Page 74 of Caleb's Salvation

“They’re all drunk and I don’t get to be. I want the next wedding to be after I’ve had the baby.”

“I’ll let Jackson know.”

I stood and made my way to where the three other women were heading to the bar. I caught Vivienne’s hand and she took a few stumbling steps toward me. This was probably not good.

“Where’s Sam?”

“With Zeke Jr. practicing his defense maneuvers. Eve didn’t want to come with us because she says she’s got too much stuff to do for the wedding. You should see the house, Caleb. It’ssooooo prreeettttyyyyy.”

I brushed her cheek, wondering if that red flush was going to come off like blush. It wasn’t.

“You wishing we did something a little bigger now?”

She shook her head slowly. “Un-unh. I just wanted us to be family as soon as we could be. And that’s what we are now.”

Yes. That’s what we were now. Her, me and Sam. My second chance. My salvation.

“Lay off the booze for the rest of the night or you’ll be hurting tomorrow.”

“Okay. Hey, psst. I love you.”

I cupped her face in my hands and dropped a kiss on her champagne-tasting lips. “I love you more.”

“Not possible. Now, I have to warn you, Shelby’s got this idea in her head...”

“STRIPPING OIL RIGGERS!”

I wasn’t sure if it was Kate or Shelby who had made that particular declaration. I only knew it wasn’t going to happen.

Vivienne beamed. “I told you!”

I bent down and scooped her into my arms. “I’m getting you out of here,” I growled.

“Just like Rhett Butler,” she crooned, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I thought about where to take her. Back to our suite at camp felt like a long way away. Then I thought about the empty cabin just outside of town. Ground central, really, for Angel’s Alaska Dating Games.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked a little drunk and clearly a lot happy to be in my arms.

“To where it all began,” I said, holding her as close as I could. “The best possible place I can think of.”

“Too late,” she said, pressing her cheek against my chest. “I’m already there.”

* * *