Love, Honor, Respect

by Elle Linder

  “I mentioned starting a family, and she told me not to rush into it.” Lauren screwed up her face. “Yeah, exactly. She wants me to get my bearings being a wife and stepmom. I don’t know, Lauren, my gut is sending off all kinds of alarms.”

  “Maybe that’s all it really is. We all know what a control freak you are,” Lauren teased.

  “No. It’s big. I can feel it in my bones. Since yesterday, I’ve caught her deep in thought several times. She only does that when she’s battling with her conscience.”

  “Sort of like you.” Lauren snorted, nudging Julia gently.

  “She’s where I get it from.” Julia shrugged, forcing a slim smile as they arrived at the site. She sighed wistfully as a flood of memories rushed back.

  Nine months ago, she had dreamed of a woodland wedding while standing in this very spot with Luke. She tingled recalling how he had changed from a scary mountain man into charming lumberjack. That day walking on the property had been the beginning of their love affair.

  It hadn’t taken Luke long to sweep her off her feet—a giant accomplishment given how different they were from one another. A California girl and a rugged, flannel-wearing man. What were the chances that two vastly different people would fall madly in love? But Luke had captured her heart with his commanding gaze, crooked smile, and staunch morals in short order.

  Except, their passionate relationship hadn’t been easy. An eleven-year age difference and issues with Luke’s ex-wife and kids challenged Julia greatly. Loving Luke had stretched her in many ways. She had grown while opening her heart up to his kids, and she loved them like she would her own. They had come so far, conquering every hurdle life threw their way. And she knew there were bound to be many more hurdles in the future.

  Not once had Luke balked when life got topsy-turvy. He had known what he wanted, and that was Julia…forever.

  But Julia had wavered more than once. Not because she didn’t love Luke; she did, with all her heart. She just didn’t know if she could handle an insufferable, demanding ex-wife. Or leave her California life, and Lauren, behind for a man who had become everything she’d ever need.

  A peace washed over her. There was no doubt in her mind that she had made the right choice. Luke would always be her everything.

  “Two days, babe. In two days, you’ll become Mrs. Luke Hamill. Can you believe it?” Lauren asked. Julia shook the thoughts from her head and grinned.

  “You know, I can believe it. It’s Luke, and what we have together defies logic. Nothing has ever felt more right. God, I can’t wait to become his wife. What about you and Rick? Have you talked about getting married any more?”

  “Oh, he talked about it a lot while he was laid up recovering. Fishing for information: will I say yes, what kind of ring, when should he ask…will I say yes. But I didn’t play into his hand. If he wants to marry me, then he needs to figure it out on his own. And then propose.” She hiked an eyebrow, her blue eyes sparkling. “I like torturing him.”

  Julia giggled, opening her arms to Lauren, and hugged her.

  “I’m so happy for you. A baby and a man. Who would’ve thought the president of single life is the best life club would settle down? And you will say yes, right?” Julia ended the embrace, eyeing her.

  Lauren smirked, popping her shoulders up.

  “Lauren! You will say yes, right?”

  “He got to you, didn’t he?”

  “What? What do you mean?”

  “Yeah, Rick got to you. He pushed out his plump lips and played you like a fiddle. That man…” She shook her head, kicking a pine cone to the side. “If he wants an answer to the most important question he’ll ever ask, that boy better get down on bended knee and ask me properly. Until that happens, we’ll just live together and fuck around.”

  Julia gasped. Lauren could always shock her with her flippant use of “the F-word.”

  “You are impossible! The poor guy only wants to make you happy. And you can’t give him a little assurance that you’ll say yes?”

  “Nope. I can’t. Impossible people like me are generally selfish assholes too.” Lauren giggled.

  “Geez.” Julia rolled her eyes. “You love him. I know you’ll say yes. You’re having a baby together, and you adore Izzy. You’ll say yes.”

  “And if you’re so confident, he should be too. If he doesn’t know I love him by now, then maybe we aren’t right for each other.”

  “Nuh-uh, you’re perfect for each other. But I get it. You want him to be decisive and propose because he wants to, not because you want him to.”

