by Piper Rayne
The boys walk away and Ethel shuffles back to us.
Allie claps for her. “Now I’m not sure whose sidekick I want to be,” Allie says.
Lou disappears inside the shop. I watch him talk to the guy at the counter, trying to decipher body language.
“What if?” I ask.
“Kingston’s a smart boy. He won’t let anything happen to himself,” Dori says. But she doesn’t know. And she doesn’t sound that confident in her words either. “By the way, does Kingston know that I’m the reason you two are together?”
“You and me,” Allie adds.
A van pulls up in front of the building, and my eyes scour the tinted windows. First the driver gets out, not bothering to acknowledge us. He rounds the back and opens the doors in the rear. Tank walks up and grabs Samantha, walking her away from everyone. I roll my eyes.
Standing, I nibble my lip. Allie’s chomping on her gummy worms and it’s all I can hear. Finally, Kingston comes into view, shaking Tim’s hand near the back of the van. Relief washes through me. I run over and jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist.
“Are you the avalanche people?” I hug him tightly.
“Yeah, but I’m okay. Not even a scratch.”
I’m not sure how much my heart can take of these stunts, but maybe if I would’ve waited at home and not heard the rumors, it would have been better. He would’ve just returned to me safely and I never would’ve been the wiser. I cast kisses all over his face. His forehead, his nose, his cheeks, his lips, his jaw.
“Hey,” he says, drawing back. “I was wrong.”
“What?”
“Being up there and watching that avalanche chasing me down, all I thought about was not returning to you. Not being with you. I don’t need to chase some high that risks my future with you. I want the risks of marrying you, having a family. The adrenaline of getting you to the hospital when you’re nine months pregnant and the sweet reward of our baby being born. Or trying to choose the perfect anniversary gift and waiting while you open it to see if I did good. I want the challenges of raising our kids and the wild ride of parenthood we’ll face together. Because all I could think up there was that what I was really risking was you. And I don’t want to be the guy in a story you tell one day to your kids that you had with some other asshole.”
“What guy?”
He shakes his head. “No one. Nobody. Just know you are always first, and I’ll never put our life together in jeopardy.” He kisses me. “And now I’ll have to hear Austin say I told you so.”
I laugh. “What are you talking about?”
“Just that I love you more than all that shit. So much fucking more.”
His lips press to mine, and he dips me for dramatic flair. Our friends clap behind us.
“Just remember I got the two of you together,” Dori says.
My lips vibrate with laughter against his before he asks, “What is she talking about?”
“She’s old. Let her have the credit.”
He pulls me upright. “I love you.”
“Always and forever.”
Epilogue
Kingston
Eighteen months later…
“I’m not sure I can actually do this again,” Stella says while I zip up her wetsuit. I’m going to be sporting a fucking hard-on while we surf the bore tide in Turnagain Arm. This is year two for us and I’ve been anticipating today for three months.
The bore tide only arrives April to October, and the long, slow-going wave can be ridden for over thirty minutes and as long as a mile if you do it right. Last year we only got ten minutes—which was still fucking awesome—and Stella fell in love. With some help from a friend who is a guide, we’re hoping to catch it early today.
“You totally have this. Come on.” I zip up my wetsuit.
We venture through the throngs of weeds to get closer to the water, our boards snug under our arms. We put our boards in and Stella kneels while I stand. With our paddles in hand, we get out, waiting to hear the rush of the water and the slow waves coming to announce the bore tide’s approach.
I lie back on my board, exhausted from my shift last night. Stella’s doing her family practice residency now, so she’s working regular hours. I’m still all over the board.
“Are you going to miss smoke jumping this year?” she asks.
I knew she would. Stella worries too much that she’s not enough excitement for me to quit doing crazy shit.
“No. I told you, I made my peace. I’ll miss the guys, but it was time to move on.” I’m good with my decision. I’m getting older. Plus, I didn’t quit because of the danger aspect as much as it was being away from Stella all the time. One time it was a whole month. Yeah, sorry, I tap out.
“Okay.”
I run my hands through the water to reach her. “I’m not spending my life away from you. We already wasted enough time apart. So stop worrying.”
She nods and I lean in and kiss her lips.
Now I have to figure out if I want to stay in Anchorage or transfer to the Lake Starlight fire department. And without smoke jumping, I have to find a side gig. Lou offered me an in on his contracting business, but I’m not really interested. Denver asked if I wanted to do some things for him, but I’m not sure yet. Lucky for me I have some savings to help me along while I figure it out.
The rush of the water echoes through the air and Stella looks as if she might throw up.
“Relax, baby. I’ll dive in and save you if need be, but you’re badass, remember that.”
She smiles and I kiss her one more time.
“I’m excited and nervous,” she says. She hasn’t fully warmed up to the feeling of doing something out of her comfort zone, but she’s got an A-plus for trying.
The wave approaches. We paddle and paddle until it takes us and another guy—who’s standing and looking like a pro surfer, his paddle barely used. I laugh because that was me years ago, solo or with some buddies, but now I get to share this with Stella. She’s probably searched out every online tip she could find.
