, town gossip and reluctant fairy godmother, who's taken a special interest in Sophie. And Christine from the flower shop, Elisa's boss turned close friend, who insisted on offering us her help for free.
They all rise as the music begins—not the traditional wedding march, but a gentle acoustic guitar rendition of "Shelter from the Storm," played by one of Riley's friends from the garage. I take my place at the altar, Riley beside me, Pastor Jim offering an encouraging nod.
Mason comes down the aisle first, concentrating so hard on the rings that his tongue sticks out slightly between his teeth. A ripple of affectionate laughter follows him as he carefully makes his way to stand beside me, his chest puffing with pride at a job well done.
Next comes Sophie, carried by Christine since she's only just learning to walk. At a year old, she's a perfect blend of Elisa and her biological father—though in my heart, in every way that matters, she's mine. She wears a tiny white dress with a flower crown nestled in her dark curls, and she waves chubby hands at the congregation, drawing more smiles and soft laughter.
The music shifts slightly, and everyone turns toward the back of the church. My breath catches in my throat as Elisa appears in the doorway, radiant in a simple white gown that flows around her like water. Her hair is partially up, with loose curls framing her face and white flowers woven through the strands. Shecarries a bouquet of wildflowers and pine, and her smile—God, her smile could light up the darkest night.
Riley leans in, murmuring, "Breathe, Josh."
I exhale, not even realizing I'd been holding my breath. Elisa begins her walk down the aisle, escorted by no one—her choice, a symbol of the strength and independence that brought her to Cedar Falls, to me. Her eyes never leave mine, and in them I see everything—the past we've shared, the future we're building, the love that found us when neither of us was looking for it.
When she reaches me, I take her hand, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers that matches my own.
"Hi," she whispers, just for me.
"Hi," I reply, my voice rough with emotion. "You're beautiful."
Her smile deepens, eyes shining. "So are you."
Pastor Jim begins the ceremony, but I barely hear the words. I'm lost in Elisa—in the woman who walked up my mountain road eighteen months ago and changed everything. Who brought light and noise and life into my solitude. Who gave me a family I never knew I wanted until they were mine to protect and cherish.
We exchange vows—simple promises of love, respect, and commitment—and rings, with Mason proudly presenting them without dropping either. And then Pastor Jim is pronouncing us husband and wife, and I'm kissing Elisa to the sound of applause and cheers, Mason hugging our legs, Sophie babbling happily from Christine's arms.
"I love you," Elisa murmurs against my lips. "My mountain man. My Josh bear."
I laugh, pressing my forehead to hers. "I love you. All of you. More than I have words for."
And as we turn to face our friends and family—our community, our people—I think of the solitary man I was eighteen months ago. How he would never have believed this moment possible. How he thought he'd built the life he wanted, never realizing it was just the foundation for something infinitely better.
A man. A woman. Two children. A cabin on a mountain.
A family, built not from obligation or blood alone, but from choice. From love. From the simple, profound decision to open a door when someone knocks, to offer help when it's needed, to risk the heart that's been protected for so long.
To begin again, together.
Riley's relationship with Ellie has been the talk of the town. Second only, perhaps, to the mountain hermit who suddenly became a family man overnight.
"Soon, I think," Riley says, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Got the ring already. Just waiting for the right moment."
"Well, when it happens," I tell him, "I'll be there. Just like you're here for me today."
Riley's eyes, so like our father's but warm, shine with emotion. "Damn right, you will be." He pulls me into a strong and brief hug. "I'm proud of you, Josh. And I know Mom would be, too."
I return the embrace. Our mother has been gone for years, but in moments like this, her absence still aches. "Think she'd be surprised? Me with a ready-made family?"
"Surprised? Hell no." Riley laughs. "She always said you had the biggest heart of anyone she knew. You just needed the right people to share it with."
A knock at the door interrupts us, and Mason's head pops in, his curls tamed for once under what I suspect was a considerable effort from his mother.
"Josh bear! It's time!" he announces. At four and a half, he takes his role as ring bearer very seriously, though he still can't quite pronounce it right, calling himself the "ring bear" instead, which seems fitting.
"Thanks, buddy," I say, ruffling his hair despite knowing Elisa will scold me for it later. "You ready?"
He nods solemnly, holding up the small pillow with our rings.
