I laughed. His behavior reminded me so much of the way my brother teased Aislinn. Braedon shook his head and leaned toward me. “I can’t tell you how weird it is that you two know each other.”
Tightening my hold on his arm, I replied, “Another feeling I completely understand.”
I exclaimed when I saw little Kate on the monitor, wearing a beautiful dress and holding a basket. She waved at us and gleefully tossed a fistful of rose petals in the air. I blew her a kiss, and she grinned. Elle and Mal stood behind her, Elle already in tears. I had to look away to keep my own at bay.
From the final monitor, Marc saluted me. Arrayed behind him was a room full of uniformed men and women. His entire section must have been there. I tugged at Braedon’s sleeve and pointed. “My brother.”
As Braedon lifted his hand in greeting, the minister coughed to get our attention. We faced him.
And so I married Braedon for the second time, not in a tree house, but by a fountain. No fruit bat, but we had plenty of company this time.
“No more getting away from me now,” Braedon whispered before he kissed me.
Everyone came forward to congratulate us. Aislinn cried, and I could hear cheers over the speakers from family and friends far away.
Jack embraced Braedon. “You’ve got a good one.”
My father-in-law then hugged me. I whispered, “Your wedding should be the next one on the schedule.” He gave me a sharp look, but I pretended not to see and turned to Lua and Etano. “You two look wonderful in tuxedos!”
“And you clean up real pretty,” Lua teased.
I pointed at them. “We have things to talk about, but it’ll wait until tomorrow.” The boys looked concerned, and I knew I had to handle this right or risk offending them.
It was late, so Olivia’s team had scheduled the reception for the next day. She had waited to congratulate us last. “I heard what you said to Etano and Lua, Lyn.” She handed me an envelope.
Braedon stretched and feigned a yawn. “We’ll see you all in the morning.” He took my hand and led me back up the stairs to our room.
CHAPTER 36
AFTER A very late and active night, we slept in. When I first woke up, I didn’t remember where I was. The feel of my husband’s arm over my waist and his body pressed against my back brought it all back. I began to cry.
Braedon rolled me over to face him. “It can’t be a good sign when a bride wakes up after her wedding night and cries. What’s wrong?”
He wasn’t a dream; he had really come back to me. Throwing my arms around his neck, I kissed him. My response distracted us for a while.
Later, as we snuggled together, he asked again, “Why were you crying?”
I cuddled my head into the curve of his shoulder. “Because I’m happy.”
“A happy cry, then?”
I ran my hand over his shoulder and down his bicep, relishing the feel of his warm skin against mine. So much better than my dreams. “I am pregnant, you know. I’m allowed to cry.” I sighed and admitted, “I expected to be back in my bed in Montana ... alone.”
He kissed my forehead. “No more of that.” Braedon chuckled. “You took the perfect approach with my father, you know. He’s got a big heart, but he has no patience with weak people. If you’d let him, he’d have run all over you.” He played with a strand of my hair.
“What happens now, Braedon?” I whispered.
He ran the strand of hair over my face, giving me shivers. “Do you want to live in Colorado?”
“No, there’s nothing for me there anymore.” I ran my finger along the line of his eyebrow, the curve of his cheekbone, and finally the circle of his lips. “I’d like our baby to be born in Montana.”
He leaned forward and kissed me. “I’d like that too.” He rolled over to his back and pulled me close. “For the first time in my life, I’m having a hard time getting my mind around something.”
“What?”
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been either in school or working. Then those years on the island followed by months thinking you were dead. Now you’re here, alive, and ...” He swallowed. “I don’t want to go back to work right away.”
I snorted and covered my mouth at the noise. “Well, it’s not like you have to.”
Braedon shook his head. “I know it’s not a money issue, but it doesn’t feel right not to be planning to go to work.”
I searched his face. “Do you have anything in mind?”
He stared at the ceiling for a moment before turning to me. “You know, I think I want to be a rancher for a little while.”
“I’d love for you to be a rancher for a while. I’m not ready to leave my new family.” I leaned over and kissed him. It was time to get distracted again.
LATER, WE showered, dressed, and went in search of food. The sun shone near its peak when we came down the stairs. Everyone, including the Scouts and their families, sat by the pool or was eating from a spread in the dining room.
Olivia hadn’t wasted the morning, having spent the time interviewing each of the Scouts about their experiences. Once she finished, she would have enough material for a two-hour TV special.
Jack, Aislinn, and D’Arcy joined us as soon as we came outside. I sat quietly and ate while Braedon’s family finally had a chance to talk to him about what had happened.
When he left for a minute to refill his plate, Jack reached over and clasped my hand. “Kid, you look happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
“I can’t even put it in words.”
When Braedon returned, I rose from the table and kissed him on the cheek. “You talk with your family. I have some business to take care of.”
He looked at me quizzically, but I shook my head. I would tell him about it once I found out if I would be successful. I found Lua and Etano lounging by the pool.
“Talofa, Lyn!” Lua called when he saw me approaching. He and Etano scooted over to make room on their towels so I could sit with them.
“How’s your arm?” I asked Lua.
In answer, he lifted his wrist and bent his elbow. He grimaced only once. “Almost as good as new. The doctor said it’s taken so long to heal because of our poor nutrition. Plus, I pulled a muscle rowing. Now I’m eating good again, I should do great.”
