Page 146 of Peaks and Promises

And I needed to be practical. Too easy to lose the kid if I couldn’t enclose him in a vehicle, especially if we had to stop along the way.

I left, unseen, and found a car someone had been stupid enough to leave unlocked. It was old and easy to hot-wire, and I was soon on my way.

Pieces of a plan came to me as I drove. Montana. I had an uncle out there. He’d put us up for a while. It was the perfect place to hide.

Mayhem might come looking for me. But if it came to that, I’d deal with them. And we wouldn’t stay. Montana would give us a place to start. From there, maybe we’d head to Canada.

Me and my boy. The way it always should have been.

And the best part? Summer probably knew what those pieces of shit had done to me. Roxi would have told her. Last time, I’d gotten cocky and put them on their guard.

This time, they’d have no idea I was coming.

CHAPTER 35

Summer

Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes as I watched Penelope walk up the aisle beneath the blue sky. Her gown was white satin with a V-neck—simple and elegant. Marigold had done her hair in a low bun, leaving wavy tendrils around her face. She was radiant.

Theo watched her approach with a smile that made my heart ache. His happiness at seeing his bride was infectious, filling the air. Marlene dabbed beneath her eyes, and even Paul wore his emotions on his face, with a smile that spoke volumes.

I stood with the other bridesmaids, holding my colorful bouquet, feeling both honored to be there and incredibly out of place. The other women were Penelope’s sisters-in-law—her family. I was just Reese’s fake wife, and I wouldn’t even be that for much longer.

The ceremony began, and a warm breeze stirred the surrounding flowers, releasing their scent into the air. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful setting than Salishan Cellars Winery. Vineyards traced across the hillsides, and the mountain peaks rose in the background.

Before the officiant had gotten very far, little Emily ran to Zachary and held up her arms. With a grin, he picked her up. A second later, his other two nieces—toddlers like Emily—followed their cousin and ran for their daddies. The officiant paused again so Josiah and Garrett could scoop up their daughters.

Just when I thought that was the cutest thing I’d ever witnessed, Emily reached for her uncle Reese. Surprise flashed across his face as he took her in his arms, and there were soft laughs and sighs from the guests.

My ovaries exploded.

With the little ones settled—for the moment, at least—the ceremony continued. Nate sat in the front row, between Paul and Thomas, looking like a proper young man in a button-down shirt and tie. He’d changed so much in the short time we’d been in Tilikum. It wasn’t just that he was growing up—he was, faster than I could have imagined—but the sadness that had clung to him had lifted. He sat up straighter, and his expression was on the brink of a smile instead of a sullen frown.

Tears finally spilled down my cheeks, my entire body filling with emotion. My son was starting to thrive, the specter of Mayhem no longer haunted me, and for the first time in my life, I’d found a place I could call home.

The bride and groom began their vows, and as they spoke, Reese met my eyes. It was all I could do to keep from sobbing. A few happy tears at a wedding were one thing—Theo and Penelope gazed at each other with so much love, half the guests were wiping their eyes—but I didn’t want to make a scene. He held my gaze, and I wondered what was going through his mind.

Probably how to tell me he was leaving.

The growing distance between us was undeniable, and for days, I’d had the distinct sense that he was wrestling with something. He’d become quiet and pensive, and he hadn’t so much as touched me. It felt like he was preparing us both for the inevitable.

Which made watching him in a suit and tie, holding a toddler, while he stood up for his brother’s wedding almost unbearable.

The ceremony ended, and the wedding party filed out behind the bride and groom. I checked on Nate before ducking into the bathroom to make sure I didn’t have mascara running down my face—thank goodness for waterproof—and joined the guests for the reception.

Tables were arranged in a garden area surrounded by trees and flowers. Servers passed out wine and other drinks, and a charcuterie table was laid out with an enticing array of food. There was even a special kids’ table with crackers, fruit, and cubed cheese just for them. Nate sat next to Thomas with Emily on his lap, and Thomas’s twin sisters giggled over cups of sparkling cider.

Melanie came over with two glasses of white wine and handed one to me.

“Thanks.” I took a sip. “Well, that was beautiful.”

“Wasn’t it? I almost burst into tears like ten times.”

“I basically did. Thank goodness I didn’t completely ruin my makeup.”

“No, you look great.”

“This is the first real wedding I’ve ever been to.”