Page 51 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
“Thanks.” Emma grinned. “I feel like maybe I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with such a big wedding.”
“You’ve got me to help you.” Lizzy patted her arm.
“And me.” Rose smiled.
Dahlia only hesitated for a second. “And me.”
All three of them turned to face her, but Rose’s huge smile had Dahlia smiling back at her. “I’m really good with organizing stuff, you know.”
Rose nodded, turning to Lizzy and Emma with excitement. “She’s the best at planning.”
“Well, then…” Emma and Lizzy exchanged a quick look, but then they were both wearing genuine smiles when they turned to her. “Welcome aboard the wedding crew.”
Lizzy leaned over and adopted a stage whisper. “You might regret it.”
A surprise laugh slipped out of Dahlia.
But then Rose’s hand covered hers, giving it a little squeeze.
Dahlia might regret the offer… but she doubted it.
16
There was nothing better on a Sunday morning than a gorgeous sunrise and a walk in the wild. It was the best way to spend a little time appreciating the true blessing of all God had given him. He’d walk and pray, meandering through forests and fields, refueling his soul for the week ahead.
JJ stopped at the creek. He’d normally hike much farther, but the snow was thick after the last storm, and it was tough going.
He paused where he was, breathing in the crisp air and pulling a water bottle from his backpack.
Sunday mornings were normally a time for him to get the silence and peace he craved. He loved the ranch, but between living with Cody and having coworkers around him throughout the day, he still valued his alone time.
These walks in nature were a big part of that. His little cabin in the woods was where he went when he had more than a morning to himself.
He turned in place to take in the view and felt a smile forming at the memory of Dahlia’s reaction to this sight the day before.
The sun had risen high already—he ought to start heading back soon so he could be in town for the kids’ art expo down at the school. The twins had taken part, and he’d promised Chloe and Corbin he’d be by to check it out.
But he had a few minutes, at least, to bask in the sunshine and revel in the view. Nearly everyone else was at church right now.
Was Dahlia there?
He ran a hand over his chest, as if he could actually touch the pang he felt whenever he’d thought about her this morning.
Was this what it meant to miss someone?
He shook his head with a huff that startled some birds in the nearby shrubbery.
He couldn’tmissDahlia. He’d just seen her the night before. And he’d no doubt see her again tonight, before she left for New York tomorrow.
JJ winced at the thought. There really was no use denying it. He missed her even though she was still in town.
That did not bode well for how he’d feel after she got on that plane.
He took a deep breath and let it out in a cloud of steam.
That was why it was for the best that she was leaving. Better she go now before whatever he was starting to feel developed into something even harder to get over.
With one more deep, fortifying breath, he turned back the way he’d come. He’d need to take a shower and eat some breakfast before heading into town. And then, of course, there was his obligatory Sunday call.
