Christmas With A Mountain Man (Rich & Rugged: A Hawkins Brothers Romance Book 5)

by Ellie Hall

  Clearly, Rocky had been paying attention during their many long conversations—where she’d done most of the talking. Apparently, he was a good listener.

  “So he brought my brothers into this and presumably his brothers along with you girls,” Frankie said as they pulled up in front of a stately villa. Numerous cars were parked in a lot to one side as they wound up the long driveway. Apparently, the place was busy at that time of year.

  They were greeted and welcomed inside, but immediately swept through to the back terrace with a spectacular view of the setting sun.

  A tall figure with a beard was silhouetted against the backdrop. Countless other people were gathered, but she only had eyes for him after he made her wait so long for their reunion. Absence made the heart grow hotter. He turned slowly and set down a glass before striding toward her as though single-minded. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met.

  Chapter 14

  Rocky

  Rocky took Frankie in and the set of her sultry lips made him think that his eyes flashed dark with longing. Then he gripped her hand and whispered, “You look gorgeous.” The hug he gave her quickly turned into a kiss.

  She sunk into his arms, lost in his lips like a little boat that had traveled a long distance. He buoyed her and the kiss was like sunshine sparkling on water, glistening and warm. He’d missed her so much.

  The chattering surrounding them grew louder as though everyone realized she’d finally arrived. She stayed close, cocooned in Rocky’s arms a moment longer.

  “I have to ask, why didn’t we just travel together?” she asked after pulling back.

  “Even though I asked your brothers if I could ask you to marry me, I only felt it right to meet your parents and receive their blessing before saying I do.”

  “My parents,” she said, realizing they must’ve been somewhere in the surrounding crowd.

  He cocked a grin. “I also sent you on an adventure so we could have this moment. I wanted to meet you all over again and feel what I did that first time. What I’d denied myself. And because we’re going to be together for the rest of our lives, in a way, I wanted you to enjoy the last hours as a single woman. In case you had second thoughts, I didn’t want you to feel like you had to go through with it.

  She stiffened as though chilled. “Are you having second thoughts?” she asked suddenly nervous.

  “You’re my first thought every day since the day I saw you pull up outside the cabin. You’re my last thought before I fall asleep every night. You’re my every thought in between. Before I was living for myself. Hardly living, actually. Now I want to live for us. For our future together, whatever it brings. Hopefully, some really good meals.”

  “Ah,” she wagged her finger at him and joked. “I knew you were just in this for the food.”

  “I also like to hear you laugh.”

  She giggled.

  “Your hair is something else. You’re like a lioness. There’s just so much of it.”

  She squeezed his firm biceps. “There’s so much of you.”

  But before they could indulge another kiss, a round of laughter and chatter grew closer and a woman immediately started talking in rapid Italian, fussing over Frankie.

  “Mom,” she said, opening her arms for a hug.

  Maria gripped her daughter’s arms and in perfect English said, “You’re getting too thin. Come, come.” She gestured toward a spread of food on a couple of tables.

  “Mangia, bella,” said a gravelly voice infused with as much warmth as the older man could muster.

  “Papa!” Frankie also gave her father a big hug.

  Before going to the food, she made introductions between her parents and Rocky even though it was clear that they’d already met. It made him happy to see their reunion and made him wish his father was there.

  “Yes, yes, bella. We’re acquainted. He arranged this whole thing, after receiving our blessing. I always worried about you marrying an American man, but I like this kid.”

  Rocky smirked under his beard at being called kid.

  Tommy came over and gripped Frankie in a side hug before ruffling her hair. “No, Pop, you were worried about her marrying anyone. American, Italian, whatever.”

  “Tomaso, when you have children you’ll understand.”

  Tommy snorted.

  “I didn’t think my little girl would be the first in the family to marry. I’d like to see you boys get it together.” Marco—Mr. Costa— nudged his chin toward his son.

