Page 88 of Beyond the Blue Horizon

Raven was dressed in this long, tight black lace dress and sky-high boots.

Swore, she gave a whole new name to maternity attire.

She lifted a section of the rope to usher me in. “I thought you were going to miss the big surprise. Kane’s going to tell Emery he needs to grab something out of his office but is going to convince her to come in with him, so we need to be ready!”

She looked at her phone, both flustered and excited, lifting her voice so everyone around her could hear. “They should be here in about ten minutes, so grab drinks and get ready.”

In thought, she chewed at the tip of a long, pointy black nail, her brow pinching in worry. “Maybe I should have gotten a drape or something so we could all jump out from behind it?”

Charleigh slipped out of the booth. The sweet as hell woman giggled under her breath as she moved to take Raven’s hand.

When Charleigh came into town, the two had become fast friends, and it was no surprise with how good these two were that they welcomed Emery right into the fold.

“It’s perfect as it is. Emery is going to love it,” Charleigh promised.

Raven pouted a little. “I hope so.”

“You couldn’t mess this up if you tried,” Otto grumbled as he sauntered up behind her, slipping his arms back around her waist.

He sent me a grin. “Hey, man.”

“Good to see you,” I returned.

River came up, giving an easy clap to my back, though I could see the flash of worry that swam in his eyes. “All good?”

I let my attention drift to Cash who’d also stood, though he hung back the way he always did.

The rest of the crew had been filled in that I made the call to Cash about the SUV.

Cash had dug deeper, but he hadn’t found any red flags.

“It’s been quiet,” I told him.

“That’s what I want to hear,” River said, just as Raven gasped and clutched her phone to her chest.

“I just got a text from Kane, and they are pulling into the lot. Prepare yourselves! Remember, the second you see Emery, shout surprise as loud as your beautiful voices will carry.”

I shifted around so I could get into place, readying myself for Emery’s big surprise.

But it was me who was getting slammed with shock.

A fucking electric prod to the chest that knocked the breath from my lungs.

Air whirring in disorder as a figure broke through the crowd.

Wearing a long-sleeved, white sweater dress that hugged every curve of her delectable body.

Short as fuck with the same boots she had on yesterday that’d nearly had me on my knees.

The way I’d wanted to crawl for her like a needy, pathetic puppy when I’d seen her standing outside The Sanctuary’s lobby.

A rain of soft, white waves flowed around her, the neckline of her dress a deep V.

Tits nothing but a tease where they pressed against the soft fabric of her dress.

A snow goddess come to life.

Fuck me.