Page 45 of Riding Dirty for Christmas

Epilogue 1

Jack

Dad catches my eye in the mirror as I adjust my tie for the hundredth time. In an hour, he'll be standing at that altar marrying Caterina, and I couldn't be prouder to stand beside him as his best man.

“Need help with that, son?” He appears beside me, looking sharp in his charcoal suit.

“Shouldn't I be asking you that?” I turn to face him. “You're the one getting married today. Any pre-wedding jitters?”

He shrugs, the gesture almost boyish despite his silver hair. “Not a single one. Marrying Caterina?” His eyes crinkle. “Only thing I've been this sure about was watching you and Eden fall in love. Some things you just know.”

Two months. It's been two months since Eden quit her job, since she came home and turned everything upside down in the best possible way. The boutique next to The HideOut opened just after New Year's, and even in the post-holiday retail slump, her “authentic designs” are drawing people from three towns over.

“Speaking of Eden...” Dad nods toward the door where my girlfriend – though not for much longer if the ring hidden in mydesk at the bar has anything to say about it – is slipping in, still in jeans and one of my flannel shirts, her hair in rollers.

“Jack!” She rushes over, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “Mom's asking for you. Something about the hot chocolate station? The caterers can't find your recipe card.”

I catch her hand before she can dash away again. “Breathe, princess. The recipe's behind the bar at The HideOut. Tony knows where.”

“Right. Yes. Breathing.” She squeezes my hand, then looks at Dad. “And you! Why aren't you dressed yet? Mom's going to?—”

“Eden.” I tug her close, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo mixed with what I suspect is peppermint syrup from the morning's taste-testing. “Everything's perfect. Go finish getting ready.”

She melts against me for just a moment, then straightens. “You're right. Of course you're right.” She heads for the door, calling over her shoulder, “But if those marshmallows aren't hand-cut squares, we're going to have words, Jack Harrison!”

Dad chuckles as the door closes behind her. “That girl...”

“Yeah.” I straighten my tie one last time, thinking of the ring waiting at the bar. Soon. Maybe after the boutique's spring collection launch. Or during the cherry blossom festival she keeps talking about. “That girl's going to be my wife.”

Dad's eyes soften. “You know, son, when I moved here to reconnect with you, I never imagined we'd both find happiness with?—”

A knock at the door interrupts us. Tony pokes his head in, already in his groomsman suit. “Hot chocolate crisis averted.But uh, Caterina's asking for both of you. Something about a mother-son dance addition to the reception?”

Eden's influence, no doubt. Two months ago, she'd started leaving wedding magazines around the boutique, pages folded down to articles about blended family traditions. As if I needed any more reasons to love her.

“Better not keep the bride waiting,” Dad says, reaching for his tux jacket. “You remember what happened at the menu tasting.”

I laugh, following him out. The menu tasting had turned into an impromptu family dinner, with Eden and Caterina tag-teaming their way through every possible combination of appetizers while Dad and I exchanged bemused looks over our wine glasses. That night, watching Eden gesture enthusiastically about proper hors d'oeuvre-to-champagne ratios, I knew she'd make Dad and Caterina's day perfect. And she has. From the flowers to the timing, she hasn't missed a detail.

The church's side room is organized chaos. Caterina's already in her dress – ivory silk that Eden designed, with delicate beading that catches the light. Her eyes light up when she sees us.

“There are my favorite men!” She waves us over, careful not to disturb the pearl-dotted pins in her hair. “Robert, darling, we need to practice our first dance one more time. And Jack, Eden needs you in the reception hall. Something about the hot chocolate garnishes?”

“I've got it covered.” I kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful, Caterina.”

Her eyes well up. “Oh, don't. My makeup's already been done twice.”

“Mom!” Eden's voice carries from the hallway. “The florist is here with the bouquets, and – Jack?” She appears in the doorway, half-dressed in her bridesmaid's gown, hair still in those ridiculous rollers. “Why aren't you checking the hot chocolate station?”

“Because your mother just told me you needed help with garnishes.”

“What? No, I—” She stops, narrowing her eyes at Caterina. “Mom, are you trying to orchestrate moments again?”

Caterina looks utterly unrepentant. “I just think it's nice when people have special moments to remember on wedding days.”

“It's your wedding day,” Eden points out.

“And I want to share it.” Caterina reaches for both our hands. “My wonderful daughter, who came home to stop my wedding and ended up finding her own happiness. And Jack, who's become the son I never had. Now go, both of you. Sort out whatever needs sorting with that hot chocolate station. But Jack?” Her eyes twinkle. “Check your inside pocket first. Robert left something there for you both.”

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