Page 4 of The Mountain Man's Curvy Bride

I snort softly, glancing at the woman beside him. "Who's this?"

"Everly," she introduces herself warmly, smiling at Daisy. "Liam's girlfriend."

Daisy beams back, stepping forward eagerly. "I'm Daisy."

The two women immediately strike up a conversation, their chatter filling the quiet courthouse hallway as if they'd known each other forever. Liam nudges me, eyebrows raised.

"You sure about this, Wes? Marriage is a big deal."

"I'm sure," I say firmly, watching Daisy laugh at something Everly says, her face bright and carefree. "She's...different."

"I can see that," Liam agrees softly, his eyes thoughtful. "You deserve someone good, Wes. Don't mess this up."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I mutter sarcastically, though his words linger.

Soon, the four of us stand before a bored-looking justice of the peace. The ceremony is short and practical, but as I take Daisy's hands in mine, repeating vows I barely hear, I realize how badly I want this to work. How desperately I want her to stay.

"You may kiss the bride," the justice says with a perfunctory tone.

My heart thunders as I lean in, brushing a gentle kiss across Daisy's soft lips. It's brief, chaste, but enough to spark something deep inside me. When I pull back, Daisy's eyes shine with emotion, and I wonder if she feels it too.

After the ceremony, Liam and Everly invite us for a celebratory lunch at the local diner. Daisy happily accepts, already chatting enthusiastically with Everly as we head to our trucks. Watching her easy laughter and joy, something shifts within me.

Maybe this marriage isn't just a formality. Maybe it's the beginning of something more—something real. And as I climb behind the wheel, glancing over at Daisy, I decide to let myself hope.

I'm in over my head, and for once, I don't mind.

4

Daisy

The diner is exactly the kind of place you'd expect in a quaint mountain town—cozy, filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon, and decorated with quirky vintage signs. Everly and I slide into the booth first, instantly resuming our lively conversation, while Wes and Liam sit across from us, exchanging quieter, more subdued small talk.

"So, Everly, how did you and Liam meet?" I ask, genuinely curious as I settle comfortably into the red vinyl seat.

Everly's face lights up, her cheeks flushing slightly as she leans in closer, excitement bubbling in her voice. "Oh, it's quite the story," she says, glancing affectionately at Liam, whose ears turn a faint shade of pink beneath her gaze. "It was one of those freak summer storms—you know, the kind that comes out of nowhere. My car blew a tire right near Liam's mountain, and before I knew it, I was stranded with roads flooding all around me."

"No way!" I gasp, completely enthralled. "That sounds like something out of a romance novel."

"It really was!" Everly laughs, her eyes sparkling. "Liam found me soaked to the bone, standing by my car looking totally helpless, and he insisted I wait out the storm in his cabin. I argued at first, but he wouldn't take no for an answer."

Liam chuckles softly from across the table, shaking his head. "You weren't that hard to convince."

Everly grins playfully, nudging him with her foot beneath the table. "True. You were pretty persuasive."

Their easy affection makes my heart ache slightly. I can't help but steal a glance at Wes, who sits quietly beside Liam, his dark eyes observing our conversation with guarded interest. His presence is solid and reassuring, yet distant in a way I can't quite pinpoint. Watching Everly and Liam, their fingers interlaced atop the table, laughter in their eyes, I feel a pang of longing. I've never had someone look at me like that.

Steven certainly never did. My ex-boyfriend was the opposite of affectionate—always distant, always critical. He had a way of making me feel smaller than I was, a shadow rather than a person. Breaking free from him had been one of the hardest yet best decisions I'd ever made. The moment I saw Wes's online ad for a bride, I'd felt a surge of hope, a chance for a fresh start in a place where nobody knew me or my history.

"So, Daisy," Everly says cheerfully, pulling me back to the present, "what made you decide to marry this big grump over here?"

She nods playfully toward Wes, whose expression immediately darkens into an embarrassed scowl. I can't help but giggle, finding his discomfort oddly endearing.

"Well, honestly," I begin, fiddling with the edge of my napkin, "I needed a change, and Wes's ad caught my eye. The idea of a peaceful life in the mountains sounded... perfect."

Everly nods knowingly, her smile gentle. "I get it. Sometimes the best choices we make are the ones that seem the craziest."

Liam smirks at Wes, nudging him with his elbow. "Did you hear that? You're someone's best crazy decision."

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