  “Exactly. I’m just fine living with him.”

  “Right,” Julia drawled sarcastically. “I know you. You’re traditionally minded despite your parents’ marriage failing. You want the whole picket fence and two point five kids.”

  “Speaking of snow bunny Paige. She’s driving me nuts. Why did you invite her?” Lauren’s sparkling blue eyes darkened.

  “Lauren! Don’t be a snot. She’s your mom, and I’ve known her for ten years. Dang, girl, try to be nice.”

  “She keeps talking about my dad. It’s sort of freaking me out. After all these years, it’s like she still loves him. How can she after what he did?” Lauren kicked another pine cone, harder than the last. Mentioning her dad, Wes Daniels, always set her off. Julia was certain that down deep Lauren loved him and missed him, though she’d never admit it. He was the reason she’d closed herself off to men and why she didn’t trust most people.

  Curiously, Julia also wondered why Paige would keep bringing him up.

  “Maybe he was her one true love. She’s never settled down with anyone after Wes. I actually feel sorry for her.” And that was the truth. Except, if Paige did still love Wes, why had she been eyeing Luke? It was best to not mention that bit of information to Lauren. It would only send her off the deep end.

  Lauren quieted for a few beats, swirling the toe of her sneaker in the dirt.

  Julia had no doubt that Lauren felt sorry for her mom even though she played like she didn’t care. She cared a lot more than she let on.

  “She wants me to call him and tell him about the baby,” Lauren blurted. “But I won’t. He’d probably lecture me for ruining Rick’s dreams of opening a brewery. Jerk.”

  “You didn’t ruin Rick’s dreams. He’s still opening his brewery. So what if the opening date was pushed out a few months? He’s crazy about you and beyond thrilled about the baby. Luke said he talks nonstop about his little family. Of course, it drives Luke batty too with his gooey love talk.”

  Lauren laughed. “Yeah, he is the more sentimental of the two, isn’t he?”

  “He is.”

  Movement from the corner of Julia’s eye drew her attention. Then she heard Luke laugh, the laugh. Goosebumps covered her body as she listened to her sexy husband-to-be. He had told her he’d be out at the site with the guys to deliver a truckload of tables for the reception, and she’d hoped to see him.

  All day they had been off doing wedding stuff without each other. It was well past two p.m., and she missed him. Maybe staying at the resort had been a horrible idea.

  For the past week, a smile had been plastered on Luke’s face, which was totally uncharacteristic of him. Seeing him with the guys—Rick, Bruce, and Calvin—warmed her heart. Nothing made Julia happier than to see Luke happy.

  “Hey, boss lady,” Calvin hollered, waving eagerly. His boyish grin wasn’t present. It had been replaced by a little scruff and more defined jawline.

  “Hi, Calvin! I’m so happy to see you!” She rushed over to him and hugged him tight.

  “I’ve missed you too. No worries though. I plan to be around more this winter.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” His eyes flicked toward Luke as he walked toward Julia, a look of determination on his face. And desire. “We’ll talk more later.”

  “Okay.” She smiled, then turned toward Luke. “Well, fancy seeing—”

  Before she could finish, he’d cut her of
f, his mouth crashing into hers. He held her face as he kissed her desperately. Chatter surrounded them, but Luke didn’t seem to care. After he’d claimed her on The Peaks dance floor, nothing and no one stopped him from kissing her in public.

  “Yes! Get her good, Luke!” Rick yelled.

  Cheering and clapping ensued when Luke lifted Julia’s leg and wrapped it around his thigh. The stinker always liked to put on a good show for onlookers.

  “Get a room!” Lauren hollered through her giggles.

  Luke abruptly stopped. “Gladly.” He lifted Julia off her feet and carried her behind an evergreen tree.

  “Luke!” She giggled. “What are you doing?”

  “This is the closest thing to getting a room.” He pressed into her pelvis, gripping her ass, a hand on each butt cheek.

  She shuddered, feeling his firm erection as he rubbed against her.

  “Oh, Luke…not fair.”

