Page 27 of December's Ride with Scar

“Let's head to the courthouse and get married right now,” she says.

“I'm down, if you’re sure?” I ask.

“Never been surer of anything in my life,” she laughs joyfully.

“Everyone out! Orville, we have a wedding to put together!” Ruby says.

Then she closes the Merc and drags her husband to the courthouse with us.

When we enter the courthouse, Ruby rips Evelyn away from me and Orville takes me to the room where the ceremony will be performed. I've never been more thankful that we had the forethought to fill out the paperwork ahead of time. That way we could make sure that we wouldn't have any issues meeting the contract deadline. Because now that means everything is ready to go and all we have to do is say “I do.”

While I know it can't be more than twenty minutes that Evelyn is in the back room with Ruby, it feels like a lifetime. Orville laughs at my pacing the front of the room.

“When Ruby and I got married, I didn't see her the whole day of the wedding. She wanted to say I do at sunset, and I waspulling my hair out by the time she walked down the aisle. I was ready to march her back up the aisle and say screw the reception. It was all worth it though,” Orvile says with a chuckle.

I have no doubt that it will all be worth it. But after last night, I just don't like not having Evelyn at my side. I have to keep reminding myself she chose me, and she chose Mustang Mountain.

When Evelyn finally walks through the doors, my jaw nearly hits the ground. Her hair is done up and there are small white flowers braided into it. She has on an ankle length white wool jacket buttoned up, so it looks like a dress, and she has a small bouquet of flowers in her hand. She looks just like a bride, even though none of this was planned.

Her face is wreathed in a smile that lights up her face. When her twinkling eyes meet mine, tears burn my eyes. Dammit! I don't care who sees them because my woman is walking down the aisle to marry me today. She will be mine, and I can’t think of a better way to end the year.

The entire ceremony is blurry because I can't take my eyes away from her as we stare at each other and repeat the words Orville tells us to. Thank God, Ruby thought to record the whole thing on her phone for us. Because that moment when I get to kiss mywifeis the most magical moment in my life, and I want to share it with everyone.

“Let's go tell the guys,” I whisper against her lips when we finally need to pull apart for air.

She nods, and with that beautiful smile gracing her face, we thank Ruby and Orville. Then, joyfully, we walk down the road to the train station to tell the guys the news.

It’s quiet when we walk in, but everyone turns to greet us, shouting hello. Ford and Luna are also there and give us big smiles.

“I have an announcement,” I say over all the chatter, and everyone stops to look at me.

“I'd like to introduce my new wife, Evelyn, as of a few minutes ago,” I say.

Evelyn holds up her left hand, showing off the ring, and everyone cheers and starts talking at once.

The women rush over and hug Evelyn and to get all the details. While the men walk up and shake my hand and congratulate me. Everyone is laughing and smiling when Atlas walks in and everyone quiets down.

“Sorry to dampen the mood, but we have a problem,” Atlas says, holding up a Christmas card in his hand.

Thunder walks over and takes it from him, reading it out loud.

“Thanks for taking care of Savage Bones for us and enjoy your last Christmas in Mustang Mountain,” Thunder reads.

A chill races down my spine.

The room is quiet, and Evelyn presses herself to my side.

“Who is it from?” I ask.

“The developer that just bought the Hot Springs,” Atlas answers, and my heart sinks.

I turn to Evelyn. Her eyes are wide and questioning and it’s obvious her mind is spinning and she’s alarmed.

“You didn't sign up for this…” I start.

She places a finger over my lips.“I signed up for a life withyou. We will fight thistogether.”

Everyone around us agrees. All the couples nod and Atlas takes a deep breath.

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