I chuckled. “She has been bragging all week about Papa taking her camping.”
“It was genius of Ozzie to think up activities for the three days so she doesn’t miss us much.” He tilted his head, cupped my cheek, and pressed his lips to mine. “Did Carter call you?”
“He sent a text. Said our gift will be here by the time we get back from our honeymoon.”
“Speaking of honeymoon, we should go. It’s a long drive ahead of us.”
We slipped back down the stairs hand in hand. Outside, the whole town, who’d joined in the wedding reception, still waited—neighbors, friends, folks I hadn’t realized cared enough to stay this late. They lined the yard under strings of twinkle lights, waving sparklers and mason jars of cider, cheering us on. The handmade Just Married sign bounced against the tailgate of the pickup parked in the drive.
Hudson gave a low whistle. “This feels surreal. Never thought I’d belong anywhere like I do in this town.”
Hudson and I thanked everyone for celebrating with us. Applause swelled as we made our way through the crowd. Mom kissed my cheek, Dad clasped my shoulder, Ozzie and Gertie cried, Lawson and Opie hooted, and Rowan, of course, fanned his face like he’d faint if we didn’t hurry up and leave. An unfamiliar older man stood next to him.
“When did he get here?” Hudson muttered. “I thought I told him not to come.”
My protective instincts immediately kicked in, and I held on to Hudson. “Who is he?”
“My brother.”
“Your brother?”
“We’ll talk about it in the truck.”
I left it alone for now and opened the door to the driver’s side of the brand-new truck for Hudson. “You want me to drive?”
“Yup.”
I got into the passenger’s seat, relishing the way he ran his hands over the polished dashboard. He gave a low whistle. “Damn, this is a sweet ride.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s yours.”
He turned his head, suspicion narrowing his eyes. “What?”
“It’s yours. You’ve been driving mine around long enough. I figured my husband deserves his own truck. So I got you one.”
He sat there blinking, as if the words didn’t compute. Then he sputtered, shifting into gear. “Matty, I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “Because I know exactly what I want.”
His eyes narrowed at the road ahead, lantern glow fading in the rearview. “You were gonna get it later anyway.”
“Then it’s perfect.”
“You’re so easy,” he muttered, but I caught the twitch of his mouth, the way he looked at me like maybe he couldn’t believe this was real.
We drove in silence for a while, the road stretching darkand familiar under the stars. I glanced at him. “So. How does it feel to be a Magnuson?”
His exhale was long, like he’d been waiting for me to ask. “Didn’t think it would feel different. But it does.” His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “It already feels…steady. Like calm. And with the whole damn town cheering us off? That’s something else, Matt. Never had people rally behind me like that before.”
I reached over and laced our fingers together. “Get used to it. You’re one of us now, and you’re exclusively mine.”
He didn’t answer but placed our joined hands on his thigh.
“Speaking of mine,” he said after a pause, “why a ghost town? That’s where you’re taking me for a honeymoon? You had the whole world to choose from.”
“It’s beautiful there. Hot springs, hiking trails, cabins with copper tubs, stars brighter than you’ve ever seen. I did my research.”
He lifted his brows, teasing. “Such a Matty thing to do.”
