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“What?”
Bennett shook his head, then lifted her hand to kiss the back of it. “You heard me.” He winked, and they moved to join the party.
And it was a party. A celebration of Thanksgiving like none Hazel had remembered. Possibly because the holiday was often celebrated quietly in her cabin. Alone. Sometimes she’d made it to town, and then it was a small affair with Mama B and Janie.
This year they had all gathered at the recently dried in and powered Lake Shore Splendor. Hunter and Janie had invited—enthusiastically—them all to a dinner they would make.
Together.
Something giddy danced within as Hazel thought of her brother and her best friend finally reconciled. Together at long last.
The evening plunged forward. Dinner was as expected—delicious and more than enough, thanks to Janie’s culinary efforts—along with some assistance from not only Mama B but Gemma and Tara as well. As darkness enfolded the lake and the lodge, the gathering made their way onto the front deck. The lights twinkled happily against the night, their reflections yellow gold against the black water of the lake.
Splendor indeed. Hunter certainly had a vision.
“Guys, will you give me just a minute?” Hunter spoke from alongside the railing, his arm draped over Janie and the twinkle lights just bright enough to reveal his wide smile.
“Congratulations on the lodge, my friend!” José lifted his mug of cinnamon cider. “It is awesome.”
“Thanks.” Hunter gripped his friend’s shoulder, then he ran a hand down his bearded face. “But that’s not the reason I want you to raise your cider mugs.” His grin stretched as wide as the Montana sky. “My friends, let’s raise a toast to the woman who prepared this amazing Thanksgiving meal for us. To Janie—the love of my life.”
Mugs lifted, and a smattering of chuckles sounded through the group as everyone said “to Janie!” with heartfelt enthusiasm.
Janie beamed, though she ducked her head and waved off the praise. “I had help, and you all know it.”
“I just need one more minute.” Hunter turned to face Janie at his side, securing her hand in his.
“One more minute for what?”
Hunter knelt on the snow-dusted deck, and everyone drew in a collective breath. “One more minute to step into a life I’ve been yearning for. Janie Elizabeth Truitt, I’ve loved you since I was fifteen. I swear I’m going to love you until they put me in my grave. Will you marry me already?”
Janie stared at him, stunned. Then a tiny grin grew into full joy that mixed laughter and tears into one animated nod. She swiped her cheek, sniffed, and sputtered a “Yes!”
And in a half a breath, Hunter was on both feet and had her swept into his arms.
Hazel watched her brother and her best friend as they spun around in utter happiness. How could her heart feel so full and yet hollow at the same time? Biting her bottom lip, she clapped along with the rest of the gathering. And she dared to glance at Bennett, who stood near the railing opposite her.
His gaze had already locked on her. So much love there. But the hope? It wasn’t in that long-held look. Instead, in the depths of those beautiful blue eyes was an ache. She felt it in that hollow corner of her heart.
The corner that wouldn’t budge, wouldn’t be filled, and wouldn’t be ignored.
Hazel lowered her eyes, finding her fur-lined mukluks, and released a quiet, shuddering breath. How could she be this broken? Squeezing her eyes shut, the question settled heavy in her heart.
Bennett had found healing.
Hunter had found healing.
Janie had found it too.
Suddenly Hazel felt lonelier and more isolated than she ever had in all of her years living up at Elk Lake alone.
She was broken. And she wanted healing, the kind the people she loved had found.
But maybe it wasn’t available for her.
Bennett held Hazel’s hand as they walked toward the shadowy outline of her cabin. The soft crunch of snow beneath their feet and the occasional whisper of a breeze were the only sounds. Since passing through the cover of trees, neither had spoken a word.
In the silence, Bennett attempted to organize his thoughts. The evening had been perfect—and a beautiful celebration of life and hope and gratitude, capped by Hunter and Janie’s engagement.