  “Pop, we’re not kids anymore.”

  “No, you’re not men like Rocky either. A man gets married, settles down, has a family.”

  That time, Rocky didn’t hide his grin because, for the first time in his life, that was exactly what he wanted.

  The group moved over to the food where the Hawkins brothers and the women who’d met Frankie at the Oscar de la Renta store already filled their plates.

  Before long, the conversation had split off, but Frankie and Rocky remained glued together.

  “You brought me halfway across the world so we could be with family.”

  “I figured you’d like it here. And I had to find out if the olive oil was as good as you’d claimed.”

  “And the bread, the tomatoes, don’t get me started on the lemons... Have you had a fresh lemon yet? It tastes like sunshine.” She dipped a chunk of crusty bread in a nearby dish of olive oil and popped it in Rocky’s mouth.

  “This is going to be a delicious problem. But I don’t have wood to split, how am I going to keep fit?”

  “Oh, we walk. A lot. And sleep. Then eat some more.”

  “I don’t see how that helps.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe it’s something in the water.”

  He laughed at her logic.

  “Speaking of fit, I tried on a lot of dresses today.”

  “And...”

  “And what’s the plan? Are we really getting married because most girls have months if not years to plan and prepare. I just think I should know these things.” She smiled and tickled him slightly. He was ready the week before. He’d have eloped as Blake and Cece had done but wanted to do something extra special for Frankie.

  “We could take months or years if you prefer.”

  She bit her lip and then playfully tugged on his beard. “Nope. I’m ready to do this.”

  “Are you?” He turned to face her.

  The small, round lights strung around the outdoor terrace flickered to life, casting everyone in a soft glow.

  “I am.” Frankie’s eyes dipped closed and their lips met.

  Their smooch was soon interrupted by someone clinking their glass with a fork.

  Marco, Frankie’s father, got to his feet and thanked everyone for traveling. “I have to say, it was quite a surprise. I mean, my boys gave me a warning. They said, ‘A mountain man is coming and he has an ax, a beard, and wants to marry our sister.’”

  Everyone laughed heartily.

  “I said over my dead body.” Marco paused. “But even seeing them together for this short time, it’s clear how much they care for each other. And most importantly, Rocky understands the importance of family. I’m thankful for that and tomorrow will be proud to call him my son in law. Also, tomorrow, we’ll officially induct you into the family.” His voice dipped even lower like a mafia boss as he nodded at Rocky.

  Rocky overheard one of Frankie’s brothers say, “More like initiate.” Then he laughed darkly but hoped they were joking.

  At that, everyone continued to visit and eat and drink well into the night.

  Chapter 15

  Frankie

  The next morning was sunny and the birds chirped pleasantly outside. Ordinarily, Frankie would’ve had a serious case of jet lag, but she was too excited to sleep and bounded to her feet. She had a private suite, but on the other side of the door, voices rose and fell.

  “Did you hear the bed creak?”

  “I think she’s up.”

  “Let’s go see.”
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  “No, wait for her to come out.”

  She pulled open the door to find Sadie, Kayla, Cece, and Brynn hovering in a circle. It was what she imagined having sisters would’ve been like and she loved it.

  “Good morning,” Sadie said brightly.

  “Are you ready for a day full of pampering?” Cece asked. Her hair reached her shoulders and swished as she crossed the room and pulled out a robe.

  “Pampering?” Frankie asked.

  “Oh, we are going to have the head to toe treatment.” Kayla wiggled her toes.

  “This is instead of a bachelorette party.” Sadie shook her shoulders and waggled her eyebrows.

  “Well, I’m ready.”

  “Ready to get hitched?” Cece asked with a lifted eyebrow.

  Frankie nodded. “Absolutely.” There had been many times in her life when she wasn’t sure of something, but of the fact that Rocky was the one, her rock and her soul mate, she was certain.

  “Okay, well, let’s get this party started.” Kayla cheered.

