Page 18 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

She got it. She’d had eight weeks to untangle it and still felt like it wasn’t real. He was in the first moments of dealing with the entire mental change, and if he needed to hold her for the rest of the night, she would have understood.

When he finally let her up, he shook his head slightly. “Sorry if I screw this up. I’m excited but also scared to death.”

Exactly what she was dealing with. “Trust me, I get it.”

Finn caught her hands in his, linking their fingers together. “I'm going to trust that everything goes smoothly. I'm going to trust that you stay safe. But I also know I'm going to have nightmares.”

“We can’t do anything but hope right now,” Karen pointed out.

“I’m hoping like crazy,” Finn said. “But I’m worried, too. I don’t want you to be hurt. Not physically, but not emotionally either. I know how hard it’s been. When things weren’t happening.”

Karen nodded slowly. “When we didn’t think we could have kids, we said that we’d be okay. Sad, but okay. That you and I were enough, and that’s still true. If everything goes well, we’ll welcome another family member into our lives and do everything we can to enjoy every minute of it.” She took a deep breath. “And if it still ends up that it’s just you and me, we will be enough. I mean that. I love you so much.”

“So just take it one day at a time?” Finn eyed her. “And see a doctor ASAP…”

“Yes.” She nodded decisively. “We’ll make an appointment tomorrow. I know we’re still going to hold our breaths for a few weeks until we’re…sure.”

“But we’ll do it together,” Finn promised. He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. “I’m so excited.”

“Me too.” No matter how big her happiness inside was, it still came out a whisper.

And that was okay. Sometimes hope and excitement were a quiet wind blowing on a cold, moonlit night.

3

Petra

Pictures were piling up nicely in her file marked WEDDING IN A BOX. She’d wanted to wait until there were enough to get an idea of how best to place the lot, but with a couple dozen photos available to play with, Petra couldn’t wait any longer.

Sunshine poured in the window of her and Aiden’s apartment, so she twisted the computer to a better angle on the kitchen table. Then she rubbed her hands together with glee, cackled loudly, and dove in.

Minutes later, a firm hand landed on her shoulder. “Petra.”

“Huh?” She glanced up and blinked hard. “Hey. What’s up?”

“I’ve called your name five times,” Aiden teased. “You’re far too focused.”

She wiggled in her seat, swearing when she checked the clock. “Is that really the time?”

“Yes.”

Drat. She’d been at it for two hours. “Oops. I’m late for supper.”

He leaned over her shoulder, admiring the screen. “Tansy said to come find you, so you’re not in the naughty corner—yet. Those look amazing.”

“Isn’t it fun?” Petra moved the mouse and adjusted the screen size so he could see the entire image at once. “We’ve already gotten so many photos that I’ve decided we’ll need more than one collage. Good thing we took a bunch of shots of us to use as centerpieces with the rest of our friends framing us.”

“Well, it is our wedding, so us in the starring position is acceptable.” Aiden poked his nose closer to her computer. “Is that…a fairy?”

Petra snorted. “Cupid. Madison, whom I know from Girls’ Night Out—her husband is Ryan from Rough Cut—their littlest is six months old. I have no idea how they made that kid wings, but Mikayla looks adorable.”

“Adorable, yes, but why is she aiming her arrow at Cody Gabrielle from Red Boot ranch?”

Petra did a double take. “She’s shooting at us.”

“Ahh.” He shrugged. “I’m already well and truly speared by love’s arrow. She can shoot Cody if she wants.”

A laugh escaped. “People were so creative. My oldest sister dressed the entire family in bright yellow with pink accents. They nearly glow, they’re so bright.”

Aiden twisted her chair to face him then tugged her to her feet and into his arms. “After supper, I want to see all the pictures. It’s going to be a fantastic memory for us to look back on over the years.”

“Putting this together makes it feel as if they were a part of our wedding.” Petra eased into full hug mode, loving how perfect it was to be there with him. “They all look so happy for us.”

“As they should.” Aiden lifted her chin. “We might not do everything by the book, but we do this part right. We both have family and friends who are rock solid. I’m glad, and I look forward to enjoying their company in the years to come.”

“Bright yellow shirts, misaimed arrows, goats, and all,” Petra offered.

Aiden’s happy expression instantly folded into concern. “Goats?”

“Uh-huh.”

He made a face. “Do I want to know?”

She snickered. “Don’t worry. They look very festive.”

His laughter vanished under the kiss she gave him.