Page 21 of After this Summer (Seasons in Montana: Summer #11)

BEAU

I ndie’s alarm blares and I groan, pulling her tighter against my chest, my hand resting on her belly, our baby moving and ready for the day.

“Five more minutes,” I groan and she sighs.

“We already hit the snooze button.”

“Shh.”

It’s Thursday and our wedding day.

The official one at least.

We’d moved things around so her brother’s girlfriend, Nessa, could make the ceremony.

She’ll have to fly out late tonight to make it back to Nashville for her game Saturday.

She’s the sweeper for the Tennessee Tornadoes, Nashville’s professional soccer team.

Indie said Nessa announced her retirement following the end of this season, so it’s a big deal that she’s there to play while she can.

“I have to go get my hair done,” she murmurs.

“I like your hair like this,” I tell her, nuzzling my face into the blonde strands fanned over the pillow. She snorts and I grin, pressing my lips against the column of her throat.

“You’ll finally get to wear your ring.”

“Will you still draw the heart?”

“Do you want me to?”

There’d been a desperation in the way she’d marked me that night and I like it. I hate when it fades and I tuck away every little smile she gives me while she does it again.

“I like it.”

“Then I’ll draw it.”

“Good.”

“Beau?”

“Hmm?”

“Your five minutes is up.”

“That five minutes is,” I tell her, sliding my hand down between her legs and under the elastic of her panties.

“We don’t have time, ” she whines even as she pushes her ass back against me.

“They’re not gonna start without us, Stunner, and I think it’s only right to make sure my wife is satisfied before the wedding.”

“Stop talking and get inside me.”

“Whatever my bride wants…”

INDIE

“You look beautiful,” Mama says, looking at me in the mirror, her hand clasped in mine and her eyes watery.

“Thank you for bein’ here,” I manage, a lump of emotion lodged in my throat and my southern accent back in full force after having my family here in Montana.

“There is nowhere I’d rather be.” Her hand presses gently against my belly as the photographer snaps a picture, the moment unscripted but so beautiful.

I feel like a bride, my favorite tan cowboy boots with the white stitching on my feet and a white flowy dress that hits right above my knees keeping me comfortable but still like I’m about to get married.

Married.

Again.

But maybe…

“Are you questioning whether or not my brother actually loves you? Because anyone with eyes can see he’s a mess over you.”

Jesse’s words have played over and over in my mind since I’d seen him at the barn. I’d been so focused on trying to separate my feelings where Beau’s concerned but he’s never wavered in the way he cares for me.

The way he loves me.

He loves me.

I know he does.

And if I’m honest, I love him too and not just because I’m carrying his baby or because I’m still so lost in my professional life.

But because he’s the steadiest person in my world. He’s humored every middle of the night craving, never complained when I get up forty-seven times to use the bathroom or when I needed another fan because apparently I get hot flashes now.

But only sometimes.

And I never know when I want to cuddle and when I don’t.

He brought me back to myself.

He’d heard me in the truck and he heard me in the house when we’d gotten home from the courthouse. I’d been reeling and he grounded me—made me feel present and loved and worthy.

Worshipped.

Sexy.

Empowered.

“Where’s my phone?” I ask frantically, my heart racing like a runaway train. Elora smiles as she hands it to me.

“Everything all right?”

“Yes, of course. I just…”

My words trail off as I type out a text—not to Beau, but to Jesse.

INDIE: It’s not fake

JESSE: I know

INDIE: Or temporary

JESSE: I know that too

INDIE: I need to see him

Three little dots appear and then disappear before his message comes in.

JESSE: Give me five minutes and go downstairs to the kitchen. Walk to the right out the door and wait at the corner – he’ll be there.

INDIE: Thank you

JESSE: Does this get me out of painting?

INDIE: Nope

JESSE: Didn’t think so

Smiling, I excuse myself, promising I’ll be back in just a minute before disappearing down the hall so I can start my life with Beau.

For real.