Page 18 of The Grouchy Lumberjack’s Bride

“What?”

“That you were just inside me. Is it weird that we had sex?”

“We’re married now.”

She nibbles on that bottom lip and nods. “So is that what we’re doing? Like a married-with-benefits kind of situation? I’m not complaining. I just want to know what I’m getting into.”

“Is that what you want?”

“You have to answer first. I asked the question,” she says.

“Then no. That’s not what I want.”

“What are we doing then? What is this?”

“This is an I’m-all-in-I-gave-you-my-heart-when-I-was seventeen-and-I’m-never-walking-away-again kind of thing.”

Wide eyes full of hope and so much love shine back at me.

“Peanut,” I say softly, “I’m in love with you, and regardless of how it happened or how long it took, I’m fucking glad you’re my wife.”

“I love you too,” she says with a sweet smile.

“Now you’ll never get rid of me.” I pull her closer and rest my face in the crook of her neck, where she smells the sweetest. “You’re stuck with me forever.”

“At least you’re good in bed.” She giggles. “I love you, Cain. I’ve always loved you. Let’s not be stupid anymore or waste any more time. Let’s just love each other until we die.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

epilogue

Jade

Six months later…

Our wedding wasn’t exciting since neither of us realized it would be a legitimate union. So we’re ensuring that today’s ceremony is perfect. And special. Memorable, so we can celebrate it every year.

I’ve put on a pretty lavender dress, and Cain is wearing a sleek black suit that looks sinful on his bulky muscles. His pale purple tie softens him a little so he’s less grouchy-looking. Granted, he smiles more these days. I like to think I have a little something to do with that.

“Let’s go!” Cain yells from the kitchen. “We’re going to be late. Whatever last-minute hair and make-up nonsense you girls have to do can be done in the truck.”

I laugh as I put my earrings on. My hair is a mass of blonde curls, but it’s humid outside, so there’s not much to be done to fix that.

I make it to the kitchen before Sasha does. I lean up to kiss my husband, and he smiles down at me.

“You look gorgeous, as usual,” he says.

“Thank you. It would be nice if my hair could look better than my husband’s for one day in my life, but whatever.”

He laughs as Sasha runs into the room. She has a pair of purple low-top Converse tucked under one arm and a bag over the other. “I’m ready. Mostly.”

We drive into town and make it to the courthouse in plenty of time.

Sasha makes the final touches to her mascara—something I had to go to bat for on her behalf since her brother was hesitant. I assured him that mascara is perfectly acceptable for a thirteen-year-old girl.

The building is nearly full when we file into the courthouse. While Saddle Creek is the county seat, it’s still a relatively small courthouse. My heart nearly bursts as we watch our friends and family members enter the pew-like rows. There are flashes of purple on almost every person.

“Why is everyone here?” Sasha asks.