Page 89 of Because You Loved Me

Noa knew that they’d discussed it. Still, hearing it from Kat, it stung a little, but she didn’t say so.

“But Asher has never dated anyone. Not even one time.”

“That’s crazy.” He’d told her as much during one of their many long conversations. Still, there’d been part of her that suspected Asher might have been telling her only what she wanted to hear. “Not even one girlfriend? Not in high school?”

“No.” Kat shook her head. “Never. And he certainly wouldn’t have brought a woman home for Christmas. That’s how we knew that you were special. Even if he had only known you for a few days. There must be something pretty unique about your connection for him to bring you to the big house.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, Kat squeezed her eyes shut and waved her hands in front of her face. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said any of that. It’s totally inappropriate to talk about him like that on your wedding day. And it’s really none of my?—”

“My wedding day?” So, Noahadheard Kat right the first time. “No,” she said. “I think you misunderstood. I’m not getting married today.”

Kat almost spat out her water. “You’re not? Oh, thank goodness.”

The other woman looked so relieved that Noa couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess I didn’t really make it clear on the phone, and given recent events, I can see how you might have…but no. I’m not getting married. Ryan and I decided it wasn’t a good idea. Today is actually a vow renewal for my parents and Ryan’s parents, Jeannie and Brad. We decided to use all the wedding planning for them instead.” She stopped short of telling Kat that there was no way she could marry another man after the time she’d spent with Asher and the feelings she’d developed that she didn’t even know she’d been capable of.

The petite redhead put her things down and threw her arms around Noa into a spontaneous hug that made Noa laugh.

“I didn’t realize you had such strong feelings about it.”

Kat took a step back and straightened her hair. “Sorry. I’m sure that was kind of weird. I don’t really know you. But…” She glanced around the room.

They were still alone, so Noa pulled out two chairs for them to sit at the table.

“This is going to sound strange and I’m probably completely oversharing, but I don’t care.” Kat reached for her hand and squeezed. “I know I hardly know you, and I don’t know your story or why you decided not to get married and jumped into my brother’s truck.”

Noa opened her eyes wide. It maybe wasn’t her proudest moment, but it had led her to Asher, and she’d never regret that experience.

“So I can’t speak to that,” Kat continued. “But what I can tell you is that it’s been a rough couple of years for my family. Since my father died, we’ve all been learning a lot about ourselves and each other. It’s not my turn yet, but I’ve been paying really close attention and I’m learning that there’s one common thread with all of the things my dad is asking of us all.”

Noa nodded. “Asher told me about the will and the stipulations.”

“Right. And they’re all as different as we are,” Kat continued. “But there are two things that remain true every time.” She held out one finger. “The first is to be true to yourself and what you really need and want, because knowing who you are matters.”

Noa couldn’t disagree with that. It was a lesson she’d been learning, herself.

“And the second thing, maybe the most important one is that love, and those you love, is the only thing that’s truly important in life. More than money or status or the jobs we think we need, it’s love.”

Noa swallowed hard.

“Like I said.” Kat shrugged and laughed a little. “I haven’t had my turn yet, but I suspect that’s what it will ultimately come down to.”

Noa stared at the younger woman for a moment before taking a deep breath. “How did you get so wise, Kat?”

The other woman looked her straight in the eyes. “Like I said, I’ve been paying attention. You’d be surprised what else I’ve picked up on just by watching.” She winked and laughed before it was Noa’s turn to pull her in for a tight squeeze.

* * *

Asher was sweating and exhausted by the time he made it down the forestry roads to the highway but there was no time to quit. Looking back at what he’d just skied through, he knew he’d made the right choice. No vehicles were getting up that road without a plow, and with so few residences tucked up into the forest, it would have been days before a snowplow would get around to going up that way.

He stopped to chug a bottle of water and check his phone. There weren’t any missed calls. Not that he’d expected any, but he’d secretly been hoping that Noa would have returned his call to tell him…what, he wasn’t sure. All Asher knew was that he needed to hear her voice. He needed to know she hadn’t made a huge mistake marrying a man she didn’t love.

Even if she never spoke to him again, he at least needed to know that much.

He thought about calling her again, but there wasn’t much time. Instead, he dialed his eldest brother.

Chase answered on the first ring.

“Hey. I was wondering how you were doing up there in this storm. I guess you know I’m not going to get up there with a vehicle for you today?”

“That’s why I’m calling,” Asher said quickly. “I need you to meet me on the highway. I’m skiing into town, and if you can pick me?—”

---