“That’s right.” I wrap my arms around my wife and brazenly kiss the top of her head. “And there’s not a thing we’re going to do about it.” I look to Levi. “We’ve always beenfamily.”
“Only now it’s official.” Levi bows his head as if conceding. “Welcome to the family, Brody. I couldn’t have picked a better man forRaven.”
“Aw!” Low coos and begins to weepuncontrollably.
The band starts in on a slow dance and calls the bride and groom to enjoy their firstdance.
“Not without you two,” Lex barks at Raven and Low. “Pull yourself together, Low. Grab your men and followme.”
And just like that, the six of us are swaying to the music, each of us a lucky bastard with the woman of our dreams by oursides.
I pull back and gaze down at my own beautiful bride. “So, where’s the honeymoon? You’ve seen every corner of this planet, Mrs.Wolf.”
Her mouth falls open, and the most soulful moan expels from her throat. “Oh my God! I completely forgot I finally get to steal your name! I’mMrs. BrodyWolf.”
“Raven Wolf.” I make a face. “Who’s the animalnow?”
“Does that mean I get to call you Tater Tot?” She glances down at my crotch, and Icringe.
“Honey, that’s the whole baked potato. One of those obscenely long Idaho russets. We’re not fooling around downthere.”
“You’re telling me.” She bites down hard on her lower lip. “And to answer your question—HollowBrook.”
“Excuse me? Did you just name my fire-breathing dragon Hollow Brook? I guess that means I’m as big as the whole damntown.”
She’s quick to shake her head. “That’s where I want to honeymoon. I want you and me to stock up on enough food to last the winter and then lock our front door. I want us to hibernate under the covers together for the entire new year. Is that too much toask?”
A dark laugh rumbles from me. “Sweetie, there’s not going to be a whole lot of sleeping during our honeymoon. Not on my watch. There’s fun to be had, and you’re not snoozing this oneout.”
Her body trembles with a laugh. “Oh, hon, I’ll be too busy feasting on your body to catch a long wink. You sure you’re up for this yearlong marathon? I predict it will require a hell of a lot of cardio. I hear you’re pushingthirty.”
I tip my head back and howl out a laugh. “Have you heard of the Ironman? Because you might want to start training now for the beast of a workout you’re about toget.”
“How about we start training together?” Her hand slithers up my back, and she gives a quick scratch over my shirt that penetrates right down to my bones with promise. “You can show me the ropes. Teach me what positions you think will benefit me best. I’d hate to hurt a hip flexor ortwo.”
“I’m partial to you taking a seat.” I give a wickedgrin.
“You do make a mean buckingbronco.”
I wince at the visual. “And you make a beautifulbride.”
My mouth falls over hers as Raven and I kiss right there on the dance floor in front of our family, in front of our friends who are now one and the same. I will never forget this magical season, the one in which a beautiful raven-haired girl flew into my arms, my heart, into the rest of mylife.
Raven kisses me with a fevered passion, and I don’t care about having my head knocked off by Levi. My only focus in the world is giving my wife exactly what she desires,me.
I plan on doing just that for the next seven decades orso.
Life is sweet, but Raven issweeter.
Christmas morning,Pete Collins comes by with a sealed envelope, wishes me a happy holiday, and takes off, leaving me with this one final piece of mygrandfather.
Raven thought it was far too big of a moment not to honor in some special way, so we pack ourselves in my truck and drive straight to the overlook. I agree about us needing a special place, but for an entirely different reason. The switchbacks are barren as most people are still home this early morning bundled in blankets exchanging gifts while sipping hot chocolate. The pine trees that line the road look taller, greener, far more valiant and noble as if they, too, were paying homage to the memory of mygrandfather.
We hit the parking lot at the top and watch for a moment as the steam rises from the Witch’s Cauldron, a natural hot spring in a series of them sprinkled over the mountaintop. Raven nudges me, and we get out and head to the railing with its expansive view of the city below. The clouds hang so low we can touch them as we take in this miniature version of Jepson and Hollow Brook out to theright.
“Are you ready?” Raven cups my face in her hands and draws me close toher.
“With you around, I’m always ready.” I plant a warm kiss over her beautiful mouth. Raven is a striking beauty on any given day, but on Christmas she’s the shining star, the sparkling angel topper all inone.
