Page 103 of These Rough Waters

Rett takes a step back and glances down at me, at the bohemian styled dress I’d chosen for the ceremony. The flowing ivory sleeves fall past my hands and the top of the dress was a wrap around style before it flowed down over my hips and trailed behind me with a subtle split that was hidden by the folds of lace and chiffon.

I’d left my hair down but clipped back the sides with pins borrowed from Ruthie, and carry a bouquet of winter blooms decked out with ivy.

“You look stunning, Maya, you sure you wanna marry the old timer? I have a boat; we could run away.”

I scoff and open my mouth to throw a retort, but Harper comes steaming into the room I was borrowing to get ready in at Ruthie’s lodge. “Uncle Rett!” She beams, throwing her arms around him.

Marriage, I think, turning back to the mirror as Harper catches Rett up on everything that had happened since he went back to the mainland two weeks ago. He’d stayed with us after he was released from the hospital three weeks after we were both admitted and while it hadn’t been long, it was quiet without him.

Torin claimed he was relieved to be rid of his brother, but I saw the truth with the sadness that lingered whenever he was brought up in the conversation.

Rett wouldn’t leave the life.

And while I couldn’t understand it, it didn’t change my opinion on Torin’s youngest brother.

I’d still yet to meet Kolten, though I’d heard plenty about him and wasn’t sure if I wanted to. He sounded terrifying.

Life was…normal.

I was getting married!

I think back at all that had happened, from Trevor arriving and crashing the car, to waking up in the hospital with Torin at my side and my heart still beating.

Rett had found out who it was who cashed in the reward for my location.

Ana.

The red flags were strong with her when she mentioned how I was familiar to her, but I never would have guessed.

Rett had said he would take care of the problem, as he called it, and I did not want to question what that meant.

It was the past. I was leaving it where it belonged.

“It’s time, sweetness,” Ruthie says from the door, “You ready?”

I take a final look in the mirror and nod, “I’m ready.”

Everett walks me down the aisle towards Torin who stands beaming at me in his grey tux at the end. The whole town showed up for the ceremony, some faces I didn’t even recognize were seated amongst the crowd and sayingI doto this man was one of the greatest things I’ll ever do.

He kisses me to the chorus of cheers, the wedding band on my finger cementing my future.

It was us.

And no matter how rough these waters become; I know they’ll never drown us so long as he is by my side.

At the back of the lodge, almost hidden in the throng of the cheering crowd, I see the dark figure. Dressed all in black and shrouded in the shadows of the room, he slips out the door without saying a word, but I didn’t need to speak to him or see his face to know who it was.

Kolten had come to witness this but in his own silent way.

I turn my attention back to my wife, sending a silent thank you to my brother in every way but blood, knowing it’ll be a while till I see him again.

“How do you feel, Mrs. Avery?” I kiss her mouth, “Are you happy, wife?”

She grins up at me, “Kiss me again, and then ask me.” She says.

Growling my approval, I slam my mouth down onto hers, forcing my tongue between her pretty painted lips.

“Hey!” Rett hollers, “There are children present!”

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