Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Hunter discreetly sends him the bird and calls for Holly so he can introduce us to each other. It’s obvious from the way he has his arm around her and says her name that his heart beats for her now.
The eight of us sit down for dinner, and the conversation flows easily. I can’t remember my cabin ever feeling brighter or warmer than it does right now, surrounded by all of these people I love.
Later, when the women shoo us out of the house, the three of us hang out underneath the stars. Nate keeps absently patting his chest, like he’s comforting Danny. Except his son is inside with Callie and the girls.
“Are you doing okay?” He asks softly.
“No bullshit this time,” Hunter insists as he opens the coolers filled with beers.
I finish starting the fire in the pit and take a seat, accepting the can I’m passed. “I got an appointment. I’m going to talk to someone.”
“It’s going to get better,” Nate says.
Hunter clears his throat. “It won’t always hurt so much.”
I know that we’re talking about more than just my past as a soldier. We’re talking about the boys we were and how we came through so much pain. I glance toward the cabin. Through the sliding glass doors, I can see our women. Joy is holding Danny. She’s bouncing him in her arms and grinning down at him. Emma May is showing him a rattle while the other two women are chatting over pastries and tea.
I can’t help smiling as I see them all together. Things have already gotten so much better since meeting Joy.
“We’re loved now,” I say.
Hunter claps me on the back. “Damn straight.”
Nate nods. “Just keep our eyes on the good things.”
I know the road ahead may still have dark days and hard moments. But it’s different now because I’m not choosing to walk alone. I’m letting my family support me. “Yeah, and there’s still so much more good to come.”
Chapter 12
Joy
As soon as we step into the building, Holly gasps. It’s the sight of the grand staircase that gets to her.
“This place is stunning,” she whispers. We’re back at Club Crave. It’s been six months since I was here with Ford, and we spent a long night dancing around our feelings for each other.
“Heck, I’d make another trip down the aisle for this,” Emma May jokes. She’s here with me, Holly, Callie, and my mom. They’re my bridal party.
I’m getting married to the love of my life in just a few hours. Out of all the places we could get married, I loved the idea of coming back to where it all began, our one special night together.
I never would have imagined that I’d be allowed to get married here. After all, Club Crave isn’t known for holding weddings, despite being a beautiful venue. But when I mentioned the idea to Marsha, she didn’t hesitate to get Charles to call in some favors with his friends.
The next thing I knew, the owner of Club Crave was calling me personally to ask which date I wanted. I was floored. Charles must have made a heck of a deal with the man to get my choice of dates.
I lead my bridesmaids upstairs to the room where we all crowd in, getting ready together. Danny is here with us. He’s now an active fourteen-month-old boy. He plays happily on the floor as we get ready. Callie and Nate have been married for six months.
Hunter and Holly are planning to get married later this year. I think Holly wants a December wedding, and Hunter is willing to give her whatever she wants. He’s just as devoted to my sister as Ford is to me.
Meanwhile, Emma May and my mom have bonded over being widows. They’re friends even though their lives couldn’t be more different. My mom is the high-powered CEO of an entertainment company, and Emma May runs a grocery store in a tiny town. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if mom’s next holiday movie is set in Courage County. I have no doubt that Emma May would help make it happen.
“You are so beautiful,” Mom says as she pulls the curling iron from my hair. She puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze. Then she leans close, whispering for my ears only, “I’m happy for you. He looks at you like your father used to look at me. Like I was the only one in the world.”
I blink my eyes wide, trying desperately not to smudge my lipstick. “He’s my whole world too.”
“He’s a good boy. All my boys are good ones. No one will love you more or better,” Emma May adds to our conversation. She helps me apply one last swipe of lipstick, handing me a tissue and telling me to blot.