by Ciara Knight
“I know, but I don’t know. You know?”
“What?”
“Exactly.”
Rex quirked an eyebrow as David failed to adopt a clueless expression. The two laughed as they walked side by side looking out over the city as they made their way up the ridge. Rex loved it when he’d walk to the top with Ally by his side dreaming of their life together. He only hoped he’d made a grand enough gesture to convince her he wasn’t ever going to leave her again. “If I can make a fool out of myself for the woman I love, you can at least talk to the one you love.”
“It’s complicated.” David walked faster avoiding the conversation, but Rex wasn’t having it.
“Fall back and face your fear,” Rex said in a commanding tone.
“Zip it, I outrank you.” David hustled to the top, leaving Rex to carry the heavy cooler and his fear with him. All day he’d gone over the scenario in his head. Anxiety gurgled to the surface with a twisting low in his gut that made his head spin so fast he thought he should qualify for a section 8. By the time he reached the top, he’d nearly talked himself out of the crazy scheme, but when he stood in the spot he had promised to marry her someday, he knew he had to keep his word. To marry her and to love her for the rest of their days.
“You here finally? Not much time.” Spike stood with his arms crossed over his chest, David at his side.
“Nope and still lots to do.” Rex shook Spike’s hand. “Thanks for doing this man.”
Spike took the cooler and set it near the white blanket. “I owed you.”
Rex took his cell phone out of his pocket, guess it’s time.
Spike chuckled. “Good luck, man.”
David helped Spike with securing the tent flaps while Rex dialed the number for Ally’s parents. If they did make it back, they needed to be here.
“Hello?” Christina Roberts answered.
“Mrs. Roberts?”
“Yes.”
“This is Rex Snyder.”
No response.
“I think you and Mr. Roberts will want to be at the top of the ridge by 1:30PM. If not, you might miss the most important day of your daughter’s life.” He took a long breath. “But please, don’t tell her. It’s a surprise.”
No response.
“Mrs. Roberts?”
“Do you think she’ll want me there?”
Rex laughed. “Ma’am, I don’t even know if she wants me here, but I have to try. Bekah and Bri should be at your house soon. We tried to reach Mike, but she’s not answering. I know she’s going through a lot right now, but I’m sorry she won’t be here.” Rex took a deep breath. “I hope you will, though.”
“I’ll be there.”
“And the dress?”
“I’ll bring it.” Mrs. Roberts said, her voice cracking. “And Rex, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
The phone went dead and he nodded to David. “Let’s get the tent set up.”
David and Spike finished with the tent. “You think Mel can get her up here?”
“You know Mel, right?”
“Ah, right. She can handle it.”
Rex rearranged the flowers Spike had put out on the rocks. “Can you handle being here with her? If not, you’ve done your share, you don’t have to stay. I don’t want you to have to face her if you’re not ready.”
“And miss you making a fool of yourself. No chance.” David gave him a brotherly slug in the upper arm.
“Then that’s it. Now we just wait.” He eyed the cooler with the Champagne and glasses and cake inside. The white blanket laid out for them to stand on. His stomach flipped, flopped, and fluttered for the next half an hour as he paced the ridge. And as the time grew closer he felt like he’d been captured by the enemy and awaiting a firing squad. If she said yes, he’d live. No. And he’d fall to the mercy of the enemy.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ally groaned. “Why are you making me climb the ridge?”
Mel pushed her in the back from behind. “Because it’s time for you to face your past so you can move on with your future.”
“You took too many psych classes in college.” Ally shuffled up the hill. The dust caking on her not-for-hiking shoes. “You’ve ruined my sandals you know.”
“I’ll buy you knew ones. Just keep moving.” Mel joined her at her side.
The distance between them and the city below grew, the way she felt it growing between her and Rex. She’d made the right decision. Too many years wasted on a relationship that would never make it past a childhood promise.
“Are you going to speak to David?”
