Page 11 of The Mountain Man’s Curvy Obsession (Mountain Man Sanctuary #15)
Clara and I are standing in front of the massive buffet table at the “Newlywed” themed picnic she’s hosting in our honor. My parents even made it. They booked their flights the minute Slade, and I told them we eloped. “More potato salad?”
“I’d love some.” I hold out my plate, and she serves me a hefty scoop. “They’re baby potatoes,” she teases, peering down at my stomach.
“Hey now, we’re looking forward to having kids, but we’ve only been married for ten days.”
“Well, when the time comes, don’t be keeping any secrets from me. I want to know immediately. I’ve been waiting far too long to become a grandmother.”
I’m smiling from ear to ear. The sun is shining; masses of my favorite wildflowers, purple lupine and orange paintbrush, are overflowing in jars and vases on all the tables.
Life is better than I ever imagined it could be.
Still, I can’t stop myself from reminding her, “It’s okay for you to keep secrets from us, but not the other way around? ”
“Gran didn’t want to influence your decision. She just wanted to bring you together so you two would have the chance to figure things out for yourselves.”
Melancholy washes over me, and my heart breaks a little. “I wish she was here. I loved that woman so much.”
“She obviously adored you too, sweetheart, but I know she’s thrilled up there, looking down from heaven.
” One of Slade’s distant cousins interrupts us.
I don’t remember his name. There are over a hundred people here, and I’m having a tough time keeping track of everyone.
Clara excuses herself, and I watch as the two stroll towards the house.
I take my food to the nearest picnic table and spot Slade and Zephyr loading their plates at the buffet. I wave and catch Slade’s attention so he knows where I am.
We were both flabbergasted after Clara finally fessed up.
She and all of Slade’s brothers were there at the Boise Courthouse when we said our vows.
We went out to dinner after the quick ceremony, and that’s when Clara spilled the beans and confessed we’d been set up.
It was more than fate that brought us together.
Slade’s gran had more than a hand in it.
What were the odds that the owner of Blind Date for Life just happened to be the daughter of one of Gran’s best friends in high school?
“Miss me?” Slade cockily strides to my table and slides in next to me on the bench.
“I did,” I say honestly, with a quick kiss as Zephyr settles in across from us.
Zephyr studies me, and then shifts his attention to Slade. “Yep,” he states before biting into his hamburger. Puzzled, I glance at Slade.
“Yep, what?” He asks his brother, and we both wait for him to swallow his food. Zephyr takes all the time in the world dramatically wiping his lips with a napkin, which is pretty funny. I rarely get to see this playful side of him.
“This.” He points. “You two together.” There’s a long pause as he waits for us to understand what is apparently very obvious to him until finally he lets out a frustrated sigh.
“I wasn’t about to let you leave, Eva. Remember?
” More silence. Zephyr leans across the table and looks me directly in the eye.
“Slade was giving you a hard time, trying to throw you out of the house that morning you made breakfast. And what did I offer to do?”
His point finally hits me, and I break into a smile. “You offered me a bed at your place.” Slade frowns, shaking his head in fake disgust. I bump my elbow against his. “Zephyr was being nice.”
“No. He was butting into my business where he doesn’t belong.”
“As a big brother should when he sees his little brother making the biggest mistake of his life.” Zephyr regally lifts his chin.
My husband raises his brows. “So you’re suggesting Eva and I are married because of you?”
“No, not completely. I can’t take all the credit.” Zephyr cracks up. “But I helped. Let’s just say I did my best to keep her on this mountain.”
I’m not convinced Zephyr had any idea Slade and I would fall in love again, but I remember crying, and how miserable I felt that morning, and how relieved I was when he gave me the option of crashing at his place. “You did help, Zephyr, and I thank you for it.”
He nods, giving a self-satisfied, “You’re welcome,” before taking another bite of his burger.
“Cool. I’ll help match you up too,” Slade comments, popping a strawberry in his mouth. He gives me a sly grin, and whispers, “In three, two …”
“No,” Zephyr states emphatically, and Slade throws his head back in a laugh.
“I knew you’d react that way. But seriously, big brother, you’re going to be fifty before you know it. Do you really want to live alone for the rest of your life?”
“Just because I refrain from telling the world who I’m seeing, doesn’t mean I don’t have company. Frequently.”
Slade waves him off. “I’m not talking about hookups; I'm talking about real companionship and being with a woman you’re crazy about.” He turns to me. “Someone who makes you as happy as Eva makes me.”
Zephyr’s expression softens. He looks off in the distance as if he’s genuinely considering the possibility of a lasting relationship.
He shrugs. “I guess if I had some young, hot little blonde after me, and she was normal, and gave me my space, cooked for me and let me fu,”—he stops himself.
“And was very loving all the time. Who knows? Maybe I would settle down. You never know.”
Thank you so much for reading The Mountain Man's Curvy Obsession. If you loved Slade and Eva's Story then you'll love Josiah and Wynonna’s story in The Mountain Man’s Second Chance Bride.