Page 15 of Emergency with the Mountain Man
"Even a brilliant veterinarian who could have anyone?"
"Especially her. Because she's smart enough to see what really matters." Maple squeezes my arm. "Stop doubting yourself and just be happy."
She's right. Looking around at this celebration, at the woman I love surrounded by the community that's embraced her, at the life we're going to build together, I am happy. Completely, overwhelmingly, eternally happy.
Later, after the last guest has gone home and we've cleaned up the remnants of our impromptu engagement party, Norma and I sit on the porch swing I built last summer, wrapped in a blanket and watching the stars emerge over the valley.
"So," she says softly, "when do you want to get married?"
"Tomorrow?"
She laughs. "I was thinking maybe we could wait long enough to plan a proper wedding. Let Maple and Juniper have their fun organizing it."
"As long as I get to call you my wife, I don't care what kind of wedding we have."
"Good. Because I'm thinking small and simple. Just us, our friends, and these mountains as our witnesses."
"Perfect."
We sit in comfortable silence for a while, both processing the magnitude of what's happened today. In the space of a few hours, we've gone from taking it slow to planning a wedding. It should feel rushed, crazy, too fast.
Instead, it feels exactly right.
"Jake?" Norma says eventually.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For showing me that love doesn't have to hurt. That trust doesn't have to be earned through pain. That I can be myself—completely, authentically myself—and still be cherished."
I tighten my arms around her, overwhelmed by the trust she's placing in me. "Thank you for taking a chance on a logger who fell for you at first sight."
"Best decision I ever made."
"Second best," I correct.
"What was the first?"
"Moving to Silver Ridge. Because it brought me to you."
She tilts her head up to kiss me, soft and sweet and full of promise. "I love you, Jake."
"I love you too, soon-to-be Mrs. Webster. Forever and always."
As we head inside to begin our life together, I send up a silent thank you to whatever force brought an injured bear cub into my path three weeks ago. Some encounters change everything, and some love stories are written in the stars.
Ours definitely is.
Norma
Six Months Later...
Thescentofpineand wildflowers fills the air as I walk down the aisle created by our friends and neighbors in the meadow behind our cabin. Maple, serving as my maid of honor, adjusts my simple white dress one last time before nodding with satisfaction.
"You look beautiful," she whispers. "Jake's going to lose his mind when he sees you."
