Page 90 of Because You Loved Me

“Wait. What? You’re skiing?”

“Cross-country. It was the only way out.” He didn’t have time to explain everything to his brother. “Just, can you get in the truck right now and meet me? I need to get to the lodge and I don’t have much time. I need to stop Noa before she…well, I just need to get there.”

“I’m on my way.” In the background, Asher heard the jingle of Chase’s keys, and he knew his brother would be on the way soon. “Just stay to the side of the road, okay, and don’t get hit.”

“Hurry.”

Asher hung up, tucked his phone away again, and had another swig of water before he tugged his gloves over his hands and once more started moving toward town.

ChapterTwenty-Two

It turnedout that having Kat come in and pamper both of the brides had been the best choice Noa could have made. She decided to forgo the professional hair and makeup herself and instead slipped into an emerald-green dress. She pulled her hair up into a twist and swiped on some mascara and lip gloss.

She left Janice and Jeannie in Kat’s capable hands for final touches, each of them with a mimosa in their hands, laughing and smiling in a way that made Noa’s heart sing, and slipped down to the lobby. Things were about to begin.

With all the snow, the ceremony had been moved inside, and because most of the original wedding guests had long since returned to the city, Penny, the general manager who’d been helping her with the shift in plans, suggested an intimate setup in front of the stone fireplace.

It was perfect.

They’d created a huge arch from timbers and pine boughs. White flowers and red berries had been tucked into the greenery, and not only did it look gorgeous, but the scent of pine filled the air.

There were a few chairs set out that had been filled with the few guests still in town, and among them, small tables filled with large pillar candles that gave the whole space a romantic and cozy feel.

Noa paused on the landing of the stairs to take it all in.

“It’s something, isn’t it?”

She turned to see Ryan, looking as handsome as ever in his suit, next to her on the stairs.

Noa looked back at the scene in front of her. Light piano music drifted through the air. “It’s perfect.”

“It’s not too?—”

“Don’t say it.” She held up a finger. “I swear, Ryan. I?—”

“I was only teasing.” He grabbed her finger in his large hand and grinned. “This was the right decision.” He gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. “For a lot of reasons.”

“I’m really glad you feel that way.” She gave him a genuine smile, and he offered her his arm. It was time.

She looped her arm through his and together, they walked down the last few stairs and continued slowly down the aisle.

The guests all turned to watch them approach, and Noa knew they must all be wondering why they weren’t there to watch the two of them get married as planned. But it didn’t bother her, the way it might have a few weeks ago.

Her family was fine with their decision and more importantly, she was.

That’s all that really mattered.

New memories were about to be made, and there was nothing that could make her happier than that.

The music changed a little, and their fathers appeared at the front of the room beside the fireplace, looking extremely handsome, and a little nervous in their suits.

“Dad. You look so good.” Noa reached for her father and gave him a kiss. “And Brad…” She kissed the other man on the cheek as well. “You both look so handsome.”

“Noa.” Brad took her hands in his. “I know this hasn’t been an easy time.”

She blinked hard and refused to cry, even when she saw the emotion in the older man’s eyes.

“I want you to know how much we love you. Jeannie and I both. You are like a daughter to us. No matter what.”

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