Page 12 of Crushing on the Mountain Men

“Missing kid on the trail,” Creed said. “I’m sorry, but we must go. It’s all hands on deck.”

“Of course,” I said, feeling oddly disappointed that I wouldn’t be with them on this mission.

“Can we see you tomorrow?” Davin asked as they hurried to our cars.

“I’m on shift at noon, but maybe the day after?” I walked with them, extending our time before I would return to my apartment.

“Perfect.” Creed paused at my car and leaned in to kiss me.

His beard was soft against my face as I leaned up to meet him. I braced my hands on his shoulders as the moment stretched, though it wasn’t a pushy kiss. It was perfect, with a promise for more.

Best first date kiss ever. Then it got even better when Davin turned me into his arms for his kiss. Creed’s arms stayed wrapped around me from behind, and I was in between them.

I gripped Davin’s strong biceps as he slanted his head a little to fit his mouth against mine.

After he stepped away with a heart-melting grin, I leaned against my his car door for a moment.

“See you soon.” Creed waved out the window as they drove away.

***

“You look stunning,” Sheila, Tina’s future mother-in-law, said as Tina stood in front of us at the bridal store.

This entire store made me uneasy with its luxury style. I could never spend five thousand dollars on a dress, and I would never want to. As it was, I had to spend three hundred on a lilac bridesmaid dress.

Tina looked beautiful, but honestly, she always did. What really stood out to me was that she didn’t seem happy.

“I’ll help you get changed,” I said when the attendant finished adding a couple of pins along the waist.

“You’ve lost weight. Good!” Tina’s mom said.

I tried not to sigh aloud.

“You okay?” I asked quietly when we were in the dressing room.

She shook her head. “I just want this over with, and to be married to Edgar. This dress is like six months of mortgage at our new townhome.”

I thought for a moment. I’m still certified from officiating at my brother’s wedding. My brother Kevin married his partner, Alton, two years ago. I’d gotten certified online and married them at a state park near their home a couple hours from here. We’d all gone out for cake and a meal.

As I told her about it, I could see her expression brighten. “Tina. Is that what you want, for me to marry you guys?”

She nodded. “But how can I get out of all of this?”“What are the cancellation policies?”

“Sheila would kill us. I don’t even know if Edgar would want that. He has his bachelor party tonight, but then I’ll ask him.”

I nodded. “Let me know. I’m sure Pam would help, too.”

“You and she are the only ones with sense in my life sometimes, it seems. My mother, who eloped, has put so much on this wedding.”

I’d known her mom a long time. “I know. She just wants you to be happy.”

“Would spending this much make you happy?”

As she rattled off the costs for the different aspects of the wedding, I tried to keep the shock off my face.

When she got dressed, I carefully hung up the dress, handling it like a priceless artwork. Then I gave her a hug.

***

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