We ride the wave for twenty minutes before we lose it. Afterward I lie on my board, reveling in the fact we did it.
“That was amazing. I totally get that rush,” she says.
“You got the adrenaline horny gene like Tank and Samantha?”
She giggles and that’s my clue.
I nod in the opposite direction. “Let’s get going so we can stop at home before heading to the baby shower.”
We paddle back the way we came.
“I think we should ask Sedona to move in with us,” she says.
“Why?” I whine like a child. We recently bought a house by downtown Lake Starlight, and yes, it’s big enough for Sedona and Palmer, but there’s no running around naked if we do that. Her and Palmer are still in the apartment I used to share with Juno.
“Because she’s your sister and still needs help when she’s traveling.”
Sedona’s traveling more now after getting a job with a travel magazine, following in my mom’s footsteps. Sometimes she takes Palmer, and other times she leaves her with us or Austin or Phoenix.
“Fine. Only because I like that I’m Palmer’s favorite uncle and I want to really cement the spot.”
Stella shakes her head at my competitive nature. “We’ll ask her tonight then. Palmer can have her own room.”
“You’re really okay with this?” I ask her.
“It was my idea. Of course I am.”
We finally reach where my truck is parked and I help her out with her board, then the two of us get to the truck. Unfortunately, the buzz of accomplishing the bore tide has worn off now that we’re discussing my sister and niece moving in with us. But whatever.
We get out of our wetsuits and I stare at Stella in her swimsuit. “Want to make out in the back of my truck? Pretend we’re in high school or something?”
She chuckles. “Sure.” She hops into the back, leaving me to get everything situated.
I hear her turn on the ignition. I’m sure she’s cranking the heat, and sure enough, when I climb into the back seat, it feels like I’m in a damn sauna.
She straddles me, and I take the opportunity to tug down the straps of her swimsuit, exposing her tits. “I love these.”
I cover her tit with my mouth, and she rocks against my hard-on. We make out like teenagers—except we’re adults so we actually fuck in the back seat. It’s a little irresponsible since we have to use fast food napkins to clean up, but it’s all worth it.
Back at our house, we have plenty of time to get ready, so Stella and I take a little longer, relishing the quiet. As she gets her purse, I stuff the ring into my pocket. I’m not worried that she’ll say no. She could, but I doubt it.
“Ready?” I ask.
“I love baby showers.”
We walk out of the house, but rather than heading in the direction of the party at Terra and Mare, I lead her the opposite way.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“Just come.” I guide her to the dock.
She snuggles closer to me, probably remembering our moments here the same way I did. “You’re being romantic.”
We walk to the edge of the dock, but we don’t sit because we’re in nice clothes and spring has just arrived with the nicer weather.
“I thought I loved you, but the day you jumped in that lake, I knew for sure you were the one for me,” I say.
“It was a moment of temporary insanity. Though maybe I should do it again sometime now that I can enjoy you warming my body up.” She steps closer, but I fall down to my knee.
She smiles, tilting her head, and I hold up the ring. “Stella Harrison, you are the love of my life. You stole my heart at ten and have held it ever since. Make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”
“King,” she says, her hands covering her face. “Yes.”
I slide the ring onto her finger, and she holds it up in the air.
“It’s beautiful.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me.
“You must be crazy to say yes,” I say.
She giggles. “I knew you were a keeper when you shared your textbook with me and asked about my dad. You were always different than the other boys.”
She kisses me again, and my heart feels as if it explodes into fireworks. I can’t believe we’re finally here, full circle, and she’s going to be my wife.
We’re hand in hand when we step into Terra and Mare for the baby shower. Stella asked on the way over if I would mind not announcing our engagement, since it’s not our big day. But all eyes zero in on us when we walk in.
Palmer runs to me and I swoop her up in my arms. She hugs Stella and kisses both of us on the cheek. Then she picks up Stella’s hand, looks at the ring, and lets her hand drop. I showed the ring to her yesterday.
Palmer looks at me and signs her thoughts. Pretty.
Palmer only knows basic words so far, but she’s getting there. Sedona started sign language with her as soon as she found out Palmer was deaf. In a way, the entire family has all been learning right along with my niece.
I shake my head, putting her down to sign. Secret.
She giggles, and everyone at the party rushes us like an all-you-can-eat buffet, hugging and saying their congratulations.
So much for that.
The door of the restaurant opens again, and everyone turns, because as far as I can tell, we were the last ones to arrive.
A few guests gasp.
Jamison stands in the doorway.
I scan the immediate area for Palmer, but Sedona’s already stepped in front of her, blocking her from his view. Sedona rubs her hand over her swollen belly as though she’s trying to protect the baby inside who’s due in about a month.
“Sedona.” Jamison’s blue eyes widen and the color drains from his face when he gets a good look at her stomach.
But Sedona doesn’t need to worry because all my brothers and brothers-in-law come shoulder to shoulder with me in front of her, crossing our arms.
Good luck, bastard. You aren’t getting through us.
Want more Stella and Kingston? How about a little more of their HEA (Happily Ever After)? Yeah, we thought so.
