by Marie Force
“I guess they answered the question,” Wade said with a laugh.
“Good,” Will said. “They’ll take care of you while I’m not there.” He bent to give both dogs some love before he sent them to Cameron’s SUV. “I’ll see you in the morning, hon.” He kissed and hugged Cameron while Colton did the same with Lucy.
Lucy patted his chest. “Don’t get into any trouble.”
“I’ll try to behave.” He kissed her again. “Love you.”
“Awwwwwww,” Lucas and Landon said together, holding and hugging each other while pretending to sob. Next to them, Max laughed his ass off.
“Dad,” Will said. “Do something about them.”
“Boys, leave your brothers alone.”
“I don’t want to,” Lucas said.
“Neither do I,” Landon added.
“Me neither,” Max said.
“They don’t want to, Will,” Lincoln said. “Sorry.”
Elmer’s guffaw echoed through the yard.
Will and Colton were saved by the arrival of Nolan and Skeeter in one truck and three other trucks behind them, presumably containing Nolan’s racing team.
“Don’t block in the black SUV,” Will called to them. “They’re leaving.”
“Let’s get out of here while we still can, Lucy.” Cameron stole one more kiss from Will and headed for the truck.
“I’ll come get you in the morning,” Colton said before he released Lucy. “Early.”
“If you end up having too much fun, you can get me later. Hannah’s shower isn’t until two.”
“It’ll be early.” He kissed her soundly right there in front of his father, grandfather, brothers, future brother-in-law and a bunch of other guys he didn’t know. Even Lucas and Landon’s catcalls didn’t deter Colton from the kiss. “There,” he said when he was done. “Now I should be able to make it until tomorrow.”
As expected, Lucy’s face was bright red, but she didn’t seem mad at him for kissing her in front of everyone. “Have fun.”
“You, too. Text me later.”
“You’ll be too busy partying to text.”
“Text anyway.” He leaned in close to her. “Love you.”
She smiled at him. “Me, too.”
“Say it.”
“Here?”
He raised his brows, issuing a dare. “Right here.”
“Love you, too.”
Lucas and Landon started up again, kissing and hugging and weeping dramatically—and loudly.
“Dad!” Colton said.
“Boys, knock it off.”
“We don’t want to,” Landon said.
“They don’t want to,” Lincoln said.
Aggravated, Colton ignored the whole lot of them and walked Lucy to Cameron’s car and held the door for her. “I can’t wait until this happens to them. Payback is a big hairy bitch named Colton.”
Lucy laughed and kissed him one more time. “Have fun, you big hairy bitch.”
He let out a low growl. “That sounds so hot coming from you.”
She pushed him back and got into Cameron’s car.
Colton waited until she was belted in and then closed her door.
With Will’s help, he directed Cameron to drive forward and then turn around so she was facing downhill.
“Be careful going down,” Will said.
“Believe me,” Cameron replied. “I remember what can happen on that hill.” She winked at him, and his face lit up in a big smile.
Colton recalled when Will had nearly driven off the icy road the first time he brought Cameron up the mountain. Colton had suspected at the time that his brother had been distracted. Watching them now, he was sure of it.
Colton stood with Will to watch them go.
“How’d this happen to us?” Colton asked. “How’d we become the guys who’d rather be going with them than spending the night boozing with these douchebags?”
“I have no idea, but at times like this, I blame Fred.”
“I can blame him, too, right? If he hadn’t snagged Cameron for you, then I wouldn’t have met Lucy, and I wouldn’t be standing here feeling like I just got run over by a steamroller because I don’t get to sleep with her tonight.”
“You can blame Fred, too.”
“Good. Thanks. That helps.”
“Let’s go do this so we can get to tomorrow faster.”
With his hand on Will’s arm, Colton stopped his brother from walking away. “Nothing says we have to stay here all night.”
“What do you mean?”
“After everyone crashes, we could head down the hill and go find our girls.”
“Not planning to drink?”
“Not really in the mood. You?”
“Not so much.”
“So it’s a plan?”
Will smiled at him. “If they ever find out, they’ll call us pussy-whipped assholes for the rest of our lives.”
“I’m willing to risk it.”
Will fist-bumped his brother. “Me, too.”
CHAPTER 32
Cords of wood burned: 32. Without the reverse-osmosis machine, we would have needed five times as much wood. Granted, the reverse-osmosis machine uses a lot of fuel, but the overall fuel and cost savings are high. Bags of oranges eaten while boiling: 26.
—Colton Abbott’s sugaring journal, after the boil
Surrounded by most of his favorite men, Nolan settled in to enjoy his last hurrah as a single guy. While he couldn’t wait to be married to Hannah in one short week, a night away from it all with the guys was no hardship. He’d thought everyone who was coming had already arrived when two huge SUVs came into the yard and almost all of the Sultans came pouring out of the two trucks.
