I know that we’re talking about more than just my past as a soldier. We’re talking about the boys we were and how we came through so much pain. I glance toward the cabin. Through the sliding glass doors, I can see our women. Joy is holding Danny. She’s bouncing him in her arms and grinning down at him. Emma May is showing him a rattle while the other two women are chatting over pastries and tea.
I can’t help smiling as I see them all together. Things have already gotten so much better since meeting Joy.
“We’re loved now,” I say.
Hunter claps me on the back. “Damn straight.”
Nate nods. “Just keep our eyes on the good things.”
I know the road ahead may still have dark days and hard moments. But it’s different now because I’m not choosing to walk alone. I’m letting my family support me. “Yeah, and there’s still so much more good to come.”
Chapter 12
Joy
As soon as we step into the building, Holly gasps. It’s the sight of the grand staircase that gets to her.
“This place is stunning,” she whispers. We’re back at Club Crave. It’s been six months since I was here with Ford, and we spent a long night dancing around our feelings for each other.
“Heck, I’d make another trip down the aisle for this,” Emma May jokes. She’s here with me, Holly, Callie, and my mom. They’re my bridal party.
I’m getting married to the love of my life in just a few hours. Out of all the places we could get married, I loved the idea of coming back to where it all began, our one special night together.
I never would have imagined that I’d be allowed to get married here. After all, Club Crave isn’t known for holding weddings, despite being a beautiful venue. But when I mentioned the idea to Marsha, she didn’t hesitate to get Charles to call in some favors with his friends.
The next thing I knew, the owner of Club Crave was calling me personally to ask which date I wanted. I was floored. Charles must have made a heck of a deal with the man to get my choice of dates.
I lead my bridesmaids upstairs to the room where we all crowd in, getting ready together. Danny is here with us. He’s now an active fourteen-month-old boy. He plays happily on the floor as we get ready. Callie and Nate have been married for six months.
Hunter and Holly are planning to get married later this year. I think Holly wants a December wedding, and Hunter is willing to give her whatever she wants. He’s just as devoted to my sister as Ford is to me.
Meanwhile, Emma May and my mom have bonded over being widows. They’re friends even though their lives couldn’t be more different. My mom is the high-powered CEO of an entertainment company, and Emma May runs a grocery store in a tiny town. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if mom’s next holiday movie is set in Courage County. I have no doubt that Emma May would help make it happen.
“You are so beautiful,” Mom says as she pulls the curling iron from my hair. She puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze. Then she leans close, whispering for my ears only, “I’m happy for you. He looks at you like your father used to look at me. Like I was the only one in the world.”
I blink my eyes wide, trying desperately not to smudge my lipstick. “He’s my whole world too.”
“He’s a good boy. All my boys are good ones. No one will love you more or better,” Emma May adds to our conversation. She helps me apply one last swipe of lipstick, handing me a tissue and telling me to blot.
“This was way more upscale than I was expecting,” Holly says.
“Me too,” Callie chuckles.
“I worried it would be sleazy and disgusting when I came here,” I agree.
Fortunately, Marsha and Charles knew what they were talking about. They’re going to be attending our wedding today, and I couldn’t be happier about that. The two of them are a big reason why Ford and I finally confessed our feelings for each other.
“I still can’t believe he came after you like that,” Holly sighs softly.
“It’s so romantic,” Callie says.
I can’t help smiling. I never imagined when I stepped into the club that night that I would be so happy six months later.
Living with Ford has been like a dream. We take on a few security projects a month, but we only have to work every now and again. The rest of the time I spend working on my art. Lately I’ve been drawing a lot of landscapes. Turns out, I really like sketching the mountains.
Ford has been building a workshop. He says he wants me to have a proper artist’s space. When he’s not outside working, he’s been attending therapy. He joined a group for veterans who talk about their combat experiences. I think it helps him to remember he has a brotherhood around him.
The nightmares are still intense, but they’re getting less frequent, which I think is a good sign. I love him regardless of the post-traumatic stress, but I also want him to find healing. He’s an amazing man, and he deserves peace.
