“Yeah,” I say. “It felt like every loose thread that’s part of me was suddenly tethered toher.”
Case nods, his expression growing soft and warm. “Oh yeah. That’s the best description right there.”
“I always thought it would be like lightnin’,” Wy replies.
I shake my head. “Felt more like gravity.”
“Undeniable,” Will murmurs.
“Inevitable,” I whisper.
“Knewsomethin’was goin’ on. Just didn’t imagine it would be the Call,” Sutton muses. “I swear, when he moved across the room to stand behind her, Em’s whole body instantly relaxed without her even realizin’ it. Blair noticed it too.”
I turn to Will, needing something akin to approval from my oldest brother and leader of the ranch. “Look, I know this is crazy and if you tell me not to, I won’t do it.” He opens his mouth to speak but I keep going before he can say anything. “But you didn’t see Sully. He’sdyin’, Will. Barely a shadow of the man we saw at the diner all those months ago. The strength has gone butthe fire was still there. It’s for his family. He was fightin’ us so hard because he wants the mountain to be put back together. He wants his kin looked after and he believes the Call is how that will happen. Just like how Gramps gave this land to us and we’ve heard the Call.”
Looking around the group, I don’t see confusion or disapproval. I see understanding.
“Even if I hadn’t had a reaction to Em, knowin’ what Sully wants andwhyhe wants it, I think any one of us would do what we could to give a dyin’ man peace,” I say. “But he askedme. He knows I’ll do right by him and his daughter.”
“If this is crazy, then weallare.” Will claps me gently on the shoulder. “You’re a good man with a big heart. One that Gramps would be proud of. One thatI’mproud of. But I’ve got to tell you, this ain’t goin’ to be easy. You know that, right?”
My lips quirk up at that and I turn to meet his amused eyes. “From what I’ve seen, the Call never is.”
“And that’s the whole point of the prophesy” Case adds. “A crossin’ of journeys that lead toward a joint one.”
Wyatt sighs. “I’msooonot lookin’ forward to my turn.”
“Liar,” I shoot back, earning a matching grin from the youngest one of us on the ranch. I stand and walk over to him. “Will you stand up for me today, Wy?”
Wy looks shocked that I’d ask him. I’m not sure why though, he’s my best friend. Although my brothers will be there, I need Wyatt Grayson by my side this time.
Wy’s wide grin gives me the answer I’m lookin’ for. “Of course I’ll be there.”
“So, this is really happenin’?” Case says after a while.
“It really is.” I look between my brothers.
“I’d suggest we all have a drink to celebrate, but I’m thinkin’ that we need to keep our wits about us. Symbolic weddin’ or not,I don’t think the Wilsons would appreciate a bunch of drunken Coopers turnin’ up on their doorstep,” Case muses.
Birdie pops her head out of the front door. “Micah’s sendin’ through somethin’. He did say you’ll have to lodge the agreement after the fact, but he can take care of everythin’ as long as you both sign and date itbeforethe ceremony.”
I feel all eyes turn to me. “I’ll sign whatever Micah sends through and I’m sure Em will have no issue with it. I still say we won’t need it. This is not Sully’s latest scheme to steal the ranch.” I stare at Will and Case. “You didn’t see him. He’ll be lucky to see the week out. He’s dyin’. He’s just a father who wants to see his little girl taken care of.”
“What if she doesn’t want to be taken care of?” Case asks matter-of-factly.
I don’t answer that, mostly because Ican’t. I’m marrying a stranger that I believe the mountain spirit has brought into my life for this reason. None of that seems logical or even common sense.And that says a lot coming from a man like me who acts on impulse often.
Sutton and Case share one of their silent conversations before Sutton turns to me. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Jude. But?—”
“Just say it,” I tell him.
“There’s a lot more to this than the Call. In fact, I think the Call is goin’ to be theleastimportant part of it,” he continues and I can tell he has his therapist hat on.
“I know…”
Sutt shakes his head. “Thank God we’ve never had to experience the loss of a parent, but wehavelost Gramps, and Gran before that. Em’s goin’ to be grievin’ and it’s not goin’ to be a short thing, it’s goin’ to last a while. Gettin’ married anddealin’with that on top of everythin’ else, is a complication she won’twant to deal with or maybe eventhinkabout. Not straight away, anyway. If at all.”
“Iknow, Sutt. I may seem like I’m a scatterbrain sometimes but when it comes to this, I’m fully aware of what I’m signin’ up for. And I’m doin’ it anyway,” I tell him.