Page 13 of Mountain Man Protector

Even if it was October. In north Idaho.

She wanted to get married before the baby was born, and that’s all that mattered.

Her friends Mika, Zoe and Lauren, and Dylan stood up for her. The latter two becoming thick as thieves with Addy as they worked together to find homes for Beatrix kittens.

I had West, Lars, another close Ranger buddy, Kane, who flew in for the ceremony, and who we were trying to convince to stay and become a part of the Triple R family and, of course, the real grump of the group, Sebastian. Baz’ tomcat had knocked up Beatrix, and he owed me. He also had skills with a blowtorch we wanted to add to the lodge’s offerings once we ironed out a few details on how to safely add metal working to our lineup.

The ceremony went off without a hitch right before the sun had sunk behind the clouds heavy with snow. Small flakes fell as we kissed and the guests, who included my younger influencer sister who’d been mysteriously subdued since she arrived. But I needn’t worry too much as she turned it around and smile during the photos.

When everyone left, I’d find out what or who was bothering her. She’d finally found something she enjoyed and had been happier than I’d ever seen her. Until today.

We kept things simple with a reception inside, and Lauren’s mom catering. As she and Dylan put the final touches on the buffet table, I couldn’t help but notice Lars looking at her from where he stood next to the fireplace. Dylan, not her mother.

Addy was chatting away with friends, glowing and gorgeous in her blush colored wedding gown. Her baby bump lovingly accented with a satin bow that sat just above her expanding belly.

Since she was occupied for the moment, I made my way over to the giant we all lived to torment. He’d been keeping his distance from the lodge for far too long now, always grumbling about one thing or another as we raced to finish the addition on the wood shop before winter truly hit.

“Your mom ever tell you that your face will freeze permanently if you keep looking glaring at Dylan like that?” Too happy to care how he’d react, I offered a bit of unsolicited advice. I was, after all, a happily married man of thirty-five minutes and counting. And I was more than happy to share my wisdom about women and relationships.

“So, it’s nice to have Kane back with us, huh?” I had a plan and I couldn’t wait to see it played out.

“Yeah.” One word responses were Lars’ calling card.

“I saw him earlier chatting up Dylan.”

“So?” Lars’ gaze turned from the woman in question to our Hollywood former stuntman, who I’m sure could have been a leading man if he really wanted. He said he didn’t. Just an adrenaline junkie at heart.

“So. I think they were talking about going to a movie. Maybe dinner. Wouldn’t that be something if another one of us found love right here on our mountain?”

Lars’ eyes narrowed to mere slits, and the can of beer he was holding probably would have been destroyed had it not still been mostly full. “Not going to happen.”

Wow, four words this time. He must really be pissed. “Well, maybe not with Baz. Can’t see him ever settling down. But someone’s going to come along and claim Dylan for their very own.”

“Ridge?”

“Yeah?”

“You wouldn’t be winding me up, would you?” Lars’ nostrils flared. Yeah, I’d finally gotten to the big guy.

“Never. Hey, sorry, they’re calling me over to cut the cake. Later.” I made a beeline for Addy, her eyes locked on me as I made my way through family and friends. When I reached her, I kissed her. Couldn’t help myself, she was my wife. And we were having a baby, and damn, life was good.

“Ridge Beauchamp, what did you say to Lar’s just now? He looks as if he could tear a pine tree in half.” My wife’s voice was full of suspicion. Rightly so, but someone had to wake that idiot up or he was going to miss out on what both West and I’d found.

“Not much. Just a friendly reminder that he needs to stop torturing himself and see that there’s someone that’ll accept all his quirks, might even be amenable to a date right here in front of his face, if only he’d pull that damn stick out of his ass.”

Addy didn’t blink an eye. She knew exactly who I was referring to. “Great. Tell me how I can help?”

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