  “You’re telling me it’s not fair. I went to bed with a massive hard-on and woke up with one. You’re killing me, baby.” He rubbed into her some more, arousing her southern region as he kissed her.

  “You’ll mess your shorts,” she said against his lips. His hand dipped between her legs. This was bad, but it felt so good. Still, she had to extinguish the fire inside her horny man. “Where are the kids and my mom?”

  He pulled back, eyes dark. “You did that on purpose.”

  “I did.” She made a pouty face. “There are four people standing several yards away from us. It would be wrong to grope each other and dry hump.”

  “Neither of us would be dry.” He stared at her, eyes smoldering.

  “You were a little out of control there, Mr. Lumberjack. That’s so uncharacteristic of you,” she teased, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  He growled low. “You’re torturing me. Any other time I’d love it, welcome it, but fuck, baby, I need you. I’ve been blue balled all day.”

  “Aww, I know. I need you too. But just think how spectacular our wedding night will be.” She hugged him, kissing the crook of his neck. “Please…I just want everything to be magical.”

  He sighed. “You know I’ll do anything for you.”

  “Thank you. Now let’s get to work.”

  “First, I need to adjust myself…and breathe.” She threw her head back and giggled. “It’s not funny. You do some serious shit to me. But tell me…you’re wet, aren’t you?” He tilted his head, eyeing her.

  “Of course I am.” His low growl vibrated through her body as he kissed her. “Let’s go, handsome.” She pushed him back, and he released her.

  He exhaled as they rejoined the group.

  “Not a word,” he commanded, looking directly at the guys. Sniggering and whispers permeated the site.

  Julia’s cheeks flushed as she approached Lauren, who was bobbing her eyebrows up and down. Julia turned back toward Luke, and he shot her a sexy wink that turned her to jelly.

  Life was incredibly beautiful.

  five

  A Silent Prayer

  Back at the resort, Julia hid in her office, making phone calls and triple checking her checklist. She hadn’t seen her mom all afternoon and was quite all right with that. As far as she knew, her mom and aunts had taken Heather and Brice into town. That was five fewer people she had to worry about, and she’d relish it for however long it lasted.

  She dialed Chase Peterson, the cattle rancher who was providing the meat for the reception and the last person on her call list. Chase was a handsome, rugged man who she’d guess was in his mid-twenties. Upon meeting him for the first time, she’d thought he’d be perfect for Erika, but from what Chase had told her weeks ago, he was taken by Shelby Turner.

  Chase’s candidness regarding Shelby had shocked Julia. To hear a man talk openly about a woman, some might think him whipped or weak. But Chase seemed anything but weak. He reminded her a little of Luke. Confident, honest, and unapologetic. He had dark hair and eyes, thick furrowed brows, and a muscular build. She’d bet the resort he had a nice six-pack under his T-shirt too.

  “This is Chase,” he answered on the sixth ring, jerking Julia to attention.

  “Hi, Chase, this is Julia Greene out at Brook Trout. I was just following up. The wedding is in two days, and—”

  “And you’re just double checking everything is in order?”

  “Yes. I’m a little neurotic like that.” She felt her cheeks warm. A little neurotic? Hell, she was crazy neurotic.

  He chuckled, then made what sounded like a clicking noise with his mouth.

  “Did I interrupt you?”

  “Nah, just moving the cattle to another location on the property. You sound a lot like my Shelby. Her brain never stops. She’s always trying to make everything perfect. I’ll tell you what I tell her… Darlin’, nothing in life will ever be perfect. Shoot for the stars and accept what the universe has in store for you. ’Cos that’s as perfect as it’s gonna get.”

  Julia chewed on that for a moment. Wise words indeed. Impressive.

  “Has Shelby followed your sage advice?”

  “Oh, hell no!” He chortled. “She’s damn stubborn too.”

  Julia giggled. She and Shelby might be more alike than Chase realized.

  “Well, she sounds great. Bring her to the reception. I’d love to meet her.”

  “I’m sure she’d like to meet you too, but she lives in California. She won’t be home until Thanksgiving. I’ll let her know you’d like to meet her.”