Mel sighed. “Already did.”
“I don’t mean two seconds outside the front door at night. I’m talking about coffee and conversation. Tell him how sorry you are, and confess that he is the only man that was ever for you.”
“Dramatic again?” Mel nudged into her side, obviously trying to change the subject.
“Nice try. If I’m up here to face some proverbial ex-boyfriend promise, you can face your feelings for your ex.”
“Oh, I think we are both about to face something.”
Ally stopped in her tracks. Mr. Suspicious poked out from behind a rock. His orange skin turning a deep crimson. “Spill it. What’s going on?”
“What makes you think anything’s going on?” Mel’s voice cracked in that I’m-lying way.
“Because you studied psych not acting.”
Mel didn’t answer, she only walked ahead and Ally fought to choose between curiosity and the warning light buzzing in her head.
“You’re not going to make me do some sort of yelling off the side of the ridge to release my feelings, or some sort of dance around a campfire to free myself of ex-boyfriend bad mojo, are you?”
Mel turned and walked backwards up the path. “I do yoga, not metaphysical stuff. Now stop stalling.”
She sprinted up the rest of the ridge, around the sharp turn left that led to the open area where they used to lay on the ground and watch the stars, to the rock that Rex had sat on when he gave her the promise ring. For a second, she stopped and swallowed the dust, dirt, and memories of the ridge. Then she pushed back her shoulders, lifted her chin, and marched around the massive rock outcropping ready to let go of her feelings once and for all.
On the other side, she saw a small tent, her parents, and her entire family, cousins and all. David, Rex, Bri, her new husband, Anthony, Sam and his fiancé, Lina, Jack and his fiancé, Erin, Bekah, Spike, and Amy all dressed in their finest stood by a white blanket and rocks with flowers, and her preacher. She stumbled back, Rex ran to her, but she clutched the rocks and righted herself.
Numb. That’s what she felt. Confused, unable to process the scene. “I…I don’t understand.”
Rex sauntered closer, dressed in a suit, looking like a movie star, but better. “I only ask that you hear me out before you push me off the ridge, or run away again.
Ally glanced to her mother, who stood with an apprehensive look on her face, her father behind her.
Rex stopped an arm-length from her. “Ally, I know we love each other. I have no doubt, or I wouldn’t be here right now, throwing myself at your feet. This time, I can’t blame anyone else for my failures. I was too busy trying to hold onto the man I became, avoiding the boy of the drunk, that I didn’t embrace the real me. The real us.” He half-stepped closer.
The air on the ridge felt abnormally thin. She struggled to breathe, to focus on his words.
“We were good together once, but that isn’t enough. If it is possible, I find you more beautiful, more accomplished, more talented, more crazy.” He smiled and half-stepped again. “I want to help you battle your monsters, to make all your dreams come true. To love you.”
One more half-step and he’d closed the distance between them. She backed up, but the rock wall blocked her retreat.
Another half-step and he touched her cheek with his thumb, sending a wild pulse galloping so loud she thought she’d never hear
again.
“I should have told you about the re-enlistment option, but honestly I forgot.”
“Forgot? That you would leave for another four years without a word?” Ally said, fighting to keep her tears and anger under control in front of everyone. Darn him for doing this in front of so many people.
“No, I forgot the minute I saw you because it was no longer an option for me. The second I walked into your antique store, even though it took me time to admit it, all I wanted was you. You and me for the rest of our lives.” Rex lowered to one knee. “I had Mel retrieve this for me. I’ll buy you a real one that you can help pick out later.” He took her hand.
She trembled. Her hands trembled, her knees trembled, her soul trembled. “You have and always will be the love of my life. I want to come home to you. Live the rest of our days together in the Kelley house. Mel shared your dream board, and that’s all I want to live the rest of my days doing, making your dreams come true. The store will be downstairs and we can live upstairs. And if you’re okay with it, my father needs a place to stay. Not that he’ll agree, but I have to try. Even if he wasn’t there for me when I was a kid, I’m tired of holding on to the past and he’s not going to be with us much longer.”
