Page 28 of The Mountain Man's Fake Christmas Bride
"Then we definitely need a pie," Jennifer says, tickling the little girl. "Expert baker pies are the best kind."
As the two women chat about pie recipes and festival plans, Ridge moves closer to me.
"You look happy," he observes quietly.
"I am."
"Scared too, I bet."
I glance at him. "Terrified."
"Welcome to the club." He watches Stella with the same expression I probably have when looking at Jennifer. "Worth it though."
"Yeah." I feel something settle in my chest. Certainty. "It is."
The tree lighting ceremony begins, and we gather with the rest of the town to count down. Jennifer stands in front of me, my arms wrapped around her to ward off the cold. Chellie sits on Ridge's shoulders, clapping excitedly. Stella leans against him, her hand linked with his.
As the massive pine tree blazes to life, bathing the square in multicolored light, Jennifer turns in my arms.
"What are you thinking?" she asks.
I look down at her, this woman who has brought light and color back into my life in just two short weeks. Who has made me believe in second chances and new beginnings. Who sees past my scars to the man beneath.
"That I’m happy the person I choose to do this with was you," I say simply.
Her eyes widen, then fill with something soft and wondering. "You are?"
"Undoubtedly." The words feel right. Natural. True.
"Good." She rises on tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss that promises everything. "Because you make me happy too, Mountain Man."
Around us, the town celebrates the season of light and hope. But in our own private world, wrapped in each other's arms, we celebrate something even more miraculous. The unexpected gift of finding each other, just when we both needed it most.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JEN
"She's here. Oh God, she's here." I peek through the curtains at the sleek black town car crawling up the snowy driveway. "I'm not ready. Are you ready? We should have practiced more. What if she doesn't like me? What if she can tell we're lying?"
Jared watches my spiral with surprising calm, considering he's the one whose elderly aunt we're about to deceive. "Breathe, Jen. She'll love you."
"You don't know that. What if she hates graphic designers? What if she's secretly allergic to curly hair?" I smooth my sweater for the hundredth time, second guessing my outfit choice. "Should I have worn a dress? Do ninety something year old ladies prefer dresses?"
Jared catches me by the shoulders, steadying me. "Jen. Stop. You look beautiful. Just be yourself."
"Myself is a nervous wreck who agreed to fake marry a mountain man for money, then actually fell in love with him. That's a lot for a first meeting with your family."
His smile softens his whole face, crinkling the corners of his eyes in that way that makes my heart stutter. "The falling in love part can stay between us for now."
The town car stops in front of the cabin. A driver emerges first, then opens the rear door with careful formality. A small, elegant woman steps out, wrapped in a luxurious fur coat that probably costs more than my car. Despite her age, she stands straight, silver hair perfectly coiffed beneath a matching fur hat.
"Showtime," I whisper.
Jared squeezes my hand reassuringly before opening the front door. "Aunt Mildred. Welcome to Whisper Vale."
"Jared." Her voice is surprisingly strong for someone her age. "You're looking well. Mountain life agrees with you."
He steps forward to help her up the porch steps, but she waves him off. "I may be dying, but I'm not dead yet."
