“That sounds amazing,” Emma says genuinely.
“It is. The certification process is rigorous but manageable—I can complete it while still working with animals here and living in the Zone. And honestly?” I glance over at Ryder, who’s dancing with Yara. “This fits who I am so much better than vet school ever would have. I get to nurse injured hawks back to health, release them into the wild, and build the sanctuary with Ryder. It’s not giving up my dreams. It’s actually finding the right dream.”
“You’re going to be incredible at it,” Emma says.
“I really think I will be.”
Marissa joins us, and the conversation quickly turns to Zone gossip, which I’m now addicted to. My attention to my friends falters as Ryder approaches for another dance. Damn, that male is gorgeous on his worst day when his sooty face has sweat rivulets and he needs to undo his braids to get the smell of smoke out. But now? In that perfect gray tux, his eyes luminous with love and affection? It’s enough to make me swoon.
As we sway together to an acoustic version of “The Luckiest,” he murmurs, “Did you know Jake arranged this?”
“I had no idea.”
“He wanted to contribute. Said his big sister deserved the perfect dance.”
His big sister. The casual way he says it makes my heart squeeze.
Later, as dusk settles and string lights twinkle on, Ryder and I slip away to the cabin porch. Boots follows, claiming the porch swing between us.
“How long before someone notices we’re gone?” I ask.
“Kam will give us ten minutes.”
“Then we’d better make them count.”
Laughter drifts from the meadow, string lights glowing against the darkening sky as we sit wrapped in quiet contentment.
“Thank you,” Ryder says suddenly.
“For what?”
“For taking a chance on a quiet firefighter who gave you a nickname before he really knew you… although it fit perfectly. For building this life with me. For becoming my family.”
“Right back at you, husband.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
Tomorrow, we’ll start our brief “honeymoon,” which will consist of deciding where to build the first barracks on the property. At some point, we’re going to have a refuge up here, and we’ll need volunteers. Then we’ll get back to reality and start our real lives together: me working toward my wildlife rehabilitationcertification, Ryder continuing his firefighting work, and both of us building Mountain Paws Sanctuary one day at a time.
“Hey, Ryder?”
“Yeah, Solarin?”
“I’m glad it snowed.”
He laughs, pulling me closer. “Me too. Best Christmas miracle I ever got.”
From the meadow, someone starts singing, and others join in.
“That’s Kam. Bet you didn’t know he has a beautiful voice and plays the guitar like a pro.”
“We should probably go back,” I say without moving.
“Probably,” Ryder agrees, also not moving.
Boots meows his agreement with staying put.
