Page 13 of One Night with the Mountain Man

“Mmm hmm.” I took a scalding sip of coffee while I waited for him to get to the real reason he’d risked life and limb to drive a dirt bike halfway up a muddy mountain.

He let his feet fall to the deck and leaned forward to rest his forearms on his thighs. “What’s your plan, Samuel?”

“You’re looking at it.” I spread my arms wide. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”

“Do you?” His gaze cut into me like a laser. Tyson knew me better than anyone. He could see right through my bullshit—he always had.

I closed my eyes for a long beat and inhaled the fresh mountain air. Underneath the scent of pines and earth, I caught the slightest whiff of Adelaide. Fuck. Even though she was gone, she’d left too much of herself behind.

“It’s not that easy,” I said.

Tyson shook his head. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?”

“You think you don’t deserve to be here. That it should have been you coming home in a body bag instead of Teller and Swan.”

“You’re damn right it should have been.” I stood, spilling my coffee down the front of my pants in the process. The hot liquid burned my skin, but I welcomed the pain.

Tyson got to his feet and faced me, eye to eye. His jaw tight, brows drawn, he looked every bit the fearless soldier he’d been way back then. “That’s fucking bullshit, and you know it. You think Teller and Swan would have wanted you to live like this? Shutting everyone out? Punishing yourself for something beyond your control?”

My chest squeezed tight, so tight it felt like my heart might be crushed. I’d welcome death, anything to end the paralyzing guilt I’d been living with.

“I was the one in charge that day. It was my fault we—”

“You followed protocol. Did the exact same thing any of us would have done if we’d gone out first. You think you don’t deserve to be here, that you need to spend the rest of your life punishing yourself for something that was way outside your control. You think that’s what they would want? Don’t you think you’d honor their memories more if you chose to do something with the life you’ve been given?”

I slumped back into my chair and stared at the wooden deck boards under my feet.

“I’m getting married tomorrow. I’d love for you to stand up next to me while I say my vows. It’s time for you to start living again, Samuel. Time to start honoring their memories by living for them instead of wasting your fucking life.” He stepped closer and set a hand on my shoulder. “I’m not the only one who’d love to see you there. Mama Mae tried to talk me into tossing her on the back of the bike and bringing her up the mountain with me so she could give you a hug.”

Despite the tightness in my chest, I let out a chuckle. “I can’t imagine it was easy to stop her.”

He squeezed my shoulder. “Adelaide’s waiting for you, too.”

“I can’t.” Tyson still didn’t get it. “Give Mama Mae a kiss from me, will you?”

“And Adelaide?” he asked, his voice losing its warmth.

“Tell her I’m sorry.”

13

ADELAIDE

Jules absolutely glowed as I handed her the bouquet of wildflowers she’d carry down the aisle. Mother Nature had come through and despite the storms of the past few days, there wasn’t a cloud in the early evening sky. A soft breeze kept everyone comfortable, and the wedding coordinator had been able to go with the original plan of an outdoor ceremony.

“You look beautiful,” I said.

“Thank you.” Jules clutched the bouquet with one hand and reached for mine with the other. “I’m just ready to get this over with. I can’t wait to say my vows and start celebrating.”

I squeezed her hand as the wedding coordinator knocked on the door where we’d been getting ready.

“Looks like it’s time, hon.” I made a last-minute adjustment to her veil. “Mom would have loved to see you on your wedding day.”

“Don’t make me cry, Adelaide.” Jules looked up and pressed her fingers to the soft skin under her eyes.

“Sorry, sweetie.” I gave her a loose hug then walked out and took my place in the line of bridesmaids waiting to go down the aisle. All of them were paired with one of the groomsmen. All of them but me.

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