1
“Mom! Hey, wake up!”
Lila’s consciousness fluttered back to the surface, her cheek lifting from the cool press of the kitchen table. “Hmm?” Her voice was groggy, fingers sweeping tiredness from her eyes as she tried to focus.
Camille stood resolute with her hands on her hips. “We need to hurry if we’re going to be on time for Reva’s ceremony. You promised an early appearance. What kind of a best friend are you if you miss helping her put on her wedding dress?” Her daughter turned towards the kitchen counter, decisive. “Let me handle the coffee. You head for a shower.”
With a weary nod, Lila closed her textbook and powered down her laptop. It had become a familiar scene—falling asleep amidst her studies, a reflection of her stretched-thin life balancing single motherhood, a full-time job, and her ambitious pursuit of a degree in veterinary medicine through the University of Colorado’s online program. With finals looming, she was on the cusp of finally getting her degree specializing in large animal and equine care, despite knowing it wouldn’t necessarily mean a higher income…not if she remained living in Thunder Mountain.
Her footsteps were heavy as she made her way to her bedroom, proof of the exhaustion that clung to her like a second skin. Despite everything, Lila fought to remember her value, a battle made all the harder by the overshadowing presence of her employer, Doc Tillman Strode, and the dated, oppressive atmosphere of his veterinary practice.
She pulled off yesterday’s shirt and tossed it onto the growing laundry pile before heading for the bathroom.
Lila stepped into the shower and activated the flow, stifling a gasp as the initial cold cascade touched her skin. Moments later, the stream warmed, and Lila closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of warmth soothing her shoulders.
Time was a precious commodity and seemed to pass more quickly with every year.
Her daughter was now in her senior year in high school. In the spring, she’d be graduating and had her heart set on attending school in Denver. Not any school, but an expensive private college. Even with the financial assistance they were lining up, the cost of attending Colorado College was choking.
Despite the financial strain, Lila couldn’t help but feel proud.
Seizing the shampoo bottle, she generously applied it to her hair, working it into a rich lather. As the foam enveloped her scalp, her mind wandered, contemplating the changes that inevitably lay ahead.
Soon Camille would move out and start her own life.
Her daughter aspired to a career in film and media studies, a path bolstered by Nick Thatcher’s endorsement and a summer job on his film crew in Jackson. Nick, a veteran of the Los Angeles film scene, had seen potential in Camille, steering her towards the stability of production work over the fleeting allure of acting fame—her original, and ill-sighted, career choice.
Camille had eventually set her sights on becoming an executive producer, a decision that made Lila smile amidst the steam of her shower. In her determination, Camille mirrored her father, Aaron Bellamy—a man never short on confidence.
She shut the water off and immediately heard Camille’s voice again. “I’ve left your coffee by the sink and laid out your dress on the bed. I’ll be downstairs packing up the car.”
Stepping out of the shower, Lila marveled at the swift role reversal between them. It seemed only yesterday she was coaxing a younger Camille out of bed for school. Now, her daughter was the one ensuring they stayed on track, a poignant reminder of the swift passage of time and the growth her daughter had undergone.
An hour later, as Lila and Camille arrived at Moose Chapel, the parking lot was already filling. They spotted Charlie Grace’s pickup and Capri’s jeep among the vehicles, with Reva’s black Escalade standing out across the way.
“Ready, Mom?” Camille inquired, turning to Lila as the car came to a halt.
A moment of hesitation. “Head inside, I’ll follow shortly,” Lila responded, her voice betraying a hint of unease.
Camille’s expression clouded with puzzled concern. “What’s up? Are you sure?”
Lila offered a reassuring nod. “Yes, just need a moment. I’ll be right there.”
With a lingering look of bewilderment, Camille exited the car and made her way into the chapel.
Alone now, Lila took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to gather her thoughts.
Grief was sneaky. The emotions could sneak up on you out of nowhere…even all these years later.
Lila glanced around at the familiar scene before her. The rustic log Moose Chapel sat on a rise just within the southern entrance of Grand Teton National Park. A large window behind its altar framed the magnificent beauty ofthe Teton Mountain Range.It had become a favorite spot for photographers, sightseers, and weddings—and was the place she and everyone in Thunder Mountain gathered on Sunday for worship.
Now, on the morning of Reva’s big day, Lila found herself inevitably drawn back to the memory of her own wedding at Moose Chapel.
It was a Saturday, and she was barely twenty years old. She wore a simple V-neck chiffon dress that gracefully swept the floor and cleverly concealed the white cowboy boots she had chosen for the occasion, a whimsical yet heartfelt nod to the matching pair Aaron wore as he awaited her at the altar with the view of the majestic Teton Mountains in the background. His hands were neatly clasped, his posture a blend of anticipation and reverence for the moment unfolding before him. And there, playing upon his lips, was the familiar, endearing grin that she had come to adore.
Lila swallowed the lump in her throat. They thought they had their entire lives ahead to live out their dreams.
And when they found out about the pregnancy, their joy was unmatched. They were creating a life together, a testament to the love they shared.
