OK. Now what doesthatmean?
You never have to walk or feel alone again if you choose not to. As long as you have this, we’ll both know that I’m yours.
J.
My heart kicks a beat against my ribs and my body no longer feels like it’s my own. For the briefest of moments I wonder if I should go through with this now that I know how honest and sincere andgoodof a man Jude Cooper is.
Then again, would I have said yes if I hadn’t sensed that already?
Holding the hairpin between my thumb and index finger, marveling at the history and the connection I feel to it. I may not be a Wilson by blood but not once has anyone in this family made me feel like I didn’t belong.
Moments later, I fold his letter and slide it back into the envelope before stowing it away in my desk drawer.
Then I’m standing in front of my bedroom mirror again, sliding the silver hairpin with two white daisies on it into place on the side of my head, the daisy shining back at me like a beacon calling me home.
An anchor to the past, my present, and—I guess—my future. Or at least, my present future where I walk out into the living room and give my dad the only thing he’s ever asked of me.
Whatever happens after that is a problem for later.
Besides, it’s not like this is arealwedding.
Jude Cooper must’ve woven some sort of spell over me in the short time we just spent together. Because there’s no way Iwon’tdo this.Lucky it’s not real, huh?
Except why is there suddenly a small part of me that wishes it could be?
Chapter 4
Jude
“Yousureyou’re ready to do this?” Wy asks as I pace the porch of the Wilson ranch house.
Yes, I’m sure. I’m pacing because I’m nervous as all get out and I don’t even know if Em even found the note and the hairpin.
I thought the whole prenup discussion went well, and I’ve got the signed papers in my back pocket—which is also where it’s going to stay for the foreseeable future.
Other than that, I figure it’snormalto be nervous before getting married. Albeit—ours is not arealwedding. It’s a gesture, a non-binding ceremony to grant Sully Wilson’s dying wish to see his daughter married. To give the man a chance to give his no-longer-little-girl’s hand away. It’s a tradition. A rite of passage.
Besides, what better way to put the rivalry between our families firmly in the past than by marrying two of us off to each other?
Just because I think… no, Iknowthat Em Wilson is my One, and that this is the first step toward me working my ass off at proving to her that we’re meant to be together? Isthatwhy I’m antsy? I mean, surely the Wilsons know about the prophesyand that the mountain rewards the Cooper bloodline—and those connected to it—with their fated soulmates?
“Your silence speaks volumes, Jude,” my best friend replies wryly.
“I know what this is,” I tell him, stopping at the edge of the stairs. “I’m notworried. I’m?—”
“You’re a bundle of energy, and that’s sayin’ somethin’ considerin’ you’reusuallylike the Energizer bunny when you’re anxious.” I snort at that as he cocks his head. “Do you realize you’ve been pacin’ the length of the porch since you came out of her room? You also haven’t said a thing about what happened in there. Was it bad?”
“Not thewholetime.” Yep,that’swhat I’m focusing on.
Wy chuckles. “Uh, yeah you have. Are you OK? We all know this isn’t just a good deed for you. It’s a hell of a lot more important than that.”
“It is. But right now, that’s all it can be. She’s got more than enough to deal with. She doesn’t need me addin’ more onto her plate.”
“From what Sutton says, Sully knows about the Call. That’s why he wants the mountain united again. I don’t think it would’ve comecompletelyout of left field.”
I shake my head. “What am I supposed to say? Hey, I know we don’t know each other but we’re soulmates. I know this marriage is supposed to be for show and all, but I already know I want it to be real?” I stare at him like he’s grown another head. “Youdoknow that’s a surefire way to make sure this weddin’ won’t go ahead atall. Sully’s last days or not.”
“I think you’re underestimatin’ the power of the Call.”