A few weeks later
‘What are you smiling about?’ I ask Cole, who has a big grin on his face as he sits in front of his computer.
‘I’ve been talking to your dad, and he’s shared a few photos of you from a school play.’
I groan. My dad and I have been talking pretty much every day by phone or e-mail. He was thrilled when he heard I took the leap and went all in on the relationship with Cole. As soon as I was feeling better, Dad took us out for dinner so he could meet him. The two of them hit it off and have been talking ever since. Cole was nervous at first, especially having to head into Bozeman, which is a pretty big city and a college town.
But I’d told my dad about Cole’s scar and his military time when I talked to him the night before Cole came back to me. He prepared his family, and not one of them flinched. My stepbrother thought it was pretty cool.
Before dinner, Dad had the standard questions every dad asks the guy their daughter brings home, wanting to make sure he’s a good guy. Once dinner was done, he welcomed him with open arms, especially when they found out we were engaged. The two of them disappeared into my dad’s office and had a long talk. To this day, Cole won’t tell me why they both came out with smiles on their faces and have been the best of friends since.
Last weekend, Cole met my mom. Things with us are tense, and I’ve got a lot to work through. I missed out on so much time with my dad because I accused him of things he never did. Mom is still my mom, but there are a lot of lies I have to come to terms with.
Our relationship has changed for sure, but she also welcomed Cole with open arms and treats him as if he’s been part of this family all along.
My parents have agreed to be at my wedding. It’ll be the first time they’ll be in the same room since the day my dad left and took me with him when I was six. They’ve both assured me they can be in a room together and everything will be fine, and they’ve spent time together successfully.
Cole may get along with both of them, but he made it clear he won’t stand for anyone ruining our big day. I think he earned more of my dad’s respect that day because my dad is very protective of me. Knowing Cole is just as protective made him very happy.
My dad is also overseeing the kidnapping case and ensuring Hope’s mom and her boyfriend pay the price. The last I heard, they had more charges against them in Georgia, and the kidnapping charge is the icing on the cake that will ensure they’re locked away for the rest of their lives. Hope has agreed to testify against her mother. They never had the best relationship, and her mother always chose drugs and guys over her, so there’s no love lost between them.
Cole and I started preparing the garden for next season, plowing the land, and fertilizing the soil. We also got the material we need to build the fence before winter. The guys are planning a building party to help build the greenhouse while the women do the winter prep.
They think they can have the greenhouse up and running in a weekend, and I’m excited about it. We’ve already been working on expanding our personal garden so I can work on canning fruits and vegetables and jams because I love the idea of doing that and selling it in the shop. The guys are also happy to have Cole coming to the shop every month.
Today, we’re taking the first batch of canned goods to the store. We’re also meeting with the guys and ordering everything we need for the greenhouse from Jack.
I can tell on the drive that Cole is nervous, so I lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek while he’s driving. ‘You know the guys. And I promise I will not leave your side. Everything will be fine.’
‘I know. It’s just going to take some getting used to. Bear with me,’ he says with a strained smile.
‘I have nowhere else I would rather be than right here with you. I know this takes time, but I want you to know how much it means to me that you’re trying.’
That seems to help him relax, and he holds my hand the rest of the way down the mountain. As soon as we pull into the parking lot and get ready to head inside, he tenses right up again.
We go in the back door that Hope told us to use. She spots us as soon as we come through the door and comes over to give me a hug and say hi to Cole.
‘Jack, this is my neighbor, Cole. Cole, this is the guy who owns the store. Jack is a good friend and can order anything you need,’ Cash says.
‘Good to meet you, Cole,’ Jack says without missing a beat. ‘What have you got here for me?’
‘We’ve been doing some canning and jams, and I’m wondering what will sell. It’s all locally grown,’ I tell him.
Jack’s store is part outdoor store and part locally crafted items. Axel sells his homemade jerky and hand-carved knives. Phoenix makes handmade home decor and wooden furniture. Cash sells a lot of items made from the furs of the animals he catches—blankets and coats seem to be the biggest sellers. And Bennett sells handmade weapons such as arrows, knives, and the like.
Axel’s wife, Emelie, has started making home decor from locally recycled items. Jenna, Phoenix’s wife, sells her local photography, and Hope has started selling some baked goods.
None of these guys need the money, but it’s always good to have some for a rainy day. They use it as an excuse to get together once a month, so long as they’re not snowed in.
‘We’re still on to go wedding dress shopping in a few days, right?’ Hope asks me after we get everything settled and the guys are talking.
Hope found this cute little boutique with clothes on the rack so we can try them on, and Maisie and Mrs. Tipton agreed to do our alterations should we need any. We’re getting married two weeks apart up on the mountain. Other than my parents, there’s no one outside the guys and the people here in the store right now I want at our wedding. Hope and Cash don’t have any other family joining them, so the only thing holding us up is our dresses.
Hope and I want to get married up on the mountain, so we’re having the wedding near our cabins. We have the same taste, so we’ll split the cost on decorations.
We’re lost in wedding plan talk when one of the guys clears their throat, drawing our attention.
‘I want to announce that my wife will be here in just a few weeks,’ Bennett says, and everyone goes silent.
‘Your wife? We had no idea you were seeing someone,’ Emelie says, looking shocked.
‘It’s been a bit of a long-distance thing.’ Bennett shrugs uncomfortably.
There’s more to this story, and if anyone can get to the bottom of it, it’s Emelie.
‘As soon as you are both settled, I demand you bring her over for dinner.’ Emelie glares at Bennett, who just smiles.
‘I promise.’
Everyone asks questions, and Bennett says he promises to share the entire story once his mystery woman is here.
Later that night, we’re sitting on the porch where we sat the morning we watched the sunrise after my nightmare. I’m snuggled up on Cole’s lap, and he’s wrapped us in a blanket as we watch the light leave the sky.
‘Thank you for bringing me back to life,’ he says out of the blue.
I turn to face him. ‘Thank you for giving me this life. I’m so much happier here than I ever was working at the store and the café.”
‘I might never be ready for a big city outside of visiting your parents, but every time I go into Whiskey River, it gets easier. This is our home, and I promise to be more present and active in it.’
He couldn’t have given me a better gift if he tried.
