Meanwhile, Jason Chiago and Winona made their way back from the dance floor, hand in hand, their baby boy on Win’s back. Naomi and Chaska Belcourt and Ellie and Jesse Moretti supervised their little ones on the beginner’s end of the climbing wall.
“Do you regret not having kids?” Megs asked Mitch.
“No.” He kissed her hair. “Where did that come from?”
“The town is going through a baby boom—or hadn’t you noticed?”
“Oh, I noticed.” He chuckled. “You and I had other things we wanted to do with our lives. I’m content with that decision. How about you?”
“Every once in a while, I wonder what it might have been like to see a little Mitch running around. Then I see Lexi looking so uncomfortable at nine months pregnant or watch little Mr. Ketchup creating dirty laundry over there, and I’m good.”
Mitch laughed. “I hear that.”
Rain approached. “How are you two doing? More champagne?”
“I think I’m past my limit. How about you, Mitch?”
“No, thank you, Rain.” He had to watch his alcohol intake because of anti-seizure medication. “I think we’ll be heading home soon.”
“At the end of this set, I can invite all the single women to the dance floor so you can toss your bouquet.”
As far as Megs was concerned, it was a bizarre tradition, but she’d gone this far. She might as well go all the way. “That sounds good. Thanks.”
Rain smiled, touched a hand to Megs’ shoulder. “Thankyou! It’s a fun party.”
Kurt stood and walked over to them, a small package in his hand that was wrapped in silver paper and topped by a pretty bow. “How are the newlyweds?”
Megs raised an eyebrow. “Is that a gift?”
“I know you said you didn’t want any presents, but I’m pretty sure you’ll want this.” He handed them the gift and a card. “Open the card first.”
Megs and Mitch did as he asked. It was a wedding card, full of sweet wishes. But the words Kurt had written hit home.
Getting to know you has brought so much of my father back for me. I am blessed to have spent time with you. Thank you for sharing your journal with me. I’ve shared the copied pages with my mother, who sends her love and her apologies for not staying in touch.
Congratulations on your marriage, and thanks for allowing me to play a part in it.
Warmly,
Kurt
Megs held it so that Mitch could see. “Thank you, Kurt. Having you in our lives has helped heal a lot of wounds. We are so grateful to you.”
Then they opened the gift.
It was a picture frame.
Megs turned it over to see the picture—and the breath left her lungs in a rush. “Oh, my God. Mitch!”
Mitch cleared his throat. “It’s the three of us on the summit of Everest.”
In the photograph, they stood close together, exhausted, cold, and jubilant, the light of a Himalayan dawn on their faces, so young and truly on top of the world.
“My mother has a lot of old photos of you three, including the last ones from the summit of El Diente. She would love to get together sometime and share. She thought you might have some of my dad.”
Megs nodded. “We do. That would be wonderful.”
She stood, hugged Kurt. “Thanks for everything. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. Your father would be so proud of you.”
