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“No.” I smile. “I feel great.”
“Good, I—”
A heavy knock hits the door and rattles through the small cabin. “Fuck, it’s Sheriff Woods. I knew he’d be stopping by.”
Arnie kisses my forehead softly and runs his rough hand down the side of my arm. “I need you to stay right here. He’s just got questions about Jack, I’m sure. I’ll settle everything and I’ll be back in bed with you before you know it.”
“No!” I shout out the demand as though he’s going off to war. “I’ll go with you. It’s my thing. I should explain it.”
He shakes his head and tucks the blanket up around my shoulders. “Your things are my things now, and I handle this kind of stuff. Got it?”
I’m not used to this kind of treatment, but when Arnie tells me I’m a good girl, every part of my reality transforms to some land where ecstasy is all that exists, and I need that.
“Okay,” I squeak. “I’ll stay put but promise me you’ll be back fast.”
He grins. “Sheriff Woods and I go way back. I’ll be back in bed in less than ten minutes.”
I nod and hold his hand until he’s too far away and the sound of the men’s voices echo through the halls.
Maybe I should listen. It’s probably important that I know what’s going on, but I hear a lot of laughter. Probably too much given the circumstance. Besides that, my mind won’t stop spinning.
Life has never been this good for me. I’ve never had a man treat me like Arnie does. A man who wants to lay next to me, but also wants to protect me. A man who sees me and genuinely wants me. A man who’s willing to kidnap me to keep me safe.
The front door closes, and Arnie returns with a smile. “All set. Jack will be fine, but Sheriff Woods is going to hold him on stalking charges until someone sets bail. At the very least he’ll learn his lesson.”
I reach out for Arnie’s hand. “That’s one thing we’ve got figured out. Now we have to tell my mom we’re dating. That’s going to be weird.”
He drags in a deep breath and cuddles me closer. “One step at a time, princess. We’ll figure it all out together. I promise.”
The funny thing, I know he’s right. Whatever happens, we have each other, and that’s all I need.
Epilogue
Arnie
Two Weeks Later
Grace looks like an angel. I realize everyone says that and it sounds cheesy as hell, but I mean it. Her brown hair lays like a halo as her white gown surrounds her thick frame. She’s standing in front of me beneath the handmade elk antler arch I’ve been working on all week.
Chap is officiating the ceremony. He’s a deacon and part of Rugged Mountain MC. We’ve been good friends for as long as I can remember. He stands tall in front of us, his hand pulling at his beard. “You can recite your vows whenever you’re ready.”
I drag in a deep breath, trying to remember everything I rehearsed, but I’ve decided at the last minute to speak from the heart. “My princess. My beautiful, little Grace. I promise to love you for an eternity and then some. I promise to give you a world filled with beauty and patience, a life drenched in love and acceptance, and I swear to be the man who lifts you when you fall and carry you when you need reassurance. Your love brought me to life, and with you, I know every day will be a day worth living.”
Grace wipes away a tear, and then another. It’s cold outside, but I’m glad we decided to have the ceremony up at the cabin. I want to walk outside and remember these moments forever. Every Christmas when we’re pulling in the tree, I want to see the ghost of this ceremony out of the corner of my eye.
“Arnie,” Grace starts, her gaze on me, “you locked me away and showed me what true love means, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. You’re a protector, a lover, a fighter, a great cook,” she giggles, “and my forever. I promise to love you, cherish you, be faithful to you, and honor you, all the days of our life. Also, I promise to stop by the diner every Sunday and stock up on frozen soups, and to stop stealing the spatula from your drawer at work.” She smiles wide again.
“I knew it was you.”
She grins and we exchange rings before turning toward the small group of people that we’ve invited up to the cabin.
Holly berries hang on a tight line of fishing wire, a homemade touch that Grace worked on this week. She wants to put it on the tree later. I have to say, it’s only been two weeks, but she’s really made the place a home.
“You may kiss the bride,” Chap announces.I lean intomy girl… my wife,and hold her close. My lips touch hers and a simple peck turns into a deep, passionate kiss. Our tongues against one another, her hands on my face, mine on her throat. The world disappears around us, and for a brief moment, we’re alone on the mountain once again.
We continue with this for some time until Chap clears his throat and we’re brought back to reality.
“Mr. and Mrs. Brooks.” Chap laughs and everyone claps.
