Page 20 of The Mountain Man's Bride

He sees my struggle and wraps his big hands around my hips gently. “Up you go, mama.”

“You look very nice in a suit.” I reach to straighten his red tie which happens to match the red bow on the front of my dress. He’s wearing a black suit that makes his dark hair and brown eyes even more striking than usual.

“Enjoy it. It’s probably the one and only time you’ll see it,” he growls.

I fake a pout. “But I like the idea of taking you out of it.”

“Don’t you worry. I have plans for you after the wedding,” he promises. He leans forward and presses a soft kiss against my lips. “I got you a present.”

I frown, wondering what it could be. Crew already spoils me. He’s always giving me gifts, cooking for me, and taking care of me in a hundred little ways. Before I even realize I have a need, he’s providing for it. “I didn’t get you anything.”

He presses a hand to my stomach, his brown eyes filled with love and devotion. “You’re giving me the family I’ve always wanted.”

Then he pulls a jewelry box from his suitcoat and passes it to me.

I open it, treasuring the gold heart with an engraved rose and the words I love you on it. “This is beautiful.” I run my fingers along the necklace the delicate charm.

“It’s a locket,” he says.

I open it and gasp when I see the picture of my dad on one side and my mom on the other. It’s such a perfect gift for our wedding.

“I know you were sad that they couldn’t be here today,” Crew explains. “And I wanted you to know they are here. Always with us.”

I try to blink back tears, but they fall anyway. “Damn you. Making a pregnant woman cry before her wedding.”

He swipes the tears away from my face with his thumbs. “I promise you, Maggie, with all of my heart, I’ll love you forever. As long as you’re with me, you’ll only cry happy tears. You are my queen.”

“Your pixie queen,” I correct. I still love that nickname. He calls me it all the time but especially when he’s happy.

He chuckles and puts the necklace on me, letting his fingertips brush against my neck. Then he sweeps me up into his arms. “Let’s go get married.”

EPILOGUE

MAGGIE

“Daddy! He burned my marshmallow again!” Angel, our six-year-old daughter complains, shooting her older brother a reproachful look.

“That’s not burned. It’s flavoring,” Miles insists. At eight years old, he’s already taller than all of the other boys in his class. He’s also exactly like his father. From his dark hair and deep brown gaze to the way he protects those he loves. Except times like now when he’s teasing his sister.

“Trade with me,” Crew says as he passes our oldest daughter his nicely browned marshmallow and accepts her burned one. Our family of six is sitting in front of the fireplace making s’mores. The wind outside is howling, and a snowstorm is predicted.

The kids are delighted to be out of school for the coming week and we’re all hunkered down at home. I plan to catch up on my reading and sneak some sexy time in with my handsome mountain man.

Crew finishes putting together his s’mores, careful not to disturb our four-year-old who has fallen asleep with her head on her daddy’s thigh. He offers me the first bite of the treat.

I shift our six-month-old daughter in my arms and lean forward to accept it, laughing when some of the sticky marshmallow hits my chin.

The look on my husband’s face tells me he wants to lick it off then spend the rest of the night licking his way all across my body.

I shiver at the wordless exchange, knowing the fun we’ll have together later tonight.

He finally reaches over with his sleeve and cleans my chin. “Soon,” he murmurs as he senses the growing need in me.

“Daddy, tell it again,” Angel says. Every time it snows, she asks for this story. She begs her father to share it with her.

“Alright, pumpkin, one more time,” he says.

She reaches for him, and he carefully settles her on his lap, somehow managing to keep the four-year-old from waking.

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