Page 97 of Rocky Mountain Devil

Laurel listened eagerly as he explained his plans for a sneak elopement less than a week away. She dove into helping with preparations, thrilled for her friend.

The hardest part was making sure she avoided meeting Nicole in person because keeping Troy’s secret would be impossible if Nic got suspicious and outright asked for information.

The planning also gave her something different to focus on other than spending time with Rafe, or dodging Jeff.

The man was being a royal pain in her side—more than usual—but she didn’t want to get Rafe riled up by complaining.

Jeff wasn’t…

Well, he wasn’tdeliberatelyrude. He hadn’t come right out and asked her for a date, but he seemed to show up like a shadow every time she turned around. At the grocery store, asking if she had any recipes to share. At the library, looking for books for his research topics, and what was she reading these days?

At the frickin’ gas pump.Could he help check her tire pressure?

It was annoying as hell, and yet could be explained away as just small-town life where it was common to bump into people all the time.

Yes, having something as exciting as a wedding to help plan was a welcome distraction.

“I’ve found these perfect candles—like the ones you had in the hayloft,” she told Rafe, when they talked on the phone at night, right before it was time to crawl into bed.

“Told you my brilliance would help you someday,” he gloated. “You’re not overdoing it between work and this wedding, are you, Sitko? You sound tired.”

She wasn’t about to explain about her sleep troubles, either. Another side effect of having Jeff around so much. Her brain insisted on going back over the troubles she’d faced in her past, like some twisted sitcom on repeat loop. “Had a rough night or two, but I’ll be fine. The wedding is in a couple days, and once it’s over, this weekend you and I can enjoy a lazy day together. Maybe even catch a nap.”

“A real nap,” he insisted. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

“Don’t get bossy, Coleman,” she warned.

Only the Friday morning they were due at the wedding site, Laurel got a five a.m. call from Rafe, and he was the one who sounded exhausted and lost.

“Sorry. I can’t make it.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m holding down the fort. Allison’s in the hospital. She lost the baby last night. Gabe’s with her.”

Laurel’s throat tightened. She could barely speak as a rush of memories threatened to take her under.

“I’m sorry. I’m so…” She fought for control, looking down at her hands. She was gripping the edge of the table tight enough her fingers were going numb. “I’ll pass on your good wishes to Troy and Nicole, and I’ll stop by the hospital as soon as I can.”

It was a mixed-up, crazily emotional day. Everything at the sunrise wedding was beautiful, the fresh white snow reflecting the flickering light of battery-operated candles. The entire area seemed filled with winter fireflies as Troy and Nicole stood in front of friends and families to exchange their vows.

It wasn’t right to add any sorrow to a day that should be nothing but wonderful for two people who had come through their own moments of hurt. So Laurel held in her sadness, smiling at the appropriate times, hugging Nicole fiercely while pretending she wasn’t grieving over Gabe and Allison’s loss.

She skipped out of the celebration breakfast early, heading to the hospital to see if Allison needed anything.

Laurel found Gabe leaning against the wall outside Allison’s room, face held stiff, dark shadows under his closed eyes. He’d clearly been crying, and to see the strong man reduced to such misery churned her gut all over again.

She must’ve made a noise because he glanced up, offering a wan smile. He opened his arms and she rushed forward to hold him tightly. “I’m sorry.”

He patted her back, and she stood there until he let go.

“Thanks for coming,” he said. “Not much we can do, though.”

“Just knowing she’s not alone will help.” Laurel hesitated only for a second. “Do you need someone to talk to? I mean, maybe not me, but my dad, or anyone else? I’ll help however I can.”

Gabe brushed at his eyes before nodding slightly. “I’ll let you know.” He cleared his throat and tilted his head toward the door. “Let me check if she’s up to seeing you.”

Laurel waited in the hallway as helplessness overtook her. The next strongest emotion was that cold, aching rock inside of sadness and guilt that she’d worked so hard over the past couple years to move on from.