“What?” I ask, brows furrowed.
“Just remember that Dad’s as stubborn as the mules in the field. OK?”
“What’s goin’ on?” I ask, suddenly worried.
“Nothin’. You’ll see.” He stands and looks down at me, holding his arm out. “C’mon, daddy’s girl. You should start gettin’ ready to get hitched.”
I let him pull me up and together we head in the direction of the house.
“Can I just ask you one last thing before we go inside?”
Dare stops to give me his undivided attention.God, I love my big brother.“Of course. What is it?”
“What Dad said, about me bringin’ this family together and thinkin’ I’ll unite the mountain. Does he think that because of the Cooper family prophesy?”
My brother looks over my shoulder to the ridge standing sentry behind us. “He meant you’re the glue in this family. He knows that without him and Mom around, you’re the one that’ll keep us strong and movin’ on with our lives.”
I’m already shaking my head before he’s finished speaking. “That’s not right, Dare. I don’t?—”
“He’s right. I may be the eldest, but you’re the inspiration. You’ve always been unapologetically you. You’re strong-willed and determined to live your life without regrets. You left here to go live out your dreams and turn your passion into a career. You never let anyone or anythin’get you down,” he says, making me feel all gooey inside. “You’re also warm and loyal and carin’ and one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever met. You dropped everythin’ to be here as soon as you knew Dad’s health was goin’ downhill. Youmovedhere to be with him and still honored your commitments in Palmer. I’m awed by you, Em. And so damn proud. Always have been.”
I stare at him through tear-filled eyes now, failing to hold back the deluge of emotions I’ve been fighting back for weeks now. I’ve felt like I had to be strong for everyone else since I came back and now I’m losing the battle because my big brother decided to drop truth bombs.
“I love you, Dare. You might just be my favorite brother right now,” I say with a wry grin.
“Love you too, and I damn well better be your favorite.” Then his expression turns serious. “Just don’t discount today and what it means. You’re givin’ Dad his dyin’ wish, and that’s somethin’ only you, and Jude, can do. It’s a truly selfless act, one I hope youandJude know just how much it means to all of us.” He reaches out and pulls me in for a big and very much needed bear hug. “You never know, maybe this is the beginnin’ of a lot of things for us Wilsons.”
I frown at his words.What does he mean by that?“Are you talkin’ about the prophesy again?”
He pulls back and rests his hands on my shoulders. “You’re the one who accepted Jude Cooper’s proposal today without even stoppin’ to think about it. Somethin’ you saw in him or the way he made you feel, made you say yes. All I’m sayin’ ismaybe—just maybe—there might be a little more to this?
“Pfft. Yeah,no. I love that big ol’ romantic heart that you’ve got to go with that big ol’ hulking frame. But no. There’s no way I’m Jude Cooper’s reward or whatever people believe about the Call. There’s no way. We’ve grown up thinkin’ we’re enemies.”
“OK, but think about this. Maybe you’re his reward, maybe you’re not. But what if he’s yours?”
Dare’s words run through my head while I get dressed into a simple white maxi dress I have in my closet, paired with a blush pink cardigan over the top. Given the short notice, I’m quite happy with the make-do bridal outfit. It’s obviously not what a bride wouldnormallywear. Then again, this isn’t exactly a normal wedding, let alone a real one. Besides, I’ve never really thought about what I’d like to wear if Iwasto ever get married, because I never focused on it.
I’ve curled my sandy blonde hair into loose waves, pinning some tendrils up and away from my face. I even put some makeup on, not something I do often when I’m on the ranch. At work, I might wear some tinted moisturizer and mascara when I’m in the office, but I’m a sunscreen and nothing else kind of girl when I’m doing site visits. But today, I want to look like I’ve made an effort because it’s important for Dad.And maybe for Jude too.
A knock at my door catches me by surprise. Crossing the room, the very last person I expect to see when I open the door is Jude Cooper standing there with a shy smile, one that looks far too good on him if I’m being honest with myself.
He rubs at the back of his neck, drawing my eyes to his shirt and how his biceps are seriously testing the stretch capacity of the black fabric trying to contain them.
I realize he’s also wearing a thin black leather tie, black dress pants and boots so shiny I swear I could see my reflection in them if I tried.
“Hi. I—” He falls quiet as his eyes slowly drift down my body, taking me in before dragging their way back up to my face again. “Wow. You look beautiful.”
My cheeks heat and before I know I’m doing it, I reach up to touch my face. “Thanks. I had to make do with what I could find.” I realize how that sounds. “I mean, given the short notice and all.” His shoulders relax a bit so I give myself an imaginary pat on the back. “You look nice, too. Very handsome.”
“Thanks,” he says, his lips twitching as if he’s fighting back a grin. He glances down to a bulky envelope in his hands as we both go quiet again. “Do you mind if I come in for a moment? I won’t keep you long.”
I shake my head and step back, sweeping my arm out for him. Thank goodness I’m a tidy person and always make my bedevery morning. “You can sit in the chair if you want… or on the bed. Wherever, really,” I ramble, suddenly feeling nervous.
The small smile he shoots my way as he takes a seat at my desk has the tightness in my chest disappearing in an instant.Just like when he took my back earlier. I realize then, for the first time since Jude’s proposal in front of everyone, I can finally breathe easy again.
“So…” I say to break the silence that falls between us.
“So…” he says at the exact same time, making us both chuckle.