She gasped, unable to process all his words. He held tight to her hand, as if worried she’d run before he could finish, but she couldn’t run. Her legs wouldn’t move. She stood frozen.
“You have a dress waiting in the tent to change, your cousins and sister and brother helped make all this happen. Bri brought makeup and Mel will help with your hair, Spike brought the flowers and everything else up here, and we have the preacher. I don’t want to make a promise today. I want to marry you here and now. To have a Rocky Mountain promise that’ll last as long as this ridge has been here. For as long as the sun has shined over this land. For as long as you’ll have me. Ally Roberts, will you marry me, today, now?”
Ally looked down at the man who once made anything and everything seem possible. A man that she’d spent the last eight years longing to return. A man who finally kept his promise to love her forever. In that moment, she didn’t have to think, she knew. “Yes. It’s always been yes. You only had to ask.”
Gasps. Cries. Cheers sounded around her, but she couldn’t focus. All her attention was on the man she loved, down on one knee, sliding their old promise ring onto her finger. The green stone surrounded by antiqued gold. He’d shopped several towns to find that ring, an old fashioned, antique piece of jewelry. “One thing. I don’t want another ring. This one’s perfect.”
He stood and squeezed her hands. “Go, get ready. I can’t wait another minute to have you as my wife.”
Her knees threatened to buckle under her, but he was there, helping her, guiding her, the way he always had and always would in life. She knew she could trust him, even if things weren’t always perfect. He was perfect for her.
Mel took her by the hand. Her mother held open the tent flap, and inside Ally saw her mother’s dress. At that moment, she couldn’t hold onto the hatred and resentment. Not today. They entered the tent and her mother lifted the dress. “I’m—”
“We’ll talk. I have a lot to say to you, but not now. Right now, I only want to think about the future and stop holding on to the past.”
She dressed and in record time her hair and make-up were done.
“You look beautiful.”
The dress was simple, elegant, and antique. Not bright white, but a cream with a fitted bodice, little pearls along the neckline, and the skirt flowed to her mid-calf. “Shoes?”
Her mother gasped. “Oh no. I was in such a hurry.”
Ally only smiled at her mother, nothing could ruin today. “Doesn’t matter. Nothing about Rex and I have been traditional. Why start now?” She walked out of the tent in bare feet and joined Rex, standing next to the preacher in front of a make-shift rock alter.
His eyes scanned her with an approving gaze, until he reached her feet and laughed. “Looks about right for us.”
Ally took his hands. “I thought so.”
The preacher cleared his throat and opened his Bible. They all stood on the top of the ridge, the sun falling lower into the sky. Her family and friends surrounded them. Preacher John spoke the words of commitment and honor and respect while Rex clung to her. Her mother, Bri, and Mel wept. Her father sniffled. Her monsters stood on the edge of the ridge, and she mentally shoved them off. It was time to let go of her crazy, and embrace the man she loved.
David handed the rings to Rex, but his eyes were planted on Mel. Ally couldn’t focus on them now, but later. Later she’d focus all her attention on her best friend and what she wanted.
“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward?” The dryness in Ally’s throat had crept up to her mouth, so she wet her lips and then said, “yes.”
Rex sighed with obvious relief, before he took his own vows.
The setting, the people, the life she was about to live was perfect.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Rex pulled her into him and claimed her lips. Her toes tingled, her breath caught, the world spun with all the passion they’d held back for so long. The clapping faded, and she fell into all that was Rex Snyder. The man she had always loved.
When they finally broke apart, she thought she’d faint. They stood and watched the sun lower behind the mountains while sipping Champaign. When they’d had their fill and congratulations were spoken, Rex swooped her into his arms and carried her down the side of the mountain. The way she knew he’d always be there at her side, loving her for the rest of their days.