“What’s this we heard about a bachelor party?” Turk asked in the loud bellow that was his trademark. He had an unlit cigar hanging out of his mouth as he came toward them, followed by Jack, who had his guitar strung over his shoulder, then Austin, Ethan, Liam, Josh, Mark and Dylan—all of them Caleb Guthrie’s best friends. Over the years, Caleb’s friends from his years as an Army brat, college hockey star and later as an Army officer had merged with his childhood friends in Butler, including Nolan, Hunter and Will. No one had been more adept at blending all his friends into one big group he called the Sultans than Caleb.
“Oh my God,” Nolan said to himself more than anyone else. The guys had come from all over the country. He hadn’t expected to see them here. As close friends of both his and Hannah’s, they’d been invited to the wedding, but to have them here now, too, was almost more than Nolan could process.
He stood to receive their handshakes and man hugs. “What’re you guys doing here?”
“We came for the week,” Turk said. “Our brother Nolan is getting married to our patron saint Hannah. Where else would we be?”
Nolan shook his head in amazement. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“We wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Austin said with a squeeze for Nolan’s shoulder. “Now where’s the beer? We were promised beer!”
“We brought the Jäger,” Liam said, proudly producing a bottle from behind his back.
“Of course you did,” Nolan said, laughing. As the son of a drunk and a drug addict, he’d realized early on in life that it wasn’t in his best interest to drink the way a lot of his friends did. He enjoyed a beer or two. Sometimes, on nights like this, he might even have three. But you wouldn’t catch him anywhere near a bottle of Jägermeister.
“Good surprise?” Hunter asked when he joined Nolan.
“Amazing surprise. It’s very . . . humbling . . . to have Caleb’s crew here. I was wondering though . . . Is Gavin coming?” Nolan asked of Caleb’s brother, another of Nolan’s close friends from childhood.
“He’s supposed to be bringing his dad. I hope they get here soon. It’s almost time to eat.”
Hunter and the other Abbott brothers had been manning the grill for an hour now, cooking steaks and baked potatoes, the smell of which was apparently
enough to bring Fred strolling through their makeshift camp for a look-see.
“Holy shit,” Turk said, the cigar falling from his mouth as he backpedaled out of the way of the moose, knocking over his chair as he went. “Why’re you guys just sitting there? Do something.”
“That’s just Fred,” Landon said, taking a swig of his beer.
“He’s harmless,” Wade added as he threw another log on the fire.
“That thing is fucking huge,” Austin said, the other Sultans nodding in agreement while they kept a close watch on Fred.
When he’d satisfied his curiosity, Fred continued on his way.
“Jesus,” Turk said when he returned to his seat by the fire. “Took five freaking years off my life.”
Laughing at the Sultans’ reaction to Fred, Nolan said, “This is a pretty fancy bachelor party, Hunter.” He gestured to the steak on the grill. “Thanks for going all out.”
Hunter laughed. “Only you would think camping on the mountain was fancy.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do or any guys I’d rather do it with.” He held his bottle up to Hunter. “Thank you.”
Hunter touched his bottle to Nolan’s. “My pleasure. Enjoy yourself. It’s your big night.”
His big night. As Nolan looked around at the men who’d come from near and far to celebrate his upcoming wedding, he felt blessed beyond measure. After growing up without much family to speak of, the family he’d chosen for himself and the one he was marrying into had more than filled the void left by his absent parents. Still, he couldn’t help but wish the people who’d brought him into this world would care enough to see him marry the love of his life.
But that wasn’t going to happen, so he’d found contentment with what he had and didn’t spend much time wishing for things that would never be. His glass was way more than half full, especially now that he had a family of his own to look forward to with Hannah. On Monday they’d had an appointment to confirm what multiple pregnancy tests had already indicated—she was pregnant, and they were thrilled beyond measure.
Only because he was keeping half an eye on the hill did he see the sweep of headlights that preceded the arrival of Gavin Guthrie and his father, Bob. Honored that Gavin and his father had come, Nolan held back, giving them a chance to see the others first. Each of the Sultans greeted the Guthries with warm hugs and lots of laughter.
Nolan was deeply, profoundly thankful for the future he had planned with Hannah. But in that moment, he would’ve given up his own happiness and everything else he had to see Caleb Guthrie standing in the middle of this gathering he would’ve enjoyed so much.
Bob came over to Nolan and greeted him with a hug. “Congratulations to the groom-to-be.”
“Thank you, Bob. And thanks for being here.”
“Glad to be here. Gav had a last-minute crisis at work or we would’ve been here earlier.”
“You’re right in time for steak,” Hunter said, pressing a beer into Bob’s hand. The two of them headed toward the grill.
Gavin wandered over a few minutes later and shook hands with Nolan. He’d initially objected to Nolan’s relationship with Hannah but had since come around. Even knowing that Gavin’s objection came from a place of relentless grief over the loss of his brother, it had been hard for Nolan and Hannah to handle. The three of them were good now, but Nolan knew the idea of Hannah getting married again had to be tearing Gavin up inside. “Nice turnout you got here, pal,” Gavin said.
“It’s incredible. I had no idea the Sultans were coming.”
“You’re one of them. Where else would they be?”
“That’s what they said, too.”
“I haven’t been up here in years.” Gavin took a long look around at the familiar buildings that made up the Abbott family’s sugarhouse and Colton’s cabin. “Brings back a lot of memories. Remember all the nights we spent up here when we were kids?”
