“She”—I pause and my sister raises one eyebrow as she crosses her arms—“kissed me and then passed out.”
“I’m pretty sure your kiss is supposed to wake her up, not make her go to sleep.” She crinkles her nose. “That’s not how you satisfy a woman, Lake.”
I drag my hand down my face and then glare at her. “We’ll talk about this later, but,”—I shake the suitcase—“she was going to marry someone else today, Wren. I can’t?—”
“I know.” She presses a kiss to my cheek. “You’ll get your girl when it’s time.”
Her phone vibrates in her hand as her mouth forms a perfect O.
“What?” I ask, panic rising in my chest. “What is it?”
“I have to go. Her phone is in there,”—she points at the suitcase—“but I couldn’t find a charger so you’ll have to figure that out. Let me know if she needs anything else. Jesse took Oma home with dinner from the kitchen so she’s good for the night. We’ll take turns checking on her until Pen is up to it.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be back to collect, big brother.” I start to argue but she points her finger at me. “I’m sorry, areyoudealing with momzilla-in-law right now? Seriously, I almost feel bad for Carter.” She rolls her eyes when I make a face. “I feel bad for him having a mother like that, not because Pen ran faster than Julia Roberts back down the aisle.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Of course you don’t, but it doesn’t matter. I’m team Pen.”
“I’m leaving,” I say with a huff as I try to hide my smile.
“I love you.”
“Uh-huh,” I try with a wave over my shoulder.
“Say it!” she hisses. “Say it before I freeze my tits off out here.”
Wincing, I turn back to her. “That sounds painful.”
“Lake!”
“I love you too.”
She winks and hustles inside, the door closing with a soft click as I lug the suitcase into the backseat, the quiet settling around me. Glancing up at the Wintervale Resort, I sigh knowing this wasn’t Pen, and while I’m relieved she didn’t get married today, a part of me is sad that she wasn’t able to have the day she wanted.
I would marry her at the lodge on my parents’ land.
The thought has me smiling, and it’s one I hold on to all the way home.
5
PEN
Istretch against the soft bedding and groan as light trickles through the curtains. It’s impossible to tell what time it is, only that the sun is out.
And I’m not where I fell asleep.
The wood in here is beautiful, the heavy bed frame matching the beams and continuing the authentic log cabin feel. It’s a guest room, the sheets clean and fresh and holding none of the masculine scent that’s all Lake.
I’m both relieved and disappointed.
Mostly because I don’t remember being carried here in Lake’s strong arms. I’d hugged him countless times over the years, but I’d never been able to linger.
To hold him.
I’d gotten a taste last night, but it had been fleeting and mixed with the litany of emotions I hadn’t been able to process.
