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The brunette beams. “Hiya!” She moves to step toward me, most likely for a closer greeting, when she’s caught around her middle and hauled against her husband.
“Don’t push it,” he grumbles sternly, holding her tight.
She practically melts into him but accuses, “Grumpy.”
“Menace,” he counters.
“Hello from afar, dear,” she calls out, raising her voice for effect. “It’s nice to meet you. Sorry, these brutes aren’t the most welcoming. Terrible hosts, the lot of them.”
“Don’t call him dear.” I expect the reprimand to come from Bridger, but it doesn’t. Ford is the one who says it, a deep scowl furrowing his brow.
She only smiles sweetly at him, clearly unbothered by the protective nature of his comment. He softens with only one look from her, and I don’t know what to make of this dynamic, but it’s really none of my business. No matter how curious I might be.
“Well, come inside!” Stella cheers. “I’ve made cupcakes.”
I turn to Weston at my side, getting a nod of approval before I make a move to follow the group indoors. We’re quickly directed into a large sitting room that doesn’t feel quite so large with nine people in it. The crowded nature of it doesn’t last long though. Stella shoos almost everyone out, telling them to discuss whatever needs discussing elsewhere, leaving me alone with her and Ford who’s elected to stay behind.
“Cupcake?” Stella offers, holding out a plate with four of them, settling down next to me on the leather couch she had me sit on. Ford takes a nearby chair, watching the pair of us openly. Noticing me glancing at him, she chuckles. “Ignore him, he’s paranoid. He thinks I’ll fall ill or disappear if he looks away for even a minute.” Since I haven’t answered, she asks again, “Cupcake?”
“Um, sure,” I agree, not wanting to be rude. I take a red velvet one, holding it without taking a bite. “Your house is really nice.”
If it’s possible, her smile widens. “Thank you! The boys built it, obviously, but I did all the interior stuff a couple of years ago when I moved in. I kept it pretty rustic so they’re all still comfortable in it, but phew, it was a mess before.”
“I bet,” I chuckle. “Living with six men…” I trail off, trying to picture it. “I don’t think I could handle it. Definitely not as well as you seem to.”
Stella offers a prideful look. “I like having a big family. I’m never lonely now.”
I couldn’t be more glad to be away from my big family, but I don’t say that. I’m glad she’s happy with the way her home life is. For me though, being with Weston and Weston alone is more than enough company. I don’t think I could ever feel lonely living with him.
“That’s nice,” I comment. “I’m really grateful that you guys are willing to hear Weston and me out. I’ve been getting really worried so… well, it means a lot.”
“Of course!” Stella blurts. “I owe Weston so much—”
“No you don’t,” Ford interrupts. “He told you to stop saying that.”
She huffs, rolling her eyes. “Okay, well I appreciate what Weston did for me back then, so I’ve been hoping to pay him back in some way ever since.”
This is news to me.“Pay him back?”
“Oh!” Her eyes widen in surprise. “He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me…?”
“Well, that Weston saved my life of course.”
“H-he did?”
“Yep.” She smiles softly. “Pulled me out of my totaled car right before it burst into flames. I was driving up here, running to Bridger, when I crashed into the side of a smaller hill. Driving up the mountains in the snow with an old rear-wheel drive car is not a great idea.
“If it weren’t for Weston coming around the road a few minutes after me, I don’t know what would have happened. My leg was broken in two places and my back was so sore from the crash, I don’t think I could have crawled out by myself.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, it was not a fun time,” she admits. “And now I don’t drive up these hills, snow or not.”Can’t blame her for that. I wouldn’t either.Fondly, she adds,“I also don’t run away from Bridger anymore.”
“You’d run from him?” I ask, hardly believing it. Anyone would say they seem desperately in love. I can see it, and I’ve only just met them.
“Well, he proposed on our second date.” Flushing like she’s recalling the memory, she grins. “Scared me right off for a whole week before I packed all my bags and stubbornly decided to drive back to him. I could have called, and he would have gotten me, but I was a bit impatient back then.”
