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I know without her saying the words what she’s going to say. “Yes. He took a deal.”

“Is he gettin out?”

“Not any time soon. But eventually.”

“Are we mad about it?”

“No. He won’t be eligible for parole for at least a decade. I can live with that.”

“I’m sorry it’s not longer.”

“It is what it is and this way I don’t have to go to court to testify.”

“Yeah. I was really glad I didn’t have to do that.”

We’re quiet for the rest of the drive into town. Each of us thinking about the men who made our lives hell. At least Riley never has to worry. The man who shot Felix in his attempt to shoot her is dead. He’ll never be walking the streets again. Me on the other hand, in thirteen years I’ll have to face the possibility of my ex coming after me.

Chief Yunker assures me he won’t because his release will be conditional on him not contacting me or Granger. I want to believe my ex will stick to that, but in the back of my mind I have to wonder if he will.

“Hey. Michelle called just before I left home. She’s got everything set up. Said your Nan and great aunt have Della’s Dina ready too.”

I smile. I might want a small, quiet wedding but my grandmother and her sister insisted on hosting a reception. Hopefully they haven’t invited the whole town.

Then again, how quiet can a wedding be when it’s held in the town gazebo?

Twenty minutes later I’m walking through the park toward the man I plan to spend my life with. How he made it here before us is a puzzle, although I suspect Riley had something to do with that. People mill around, more people than I invited, and I look at Nan with a raised eyebrow.

“Don’t give me that look, girly. This is a special day and you should celebrate it with those who want to celebrate it with you.” Pulling me in for hug, she whispers, “Besides, your groom has a ton of friends.”

She’s right. Granger might be a mountain man who likes staying on his mountain but he’s not short on friends. He’s lived his whole life in Winter Lake, helping when needed, and he does it outside his job. He took over the firewood business from his parents too.

Why didn’t I think he might want something bigger than I planned?

“Wipe that look off your face.” Nan palms my cheeks. “He wants what you want. And this wasn’t his idea. It was mine. You can’t blame an old woman for wanting the whole town to celebrate the marriage of her only grandchild, can you?”

I smile. “No, I can’t.”

“Good.” Patting my cheeks like she used to do when I was a kid has tears pooling in my eyes. “None of that either. Not yet. We need to get you to your groom before we let the waterworks take hold.”

Offering me her arm, she cocks one gray eyebrow. I hadn’t planned to have anyone walk me down the aisle. There wasn’t meant to be one for a start, but somewhere along the way, Nan organized an aisle. It’s a pale pink carpet with red hearts on it. I have no idea where she got it from, but as we walk down it, my arm tucked in hers, I’m glad she found it.

By the time I reach Granger, I’m grinning. And it’s not because the man is smiling at me. Although that definitely makes me happy. It’s all the people around us. All of them here to witness us exchange our vows.

Nan is right. After what happened a few months ago with Felix, the whole town deserves to celebrate this happy occasion.

Kissing Nan on the cheek, I say, “Thank you. For everything.”

“Anything for you, my sweet girl. Now go marry that man before I try to steal him from you,” she says with a wink and I laugh. If anyone stood a chance in hell of taking Granger from me, it would be Nan.

Letting her go, I turn to face the man who saved me on so many levels. A man who I know will love me for the rest of my life and beyond.

“All right. Can everyone in the back hear me?” Asha asks, his gaze moving over the congregation.

A chorus of yeses echoes across the lake.

“Then let’s get this done.” He smiles at both of us. “We’re here today to witness Granger and Brooke join together in marriage. They’ve asked that I keep this short, so here goes.”

Granger and I reach for each other at the same time. Fingers weaving together, we wait for Asha to begin.