“Those were some good times. The best of times.”
“Yes, they were. I’m really happy for you, Nolan. For both of you. I hope you know that.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me, and I know it will to Hannah, too.”
“I’m ready for a beer. Can I get you one?”
“Sure, I’m due for another. Hey, Gav?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
Gavin’s smile didn’t light up his face the way it used to, but it was sincere nonetheless. “Wouldn’t have missed it.”
* * *
“The first time I came here, this road was full of potholes,” Cameron said as she drove down the long dirt lane that led to her and Will’s place. “Mud season.”
“Ah yes,” Lucy said. “Mud has a season in Vermont.”
“It’s one of Vermont’s many charms.”
“A year ago, if you’d told me you’d be living way out in the boonies espousing the charms of something called mud season, I would’ve laughed my ass off.”
“I would’ve been laughing right along with you.”
“Look at us now. In deep and getting deeper all the time with two brothers from Vermont.”
“You forgot sexy. Two sexy brothers from Vermont.”
“Sorry for the oversight. They are indeed sexy.”
“So you’re in deep, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t sound too happy about it.”
“I am happy. When we’re together.” Lucy blew out a deep breath. “It’s just, the rest of it . . .”
“I know, honey.” Cameron parked, turned off the car and reached over to squeeze Lucy’s arm. “Come in, see my new home, have a glass of wine, get comfy and we’ll talk it out.”
“Sounds good.” Lucy got out of the SUV and took a good look around at the gorgeous spot where Will had built the home he now shared with Cameron. “This is beautiful, Cam.”
“Isn’t it? I felt at home the first time Will brought me here, before we were even officially dating.”
Cameron released the dogs from the backseat and they took off toward the trees.
“Will they be okay?” Lucy asked as they disappeared from view.
“They’ll be back in a few minutes. It’s part of the routine.”
“You already have a routine here.”
“I do. It’s home.”
Carrying the backpack she’d brought to spend the night with Cam, Lucy walked into the cozy cabin. “This is fantastic.”
“Not much to it.” Cameron spread her arms. “Living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, loft up there where you’ll be staying. Everything we need, but no frills.”
“Is the bathroom inside the house?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Then compared to Colton’s place, this is the Ritz. Though both places have plenty to recommend them. It’s so quiet. Does that ever drive you crazy?” She dropped her backpack on a chair inside the door.
“Not at all. I thought I’d miss the action of the city, but I don’t. I’m so busy and engaged here that I don’t have time to miss New York. I miss you and my dad and everyone there, but the city itself? Not so much.”
“I like it here. I honestly do. But I don’t think I could ever really leave the city.”
Cameron opened a bottle of red and poured them both a glass. “It’s in your blood.”
“It wasn’t in yours?”
“Not the way Will is.” She leaned forward, elbows on the counter. “Talk to me, Luce. What’re you thinking?”
“The truth?”
“And nothing but.”
“I need to end this with Colton before I get in any deeper. There’s no way this can work long term with the two of us living so far apart, and the more time I spend with him, the harder it gets to think about leaving him.”
“If you end it with him, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering if you let the love of your life get away.”
“So which awful scenario is better—that or ending up a few months from now crushed and heartbr
oken when the whole thing blows up in our faces?”
“What if it doesn’t blow up? What if it works out perfectly? Here, there and anywhere the two of you are together?”
“How can it work perfectly when we don’t live in the same place?”
“You love him. He loves you. Why not have faith that it’s all going to be fine?”
“Because I’m far more convinced that it’s not going to be fine.”
“Will said Colton has never been this way with any girl. Ever.”
That news sent a happy jolt to Lucy’s heart. “What way?”
“Smitten, gaga, demonstrative. Obviously in love. I told him I’ve never seen you this way either.”
Lucy fiddled with the stem of her wineglass. “I want to be happy and enjoy it and say to hell with all the worries. I want to be that person, the one who can go along like it’s no big deal that we have this huge obstacle standing between us. But I’m not that person. I haven’t been her in a very long time.”
“Since your mom died and you had to grow up overnight and take care of everyone and everything.”
Lucy dropped her head to her folded arms.
Cameron came around the counter to rest her hand on Lucy’s back.
“I can’t let this crush me, Cam. I just can’t.”
“I understand. I don’t like it, but I get it. When will you tell him?”
“After the wedding.”
“That’s a week from now.”
“I know. I thought about telling him before we came here, but I’d already agreed to go to the wedding with him. And I wanted to see everyone again. One more time. At least until your wedding when I’ll have to see him again. I guess I’ll have to deal with that when it happens.”
“That and when Will and I have kids and other events and things I’ll want you here for. You’ll see a lot of him. Are you prepared to see him with someone else? Maybe even married to someone else?”
Tears rolled freely down Lucy’s face. “No, I’m not prepared for that. But hopefully I will be by the time it happens. It’s what he deserves. He should have someone who can be with him freely.”
“I want you to do something for me.”
Embarrassed by her emotional meltdown, Lucy wiped her face and tried to find her composure. “What?”
