Page 28 of Fire Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #1)
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Music flowed around them as they stepped off the dais. Eliana squeezed Ash’s hand, emotions overflowing. They strolled back down the aisle, and family and friends lined up to greet them at the end. Corey appeared first. He pulled his son into a fatherly embrace and then turned to take Eliana’s hand.
“You are more beautiful than an apple blossom, Eliana,” he said, smiling. “Willow would have loved this wedding. She always said Fate Mountain brought everyone a happy ending.”
Next Holly and Elias approached. “Look at you both,” Holly teased, “finally tying the knot under all these blooms. I’m glad I could help coordinate the floral arch.” Holly’s eyes danced with pride. She glanced around at the ribbons overhead. “You have no idea how many blossoms we wired together.”
Eliana thanked her, eyes stinging with emotion. She still remembered how Holly had shown up one morning, arms laden with flowers, insisting they decorate the orchard to its fullest potential.
Reed followed with a wide grin and a quick handshake for Ash, then he pulled Eliana into a hug. “I never believed my big brother would leave that bachelor cave of his. But if anyone could do it, it’s you.” His voice rang with laughter that made Eliana chuckle.
Ash rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. “Look who’s talking. You live with Dad.”
Ivy approached next. She offered a composed smile as she adjusted the simple corsage on her wrist. “Congratulations,” she said quietly. “You two are a beautiful new pair and a testament to the continued success of mate.com.”
Zoe and Rolo arrived together, their steps in sync. Zoe wore a dress that shimmered in the light, and her catlike eyes sparkled with mischievous pride. “So,” she purred, “the big grizzly found his mate at last.” She reached out to give Eliana a swift, enthusiastic hug.
“Welcome to the family,” Rollo said. “We’re honored to have you.” Eliana’s heart warmed at those words. She felt like she belonged to something bigger than herself now, bound by love and acceptance.
Mateo and his mother came next. The excitement glowing in his eyes nearly brought her to tears. “Thank you for everything,” he said. “If not for you, and for Chief Bright, I wouldn’t even be here to see this.” His mother stood behind him, pressing a hand to his shoulder in silent agreement.
Eliana blinked back tears, recalling how close they had come to losing Mateo. She reached out and clasped his hand gently. “You are more than just an apprentice, Mateo. You’re both like my family.” His mother gave an appreciative nod, as Eliana clasped her hand.
Talia hurried over in a swirl of lavender bridesmaid fabric. She glowed with the same sense of relief Eliana felt. “Everything is so perfect,” she exclaimed, pulling Eliana into a tight hug. “The reception is all set up.”
Gerald hung back until Talia stepped away, then offered Eliana a dignified bow of the head. “Thank you for trusting me to walk with you,” he said, his tone solemn. “It was an honor I’ll never forget.” Eliana rested a hand on his arm. “I’m the grateful one, Gerald,” she replied softly. “I wouldn’t have asked anyone else.”
The bustling crowd drifted toward the open bar and appetizer stations in the reception area. A line of wooden barrels formed a bar for ciders, chilled champagne, and even a few fancy cocktails named after orchard varieties, curated by Talia.
Rows of tiny pastries and cheese platters adorned long tables beneath the shady boughs. Servers in crisp uniforms wove through the clusters of guests, offering fruit skewers and local honey-glazed bites.
A corner of the orchard featured a whimsical photo booth that Holly and Talia had worked hard to assemble. People took turns posing with flower crowns, straw hats, and carved apple ornaments.
Eliana spotted Alec, Jake, Erin, and Kyle—Ash’s fellow Fire Patrol members—goofing off with the orchard props. Alec tipped a straw hat at a jaunty angle, while Jake held a wooden apple cutout near his face, prompting laughter from the others. She felt a surge of affection for the crew who had helped protect her land through the darkest days.
The soft strumming of a guitar signaled the start of the couple’s first dance. Reed was perched on a raised platform at the other end of the dance floor. A handful of other musicians joined in, adding gentle percussion and melodies that drifted sweetly among the trees. Light from the setting sun created a golden glow, illuminating everyone with a kind of hazy dreaminess.
Eliana felt Ash’s arm slide around her waist. She turned to find him smiling. “Care for our first dance, Orchard Lady?” he asked.
“I’d love it,” she said.
They moved to a wooden area designated as a dance floor. The guitar melody rose. She rested her free hand on his shoulder as he swept her into his arms. Guests circled around, some snapping photos. Apple petals drifted around them. Ash gazed down at her as they danced, and she let herself melt into him, inhaling the scent of his cologne. It felt beautiful and warm, like the home she’d always longed for.