Page 93 of Full Mountie

“Dad said we could explore the trails today, and if we’re well behaved at the wedding tomorrow, we can go zip-lining up in Whistler before we go back to Ottawa,” Alan says in a rush of words. I feel kind of smug for being able to tell the twins apart. It’s not hard if you’re paying attention. Alan has a tiny scar above his right eye. Eric doesn’t. Sadly, some people can’t be bothered. I did laugh when I heard a kid call Eric ‘the other Alan’, though.

“Sounds like a fair deal. Try not to get lost.”

“Oh, Daniel has a map,” Eric says, pointing at his big brother. “He's in Venturers. That’s where you go when you’re too old to be a scout anymore.”

“In that case, have fun exploring.”

Such a nice family.

My phone vibrates before my jacket pocket emits Lachlan’s ringtone. I’m a little startled at the sound—especially in the quiet of the forest.

Most of the time, my phone is set to vibrate only, but being surrounded by people for three full days and virtually no privacy, Lachlan, Beth, and I set up ringtones to make it easier for us to talk privately.

“Hey Lachlan, what’s up?”

“Are you nearly done? Things are good to go on this end. We’re just waiting on Ellie.”

I give a small chuckle. He’s worried I’m going to upstage the bride and arrive after she does, interrupting the rehearsal proper. “Relax, I’m only a few minutes out.”

“Is that you half-way along the footbridge?”

“You know it is.”

He lets out a long sigh. “Hurry up. You look like you’re out for a Sunday stroll.”

I suppress my urge to shoot him the finger, but I do pick up the pace.

When I get back to the lodge, Beth is having a glass of champagne with Gavin while they wait for his bride-to-be to arrive for the rehearsal.

She’s radiant. I want to walk over there, pull her into my arms, and kiss her senseless. Two things keep me from doing exactly that.

I’m on duty. And our affair is a secret.

A dirty big secret.

Lachlan is only a few steps away. His eyes are constantly moving, searching the area for the slightest thing out of place. I love that look. It may have been what first attracted me to him all those years ago.

Another dirty big secret.

Normally, I love secrets. I revel in them. Especially when they’re deliciously filthy. The forbidden can be so irresistibly tantalising.

But not this time.

All this sneaking around doesn’t feel right. It eats at my gut.

Usually, I love shit that doesn’t feel right. That’s my wheelhouse. But after two months of deliciousness, today has been full of weird and unfamiliar feelings.

Guilt, maybe. It feels disrespectful to be the reason why Lachlan and Beth have to hide their feelings.

If it weren’t for me…

My thoughts trail off as Ellie appears.

She looks stunning in a floaty ivory floral print dress that comes to her knees. It’s a bit more formal than a sundress, but she looks comfortable.

Gavin’s eyes light up as soon as he spots her. He crosses the floor to meet her, then pulls her into his arms and kisses her like nobody’s watching.

I steal a glance at Beth, then Lachlan. Am I standing in their way?

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