Caleb kissed Meg’s forehead. “She almost took you out there.”
She sighed at his touch. “Hardly.”
“Seriously. I’d be careful. I think the old woman could take you on.”
“I could take you on.”
Caleb groaned. “I’d like to see you try. Let’s go inside and give you a shot.”
“You’re hurt. And your mom is expecting us.”
Caleb tilted her chin up and engulfed her lips with his. It turned her to Jell-o. “Ever heard of a quickie? If you ride me my leg will be fine.”
“Cay, baby. I don’t know if you know what a quickie is.”
“I don’t. Come inside with me. We have lost time to make up for.”
She looked up into his eyes and trembled. He was right. Being without him for three weeks had shaken her to her core. She took his hand in hers and helped him up the stairs.
She felt his breath in her ears as they reached the top step. “I’m going to make you scream for me for eternity.”
She caught a kiss before she responded. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Forever, baby. I’m yours forever.”
“And I yours.”
Their lips didn’t part as they stumbled together into the cabin, locking the door behind them.
Epilogue
Caleb splashed water on his face with his hands and scrubbed with his palms. He groped the counter for the towel. He patted his skin dry once he found it.
He straightened himself and stared at his reflection. A pair of black dress slacks hung off his hips. His white linen dress shirt gaped open a few buttons, revealing strokes of color embedded in his skin. His sighed. He was mated. Why did this unnerve him?
He turned at the sounds of heavy steps on the wood floor. Josiah took a hard look at him as he leaned against the doorframe. He, too, was dressed in black dress slacks and a white dress shirt. However, he was also wearing a black suit coat and a tie
“I just have to put my tie and jacket on,” Caleb informed him.
“Meg said no. She wants you like that.”
“Momma’s going to flip shit.”
“Is this Momma’s wedding? Or Meg’s?”
“Mine. It’s my wedding.”
“So? What do you want to do?”
Caleb stared at him and then laughed. “Please my bride.”
“Good. Then hurry up. She’s already ready to go.”
Caleb cocked a grin at him. “Seriously?”
“Yes. And she’s beautiful. So get a move on, little brother.”
Caleb frowned. “You’ve seen her?”
“Of course. She chose me to be her attendant.”
Caleb busted out laughing. “So you’re saying that you’re her maid of honor?”
Josiah picked up the discarded towel and threw it at his brother. “Hurry up, smartass.”
“All in good time, asshole.”
Josiah chuckled as he walked away. Caleb stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Yeah, he had said that Meg would never be his wife. She was only back with him for three days before he suggested they get married.
All right, he proposed. Romantic candlelight dinner, soft music, down on one knee and everything. It was the last thing he ever dreamed of doing. But with the kiss he got after she said “yes”, he wouldn’t change a thing.
Despite the fact they were already living together as mates, they wanted the ceremony to happen as soon as possible. They applied for a marriage license the next day. They invited Littlefoot’s family as well as Aunt Edith, Aunt Edna, and Sharky. Meg, Momma, and Josiah stole away to buy her dress. Now the maid of honor thing makes sense.
Everything was ready so that they could enjoy a day or two of their honeymoon at the North Cabin before the full moon. Not that Meg was coming back. She wasn’t. But their time spent together would drop dramatically.
“Caleb!” Momma’s shrill voice filled the cabin.
“Coming, Momma.” He took a deep breath and then strode through the cabin to meet his mother on the front step.
“Where’s your tie and suit coat?” she chided.
“He doesn’t need it. I like him just like that.”
Caleb glanced up. Meg was sashaying toward them, a bouquet of white roses and greenery cupped in her hands. He lost his breath at the sight of her. She was dressed in a plain, cream satin gown with thin straps. The hem fell to her ankles. Her long, blonde hair was woven in braids and held up on top of her head. Small wildflowers were tucked into the braids. Her smile was beautiful. How did I get this woman?
“Are you ready?” Meg asked. “Or are you getting cold feet?”
“We’re mated. Where am I going?” Caleb chuckled. “Absolutely I’m ready.”
“Good. The minister Sharky brought with him is waiting. I’m certain they’re cousins. The resemblance is uncanny.”
“Lead the way, love.”
Meg looked at Momma. “Momma, could you give us a second? I need to talk to my husband.”
“I’m not your husband for a few more minutes,” Caleb teased.
“You know what I mean.”
Momma kissed Meg’s cheek. “Of course. See you both in a bit.”
They watched Momma waddle toward the others before Meg slipped closer to him. Her smile grew bigger.
“Maybe I should ask if you’re getting cold feet,” Caleb remarked.
“Not in the slightest. I have a wedding gift for you.”
Caleb scowled. “I thought we decided we weren’t giving each other gifts.”
“Let’s say it’s a gift you gave to me that I’m sharing with you.”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. What gift?”
Meg trailed her fingers up his chest as she lifted herself up on her tiptoes. Her breath was warm in his ear as she whispered to him. The sensation made him hard as a rock. Their honeymoon couldn’t come fast enough.
His heart slammed in his chest as his mind wrapped around her words. He gazed at her. “Really? Are you serious?”
“Deadly. I am completely serious.”
“I…” His words failed him. The shock was too much.
Her laughter was music in his ears as she wove her fingers between his. She tugged him toward the crowd gathering for their wedding. “Come on. Let’s go get married. Daddy.”
He pulled her to him for a kiss. He felt her melt against him. “You are my everything, Meg. My heart, my breath, my soul.”
“And you’re mine.”
“Caleb! Meg!” Momma called. “Save that for the honeymoon!”
They grinned at each other for several moments before they hurried across the camp hand in hand. Caleb had been certain life would be better alone.
He was so glad he was wrong. With Meg in his life forever, his world was complete.
About the Author
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian, and her children, sons Jake and Jon, and daughter Ali. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations. When she’s not writing (which she loves to do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, and is involved in many of her children's activities.
If you enjoyed this book, this author has other works available here:
Author's Web Site
Hartwood Publishing delights in introducing authors and stories that open eyes, encourage thought, and resonate in the hearts of our readers.
e(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Welterweight (Hallow Brothers Book 1) Page 17