  They ventured to another part of the villa where there was a spa. Over the next hours, they had massages, facials, pedicures, manicures, and then had their hair professionally styled. There was much chatter about how Frankie should wear her hair, given the style of her gown. Eventually, they settled on leaving it down with loose waves since Rocky had commented on how much he loved her hair.

  “What are the guys doing?” Frankie asked as a makeup artist dusted her face with blush.

  “Oh, um, well the guys, meaning the Hawkins brothers and the Costas are, um, taking Rocky out on the town.”

  “What does that mean?” Frankie flashed to the night before when she heard her brothers talking about an initiation.

  “Just showing him around. Making sure he’s up to you know, being your husband.”

  “Only the best for their sister.”

  “Are they testing him or something?”

  Sadie shrugged. “It’s ten against one, I imagine he’ll do whatever they make him do.”

  Frankie flinched and the makeup artist had to touch up her lipstick.

  “He’s in good hands,” Brynn said. “Remember, Owen is a police officer. They won’t do anything illegal.”

  “I imagine the laws here are different,” Kayla said.

  Despite her makeup, Frankie paled in the mirror. “That’s not helping.”

  “Okay, okay. Change of subject,” Cece said.

  Everyone went silent. Frankie couldn’t stop thinking about what the guys were up to.

  “I think they went go-karting,” Brynn finally said.

  “Knowing my brothers they’re using actual race cars,” Frankie said.

  “Knowing the Hawkins men, you might be right.”

  “Where do you think you’ll go on a honeymoon?” Kayla asked.

  “Ooooh. That’s a good question.” Frankie let out a long breath.

  “Before we start speculating, can I just recognize that the Hawkins brother who was voted least likely to get married is the most romantic,” Sadie said.

  “Did they really vote?” Frankie asked.

  “Well, I don’t think it was anything official, but he’d sequestered himself up on the mountain for long enough.”

  “But for the right woman, anything is possible...” Cece said as though she too knew this to be true.

  Frankie sighed because above all, she knew that Rocky and she were right for each other. A smile lifted her lips.

  “How’s it feel to be getting married?” Brynn asked.

  “I’m happy.” Frankie leaned back in the chair, feeling grateful. “...And thankful. When Rocky and I met, everything went wrong. We kind of hated each other. We got it all out of our systems and I feel sure everything will go right. If it doesn’t, we already know we can survive problems and challenges that we might face.”

  “I like that,” Kayla said. “It reminds me of something Dallen would say.”

  “I’m glad you girls are here. I never had sisters and I don’t think any of my friends would’ve flown here on short notice. But like my dad said, family means everything.”

  Cece reached her arms around the two women closest to her and the others circled in for a hug. “It is nice having sisters.”

  The women smiled.

  Someone’s watched beeped. “Oh, it’s time for us to get moving. We have to get you in that dress and down to the chapel in town.”

  They went about getting ready and in just over an hour, everyone was gathered outside an old stone church.

  A long line of cars wrapped around the block as they pulled up. Frankie saw many familiar faces and others she only faintly remembered from when she was a little girl. It dawned on her that her father’s comment, about her being the first in the family to get married, was a big deal. Distant relatives must’ve come out of the woodwork for the event even though it was New Year’s Eve. Everyone filtered inside before she and the rest of the bridal party got out of the vehicle.

  “How did Rocky plan this on such short notice? There must be one hundred people here, at least.”

  Brynn winked.

  “It was a team effort,” Sadie added.

  “Thank you all for your help. Whatever you did.”

  As she got out of the car, Kayla passed her a bouquet filled with peonies, ranunculus, orange Asiatic lilies, and sprigs of periwinkle blooms. “They’re so beautiful.”

  “We were each tasked with something,” Kayla said. “I got to do the flowers.

  “You guys didn’t have to, but again, thank you.”

  “It’s what families do.” Brynn smiled.