The End
I hope you enjoyed Rocky Mountain Promise. Keep reading for the first chapter of the next book in the series, Rocky Mountain Nights.
If you enjoy the Roberts of Silver Springs series, we’d love for you to join the Silver Springs Society, a Facebook group for fans to discuss the books, chat with the authors, enter exclusive contests, and other fun stuff!
The Roberts of Silver Springs
Rocky Mountain Mornings – Avialable Now
Rocky Mountain Hero – Available Now
Rocky Mountain Heart – March 17
Rocky Mountain Bride – March 24
Rocky Mountain Promise – March 31
Rocky Mountain Nights – April 7
Rocky Mountain Home – April 21
Rocky Mountain Soul – April 28
Rocky Mountain Baby – May 5
Rocky Mountain Faith – May 12
Rocky Mountain Nights
A sneak peek of the next book in the Roberts of Silver Springs series.
Chapter One
Hunter Sloane turned into a parking lot, following the instructions of his car’s GPS. The sign hanging above the front door read, “B&B’s B&B.” Who on earth would name a B&B that? He shrugged and got out of his car, snagging his suitcase and hanging his laptop bag on top of it.
When he got inside, he heard a chime, and stood there for a moment looking around. The house was charming and had obviously been renovated recently. He was in an entryway, and it was only a moment before a woman came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron. “You must be Hunter Sloane. I’m Bri Black.”
He nodded to her. “How did you know I’m Hunter Sloane?” He had a few books out, and they’d all hit the NYT Bestseller’s List, but his face wasn’t really noticed wherever he went. Thankfully few authors were recognized by strangers. No one really studied an author’s picture on the dust jackets of books.
“You’re the only person we’re expecting today. The other rooms are guests that are staying over still.”
“I see.”
“You paid over the phone with your credit card, so let me just show you to your room. You requested to be as far away from the noise of the B&B as possible, so we put you on the second floor, last door on the right.” She pulled a key from her pocket. “Room’s all ready for
you. Do you want me to take your things up? Or would you prefer to find it on your own?”
Hunter smiled. “You read people well, don’t you Miss Black?”
She held up a hand with a wedding ring. “Mrs. Black, but please, call me Bri. We’re not formal around here.”
“I’ll find my own way up. I haven’t had lunch yet. Is there a place nearby?”
“Lots of places if you want go further into town. I could make you a box lunch, or you could go to the hotel, which is straight across the parking lot. They have a restaurant there. We only serve breakfast here, although for a little extra we’ll do box lunches, but usually those are just for the adventurers.”
“Adventurers?”
“Our town is known for its outdoor adventures. We have skiers, hikers, snowmobilers, four-wheelers…just about any outdoor mountain sport can be done here. If you’re into extreme sports, my cousin has a business taking people rock-climbing and doing whatever other adventures you find yourself needing.” She walked to a table and picked up a piece of paper from a stack. “Here’s their flier. Rocky Mountain Adventures is the name of the business.”
“I’m really just here to lock myself away and finish the book I’m working on. I was having trouble focusing in Denver, and I was looking for places I could drive to that would be quieter.” Hunter shrugged. “Hopefully I won’t leave the room much, except for meals.”
“Well, don’t totally lock yourself away. You might enjoy writing in our gazebo. You can enjoy the mountain air, and there’s even a place to plug your laptop in.” Bri shook her head with a smile. “Let me know if you decide to take me up on one of the boxed lunches. I’ll let you get to your room and settle in. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything at all.”
Hunter watched her go before heading toward the stairs. He thought he’d probably take her up on the boxed lunch, at least for today. The reviews he’d seen on this place were all talking about the incredible breakfasts provided, and even said the boxed lunches were fabulous. Maybe when he got sick of the four walls of his room he’d head out to the gazebo and work there. The idea of spending time in the mountain air was nice. There was mountain air in Denver too of course, but it was smoggy. He wanted fresh.