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Jamison shows up to Lake Starlight to beg for another chance, but the surprise is on him when he finds out Sedona’s pregnant. Did he miss his chance to win his family back? (Sneak Peek Ahead)
Chapter One
Sedona
A soft warm breeze flows into the restaurant when the door opens, and all the guests turn to the door to see who’s arrived. Jamison stands with his suitcase next to him, gaze scouring the space as though he didn’t just walk into a Bailey baby shower. My breath seizes in my chest and my throat closes up for a second before I react.
I shift eighteen-month-old Palmer behind me. She squirms but my grip only grows tighter to keep her hidden in place. She hits my thighs, not understanding, but I don’t budge. You’d think we’re being held at gunpoint from the way my heart races and sweat beads along my back. My mama bear instinct kicks in and it’s fierce. My free hand covers my swollen belly, where his eyes are focused.
His face drains of color.
My brothers and brothers-in-law line up in front of the rest of us, shoulder to shoulder. Kingston’s in the middle, arms across his chest. He’s the most protective since he’s been playing the part of Palmer’s pseudo dad for the past eighteen months. She tried to refer to him as daddy just last week and I had to tell her he’s her uncle not her daddy. Thankfully, she got distracted and didn’t ask any other questions. I’ll never deny her the truth of who her father is, but she’s too young to understand. Then again, I never thought he’d be standing in front of me. Not after all this time.
I imagined that the moment we came face to face again, I’d have my life in order. I wanted to have my travel blog up and running, not just doing freelance work still. I wanted to have my own house, not be living in my brother’s apartment. I wanted to be stunning and gorgeous, not thirty pounds heavier with swollen ankles and fingers that look like sausages. The only real physical asset on me right now is my breasts that have doubled in size.
“Hey King,” Jamison says in his Scottish brogue. He’d lost a lot of his accent after living in America for so long, but it’s still there.
Half the guests gasp, I assume over the fact that he’d use the nickname for my brother that only his closest friends do.
Kingston’s stance widens and Palmer continues to hit my thighs. I loosen my grip on her and she slides between my legs, running forward. I reach for her, but she wiggles out of her yellow cardigan sweater and out of my grasp.
Phoenix snatches her up before she can break past the wall of testosterone, but Palmer kicks and throws tiny fists at her aunt. Phoenix glances over to me, silently asking what I want her to do. I nod for her to let my daughter go. Let the bastard see her. See what he gave up.
Phoenix lowers Palmer’s feet to the ground and my entire family watches with rapt attention. I know my daughter and who she’ll go to and I trust that he’ll protect her. Just as I assumed, Palmer snakes around Kingston’s leg, peeking out from behind him.
His hand comes down and places it on her head, looking over his shoulder at me, silently wondering why I’d allow this I’m sure. But I nod. He’s here. He’ll see her at some point and it’s better for me to have my family here supporting me when it happens.
Kingston bends down and scoops her up in his muscular arms.
She signs to him. Who?
King looks over to me for an answer. I shake my head. So, Kingston signs back. Nobody.
Palmer’s curiosity isn’t satisfied though, and she hurries to sign. Why he here?
Kingston blows out a breath, not happy to be in the situation I’ve put him in. This is my responsibility not my big brother’s, so I step forward, but Phoenix’s hand clamps down on my wrist. I shake it off and go around my brothers’ defensive line. I
guess I know where Palmer gets her unwillingness to listen.
“Don’t Sedona,” Denver says in a soft tone.
I hold my up hand. “I have no choice. He’s here.”
We talk about Jamison as though he’s not right in front of us. His eyes haven’t left my stomach yet. Not even to look at who the little girl is in Kingston’s arms. The ironic thing is that I look much the same today, as I did the day I walked out on him. He had passed out on the couch and like some sad movie, I gave him one last glance with my suitcase in hand before shutting the door on that chapter of my life.
“Sedona,” Kingston says, and I turn.
Palmer’s signing at me. Mommy. Mommy.
I hold up my finger to her and turn back to Jamison, about to grab him by the arm to drag him outside, but his eyes are locked on Palmer, his feet planted firm.
My heart gallops in my chest like a wild horse racing through the wilderness. I want to run over to Kingston, snatch Palmer out of his arms and run as fast and far away as I can. Granted that wouldn’t be fast or far with how pregnant I am, but still.
Tears fill Jamison’s eyes and I look back at Palmer who’s now fixated on her father. She’s too young to see what the rest of us all do. Their shared blue eyes. Their same thin nose and thick wavy hair. Although her hair is darker than his, resembling more my shade, no one could deny she’s his. And there’s no doubt with his sole attention on her, he just put it all together.
If he’s high or drunk like I left him, he could think he warped back eighteen months ago and I’m still carrying his baby.
He takes his hand off the suitcase he wheeled in and lifts both hands.
Palmer’s gaze focuses on him like she’s watching the Lake Starlight baseball team. My girl loves baseball, something her uncles couldn’t be happier about. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe she sees the resemblance even at her young age.
Jamison signs to her. Hello.
My head whips to Palmer and she smiles, signing back. Hello.