“Excellent.” I paused, wondering how to bring up my gift.
Etano had been watching me. “What’s wrong?”
I decided to just come right out with it. “I have a gift for the two of you.”
They exchanged uneasy glances and Lua looked around for his father, who stood talking with Olivia. Lua beckoned him to join us. We rose as Moli approached.
Rubbing his chin, Lua announced, “Lyn says she has a gift for us.”
Moli pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing.
I held up my hands. “It’s a gift to help with college.”
Their faces relaxed.
“I didn’t want to do the interview with Olivia, but I agreed to it on one condition—that the fee be paid to Lua’s and Etano’s families.”
“Now, Lyn—” Moli began, alarmed.
I interrupted, “It’s enough for college—anywhere they want to go.” That was not completely true, but I felt sure Braedon would agree to make up any difference.
Frowning, Moli demanded, “How much is it?”
I passed him the check Olivia had given me earlier.
The boys leaned over to examine it and gasped. Moli tried to hand it back to me, but I stepped away and put my hands behind my back.
“I’m here because of you, Moli. Lua and Etano brought Braedon back. Are you going to make me feel obligated to you forever?” I tapped the check in Moli’s hand. “This isn’t enough, but it’s the best I can give.”
His mouth pinched, Moli glanced at the boys and then back at me. “All right.”
I threw my arms around him and then each of the boys. “Thank you! And I mean what I said about any college. If you want to go to the mainland, you can. Braedon went to Harva
rd, and he’s got connections there.”
From their expressions, I knew I had gone too far. “It all depends on what you want to study. It’s up to you.” I hurried away before they could argue and went in search of Braedon.
I didn’t see him and wondered if he had gone back inside for more food. I stopped by Olivia, who sat holding a book and observing everyone.
She waved me over to sit by her, so I took the lounge chair at her side and laid back, enjoying the sun. I wished Braedon would come back. I had been away from him for a whole ten minutes, and I was already getting edgy. When Olivia didn’t say anything, I turned my head toward her and found her watching me.
“What?”
She smiled and looked down at her book. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this.”
“You made it all happen. I swear you’re like my fairy godmother ... well, maybe Braedon qualifies as that since he got the dress.” We laughed. “But seriously, Olivia, you’ve been incredible.”
“Oh, don’t make me out to be too altruistic, Lyn. This was very much a business decision ....” She paused, and I raised my eyebrows at her. “At least in the beginning. But I admit I’ve gotten emotionally involved in your story. You’re a fortunate woman.”
I sighed, nodding. “You know, three months ago I’d have disagreed with you. But now ....” Braedon entered the pool area from the grounds with his father, and I smiled. “Did I tell you that when things were getting too serious too fast between us on the ship I avoided him for four days and then tried to ignore him for another three?”
Her eyes opened wide. “Tell me!”
Embarrassed, I shared all the gruesome details.
Olivia frowned, confused. “The obvious question is why.”
“I couldn’t trust myself to fall in love with a fairy tale.” I tilted my head and watched Braedon. “I mean, look at him.”
She peered at my husband, who now stood talking with Moli. “Well, he’s not exactly my type ....”
I gave her a ‘be serious’ look. “I knew I was falling hard.”
Olivia considered me. “You ought to write this all down.”
I laughed. “Me? Who’d want to read about me?”
She smirked. “Well, don’t tell that to my advertisers, because we’re counting on lots of people being interested in your story.” She patted my hand. “I’m truly happy for you, Lyn. You got your fairy tale after all, didn’t you?”
Braedon, who had been working his way toward me, stepped to my side and touched my hair.
I reached up to take his hand and grinned at Olivia. “Yes, I did, didn’t I?”
DONNA K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. A Navy brat and US Army veteran, she’s lived in many US states as well as South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific four times. When she retired from Shorei Kempo Karate with a black belt, she decided it was time to put her imaginary friends and places on paper. She lives in Utah with her husband. They have six children and eight grandchildren.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FIRST AND foremost, I need to thank my husband, Edward, who helpfully sought comfort from StarCraft2 and MineCraft while I was writing. My beta readers Rachelle (the first person to ever read anything I wrote—and yeah, she’s still talking to me), Carole, Mellie, Kelsey, Bobbie, and Sarah all provided valuable insight that helped to make a better story. My Pied Piper critique partners Robin, Meredith, Donea, and Shanna, plus critiquers Melanie, Laura, Natalie, Heidi, and Jennifer all succeeded in messing with my head and forcing me to view the story differently, and I so appreciated the brainstorming sessions with fellow members of the iWriteNetwork.
I’d like to thank my son David who was so kind to point out that I’d emasculated the love interest; my nurse son-in-law, Spencer, who provided valuable input on many of the medical issues; and my brother David for his help with the geology of the island. I send many thanks to Captain Matt Faria from Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures on Kauai who put up with my sailing questions during a catamaran trip to the Na Pali Coast. I would also like to express my gratitude to KellyAnne Terry, the library director for the Lewistown Library, who took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me and talk ranching.
I appreciate the wonderful input and expertise of Rhemalda editors Kat and Diane for polishing the book, but I owe so much to Emmaline Hoffmeister, Rhemalda vice president. It was her encouragement, support, and enthusiasm for the story that let it see the light of day. Thank you!
Table of Contents
Part 1
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
Part 2
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
Part 3
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
A Change of Plans Page 25