  They started up the wide steps and stood on the threshold of the church. The room was filled with people. Frankie’s estimate was off by at least double.

  She saw people from her childhood, people from various kitchens where she’d worked over the years, from her travels, and even her best friends from New York City and further afield. Tears pierced her eyes, not because she was sad, but what it meant for Rocky to bring the best people together to celebrate their nuptials.

  It must’ve cost a fortune, but then again, according to the dictates of his father’s will, there was money coming to him. Lots of it.

  As the wedding song started, the others filed down the aisle, opening up her view to the altar.

  Rocky stood tall, wearing a dark suit with a periwinkle tie. He looked dashing, handsome, and exactly like the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

  Anticipation bubbled in her belly as she walked down the aisle. Her arms looped through both her mother’s and father’s. They each gave her a kiss on the cheek and then left her at the altar.

  Time seemed to slow down as she ascended the two steps to meet Rocky.

  His eyes sparkled and didn’t leave hers. A small smile played on his lips and after several readings, they said their vows, repeating the words dictated to them. Then, before the priest went on, Rocky said, “Everything for you, Frankie. Everything forever.”

  She wanted to embrace him right then, wrap her arms around him, hold on tight, and never let go. Instead, she took his words into the deepest part of her heart where the truth lived. They did have forever as soon as they spoke the words, “I do,” then swapped rings.

  Rocky let out a long breath and all too soon they kissed, sealing their marriage.

  The next minutes sped up as they left the chapel in a flurry of congratulations, hugs, kisses, handshakes, and well wishes. All the while, Frankie and Rocky stayed by each other’s side. Now that they were married, there’d be no more escaping to mountain hideaways or doing life solo. They were bonded and would forever remain together.

  The reception dinner was a long and luxurious affair, but while visiting with old friends who’d traveled overseas and family she hadn’t seen in ages, she’d hardly had a bite to eat.

  Cornered on the terrace behind the villa by a couple of aunties, Zia Rosa and Zia Anna, Rocky appeared with a plate of food. “Mangia, bella,” he sai
d, passing it to her.

  She practically swooned at the sound of her second language coming out of his mouth.

  “I like the sound of that. Grazie. Are you going to learn Italian?”

  He shook his phone. “I already have an app downloaded and I’m on lesson three.”

  The aunties started chattering in Italian. Rocky wore a blank expression. He probably hadn’t reached the section on doting and gossiping. The aunties meant well but had a lot to say about love and marriage.

  Thanks to the plate of food, Frankie was able to move off to find a place to sit. Rocky joined her. It was the first time they’d sat down all evening. After she was done eating the delicious kinds of pasta, salads, and breads, she said, “Wait. What time is it?”

  Rocky checked his watch. “Almost midnight, Italian time.”

  “But not in Hawk Ridge Hollow since they’re in an earlier time zone. Which New Year’s Eve are we celebrating?”

  “How about both,” Rocky said.

  The conversations and laughter softened as someone started to count down. Others joined in.

  “We should all gather round,” Frankie said, indicating they move toward the crowd.

  “Let’s welcome the New Year in family style.”

  Everyone counted down the seconds and at the stroke of midnight the crowd erupted into cheers. Fireworks blasted into the sky, sending a shower of sparkling, glittering stars across the dark backdrop.

  Rocky scooped Frankie up and planted a kiss on her lips while spinning her around. “New Year, a new beginning, new life together.”

  When her feet touched the ground, she kept her arms slung around his neck. “What you did was tremendous. Thank you for making this so special. For bringing everyone together. For being amazing.”

  Their gazes held.

  “I like the sound of that last part. Do go on,” he said, joking.

  “Well, there is one thing I’ve been wondering about. You said we’d be starting our future together. Where are we going on our honeymoon?”

  Rocky winked then pointed to the sky. Instead of more fireworks, the lights of a helicopter lowered into the nearby field. “We have a lot of adventures ahead, but this time you’ll have more than a backpack.”