"Don't drop them," he recites, clearly repeating instructions he's been given multiple times.
"That's right," I agree, fighting a smile. "Very important job."
Mason beams, then disappears back into the hallway, his footsteps pattering away importantly.
Riley claps me on the shoulder. "Let's go get you married, little brother."
The sanctuary of Cedar Falls Community Church has been transformed with wildflowers and greenery—Christine's handiwork, no doubt, with help from Elisa. Simple arrangements of white roses and pine branches line the aisle, a perfect blend of elegance and rustic charm, just like the woman I'm about to marry.
The small church is full—fuller than I would have expected a year and a half ago, when I barely spoke to anyone in town. But that was before. Before Elisa. Before family. Before I learned that walls aren't just for keeping people out, but for creating spaces where the right people can gather.
The Covington brothers sit in one row, all five of them with their respective partners—a formidable group that's somehowbecome part of our extended circle through various connections and friendships. Behind them, the men from Cedar Falls Fire Department with their families, who I've come to know through Riley's volunteer work with them. Lou from Lou’s Diner, his nephew, his girlfriend and their kid. Madeline from the diner, who saves Mason's favorite blueberry pancakes for our Sunday breakfasts in town. Marge Bell, town gossip and reluctant fairy godmother, who's taken a special interest in Sophie. And Christine from the flower shop, Elisa's boss turned close friend, who insisted on offering us her help for free.
They all rise as the music begins—not the traditional wedding march, but a gentle acoustic guitar rendition of "Shelter from the Storm," played by one of Riley's friends from the garage. I take my place at the altar, Riley beside me, Pastor Jim offering an encouraging nod.
Mason comes down the aisle first, concentrating so hard on the rings that his tongue sticks out slightly between his teeth. A ripple of affectionate laughter follows him as he carefully makes his way to stand beside me, his chest puffing with pride at a job well done.
Next comes Sophie, carried by Christine since she's only just learning to walk. At a year old, she's a perfect blend of Elisa and her biological father—though in my heart, in every way that matters, she's mine. She wears a tiny white dress with a flower crown nestled in her dark curls, and she waves chubby hands at the congregation, drawing more smiles and soft laughter.
The music shifts slightly, and everyone turns toward the back of the church. My breath catches in my throat as Elisa appears in the doorway, radiant in a simple white gown that flows around her like water. Her hair is partially up, with loose curls framing her face and white flowers woven through the strands. Shecarries a bouquet of wildflowers and pine, and her smile—God, her smile could light up the darkest night.
Riley leans in, murmuring, "Breathe, Josh."
I exhale, not even realizing I'd been holding my breath. Elisa begins her walk down the aisle, escorted by no one—her choice, a symbol of the strength and independence that brought her to Cedar Falls, to me. Her eyes never leave mine, and in them I see everything—the past we've shared, the future we're building, the love that found us when neither of us was looking for it.
When she reaches me, I take her hand, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers that matches my own.
"Hi," she whispers, just for me.
"Hi," I reply, my voice rough with emotion. "You're beautiful."
Her smile deepens, eyes shining. "So are you."
Pastor Jim begins the ceremony, but I barely hear the words. I'm lost in Elisa—in the woman who walked up my mountain road eighteen months ago and changed everything. Who brought light and noise and life into my solitude. Who gave me a family I never knew I wanted until they were mine to protect and cherish.
We exchange vows—simple promises of love, respect, and commitment—and rings, with Mason proudly presenting them without dropping either. And then Pastor Jim is pronouncing us husband and wife, and I'm kissing Elisa to the sound of applause and cheers, Mason hugging our legs, Sophie babbling happily from Christine's arms.
"I love you," Elisa murmurs against my lips. "My mountain man. My Josh bear."
I laugh, pressing my forehead to hers. "I love you. All of you. More than I have words for."
And as we turn to face our friends and family—our community, our people—I think of the solitary man I was eighteen months ago. How he would never have believed this moment possible. How he thought he'd built the life he wanted, never realizing it was just the foundation for something infinitely better.
A man. A woman. Two children. A cabin on a mountain.
A family, built not from obligation or blood alone, but from choice. From love. From the simple, profound decision to open a door when someone knocks, to offer help when it's needed, to risk the heart that's been protected for so long.
To begin again, together.