  Strange. It surprised her that his girlfriend lived in California. He hadn’t mentioned it before. Then again, he didn’t owe her an explanation regarding his love life.

  “Yes, do tell her. So…the meat.”

  “Yes, it’s all taken care of. My dad and I will be out at the resort Saturday morning along with Kandace, I believe.”

  “Yup, she said she’d be over around nine.”

  “And so will we. Say, if you need any help with anything else, setup or takedown, I’m available.”

  “Wow, that’s a sweet offer. Thank you. I think we have it covered, but if not, I’ll be in touch.”

  “That’d be great. We’ll be seeing ya soon. Take care.” The call ended.

  Julia smiled, putting a check mark beside Chase’s name on her list. Next up, Seaton’s Flower Shop. She grabbed her handbag on her way out of her office.

  “Erika, I’m heading over to Seaton’s if anyone needs me.”

  “Got it. You’re looking more relaxed.” She glanced at Julia, then went back to the computer.

  “I am. All that’s left for me to do today is see Louise, and then I’ll run over to the house to make sure everyone’s clothes are ready.”

  “Watching you obsess over the wedding has made me decide to not have a wedding. Not that I need to worry about it without a guy in my life.” She smirked.

  “I’m sure you’d manage planning a wedding better than me. You know I’m uptight.”

  “Yes, this is true.”

  Julia laughed as she walked out of the lobby. Would she always be uptight? Probably. What was so bad about wanting perfection and control over everything? She attributed her success to her neurotic, obsessive behavior. Without it she might not have opened the Azure Inn and Spa or agreed to help Aunt Becky when she broke her thigh.

  If she hadn’t believed she could manage the inn from Idaho while running the resort, she wouldn’t have met Luke. Her throat thickened with emotion. She couldn’t imagine her life without Luke.

  Her neurotic, obsessive behavior was a great thing.

  Suddenly, the need to connect with Luke entered her. She pulled out her phone and shot him a text.

  Julia: Heading to town. Need anything?

  Luke: Just you.

  Julia: I’m the luckiest woman. Love you.

  Luke: You are pretty damn lucky. So am I. Dance with me tonight?

  Julia: I’d love to. Just keep it clean. My mother will be watching.

  Luke: Right. Clean. Swell. Love you, baby.
>
  Julia: XOXO

  She giggled while pulling out of the parking lot. Luke wasn’t the only one struggling. She was just as sexually frustrated as he was. They were a couple of horny toads that couldn’t get enough of each other. They rarely went to sleep without making love first, and morning sex was the best way to start the day. She fanned herself as tingles stirred between her thighs.

  Their wedding night was sure to be unforgettable.

  The little bell on Seaton’s door announced Julia’s arrival. She scanned the shop; Louise was nowhere to be found. Odd.

  “In the back. Be out in a sec!” Louise hollered in her scratchy, animated voice.

  Nyle poked his head out, waved to her, and then retreated.

  “Julia dear, you can come on back,” Louise called. “Just organizing your flowers!”

  Julia followed Louise’s voice to the stockroom. She gasped, covering her mouth. A wave of emotion hit Julia hard. The reality of becoming Luke’s wife got more real with each passing day.

  “Whatcha think, doll face? Does it meet your high standards? Hmm?” Louise probed.

  “Yes,” she replied in a soft whisper. “They’re gorgeous. All of them.” Ferns, country roses, dahlias, and peonies covered the tables. The colors surrounded her in a mural of mauve, cream, deep orange, and plum. Seeing it all in person stole her breath away.

  “Yeppers! You sure know your flowers there, missy. I can’t wait to see it all put together.” Louise danced around the table. “We haven’t had a wedding in Faithful Falls since Tami and Aaron. And Lordy, that wasn’t much of anything. They went to the courthouse, and then a big group of them met at The Peak afterward.” She tapped her index finger on her lips. “I’d suspected Tami was pregnant, but I was wrong that one time.”

  That one time? Julia rolled her eyes as she looked away. “Tami had told me that they didn’t want to make a big to-do of it. They just wanted to get hitched.”