Page 161

Georgie would have loved everything about this. The outdoor wedding on a mountain, the dress, the way Jackson loved me. I didn't know if our friendship would have survived college and first jobs and growing up, but I liked to think it would have, that Georgie and Moses and Adam would be here today, celebrating my marriage to Jackson.

The best thing that happened after the signing in Atlanta was that their families reached out and we were talking again. Adam's dad had read my books and had always liked the characters I based on his son. Now that he knew the truth, he was even happier to have the books. I sent him every version of them that I knew existed. Hardcovers, special editions, translations. All of it.

It was healing. Today mattered to me for the same reason. I wanted to make Jackson so happy and I wanted to live my life on my terms. For far too long I'd been a shell of myself. Grief took a chunk of me, doubts another, until I was a tiny raft on a big ocean just drifting wherever the wind and sea took me.

No more. I had a destination, a full tank of gas, and determination. The damn book that had plagued me for so long was now half written and I was going to finish it before the end of the year. No doubts.

And now I was claiming Jackson as mine.

I cracked open my door and found Charley waiting in a pale pink chiffon dress. It was feminine and soft and very much the opposite of the tough-as-nails athlete she usually dressed like. "You surprise me in the best ways."

"The fact that my surprises amuse you instead of drive you away are why we work, babe. I've got to warn you, it's a fucking zoo down there. We ran out of chairs but that's not a problem because people brought their own. They also brought food. To a wedding. People here are weird."

I followed her outside to the waiting Bronco. "They know more people showed up than we prepared for, so they organized a potluck to go along with everything Scottie and Annie made for us."

"Wild." After she made sure no part of my dress might accidentally get stuck in the door, she closed it and rounded the hood. "But also kinda cool? I dunno." She slammed her own door and threw the truck into drive. "They're almost like an enormous family, complete with meddling aunts and gossipy busybodies. Do you know I've been asked by no less than three people—people that I don't know, mind you—if I'm staying for the winter and if I am, where I'll be living?"

"Well, are you? Staying, that is." I fidgeted in the seat, trying to find a comfortable way to sit. I was glad we'd be doing a lot of standing for the rest of the day because Jackson took his husbandly duties very seriously this morning.

Very. Seriously.

She shrugged as she careened down the crazy steep road like it was nothing. But that was Charley, no fear. Just gas. "So far I'm enjoying the quaint charm of your new town. But that's also the appeal of the camper. I can roll out of town any time I damn well please." Then she waved her hand through the air. "You see this insanity?"

"Oh my." The pavilion Digger built was full, not that that stopped the people of Lost Creek. "This looks like a tailgate." Groups sat in folding chairs, the kind you take to kids sporting events. I even spotted binoculars. "This is...this is ridiculous and so lovely."

I'd always kind of side-eyed the expressionmy heart grew.But it did. It absolutely did when I saw how desperately everyone wanted to be a part of our day.

"You should have had security," Charley muttered as she parked near the makeshift aisle Scottie was trying to enforce.

"They're not here for me."

She parked so that I was still hidden by the Bronco and came around to help me down. She fussed over my blue flats and the hem of my skirt before checking that my veil was still holding strong. "What do you mean they're not here for you? You're rich and famous. I'm sure you're the newest local curiosity."

"They're here to see Jackson get married. Oh, they appreciate my celebrity but they adore my fiancé and want to finally see him happy."

She cocked an eyebrow. "All these people are here for Jackson? The yeti who, I admit, looks damn fine in a cowboy hat?"

"That's the one."

Scottie threw his hands in the air. "You better get a move on. I can't make them behave!"

Charley snorted. "I like that guy. He also controls the beer, right?"

"That's the one. And he's taken."

"All the best ones are."

That wasn't true. Some of them were just hiding in dark forests. "Let's do this."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Someone started strumming a guitar as Charley walked down the aisle, offering kind smiles and the occasional kick to someone who edged into the space meant for me. She wove through the makeshift crowd, up the two steps to the pavilion, and down the actual aisle to where Jackson stood with Travis.

Every head swung my way and I didn't make them wait. I picked my way through the same crowd while Scottie threw death glares at anyone who might topple over into me in their attempt to see as much as possible.

There were murmurs and whispered comments, but I didn't hear any of it on my way to Jackson. I was aware of my mother sniffling and Travis grinning but only in an almost subconscious way. All I could really see was Jackson waiting for me in that suit that scrambled my brains.

"You are stunning," he murmured as he took my hands in his.