One Bride for Five Mountain Men

“I’m all set!” she announces.

Kill stands up, shrugging at me. “Then I guess we’re all set. Are you ready too, Mama?”

“I was born ready,” I quip, lowering the goggles over my eyes. My heart begins to race again, just like it always does when I’m about to go over this hill. I love this trail, though I don’t attempt the side trails, of course. But ever since the first time I’ve seen it, I’ve appreciated its uninterrupted, grand slope. It is a beautiful, impressive work of nature.

The five of us head down the slope, and I pull ahead, sure that Liam and Kill will keep an eye on our kids. That’s one of the wonderful things about having five dads around: everybody can share the work. I feel confident that we have the safest, most well-loved children anywhere.

The wind whips past me as I serpentine down the hill, loving the carefree, exhilarating sense of having this beautiful world at my feet. As I near the bottom, I can see Jake and Carty waving to me, and I angle my skis in their direction. Glancing over my shoulder, I see that the twins have everything under control too.

“Wow, your skiing has really improved,” Jake remarks when I swish to a stop, impressively spraying snow over the snowmobiles. He bends down to help me out of my skis and when he stands, dives in first for a sweet, tender kiss. My lips are half frozen, but instantly warmed by his touch.

“Yeah, well, I’ve had a lot more time to practice,” I answer defensively. “Everything doesn’t come naturally to me like it does to you, Jake. You should count yourself lucky that you’re so gifted.”

He slides a hand around my waist and lifts me off my feet, easily picking me up, just like he always likes to do.

“You should count yourself lucky that I am so gifted too!” he quips. “Seems to work out pretty well for all of us.”

I kick my feet and pretend to be struggling, but of course I love it. He only sets me down when Eli and Bella are within reach, then he scoops each of them up for a affectionate hug and playful tease.

“Do you want go up again?” Carty asks. “Looks like you have time for another run before the sun goes down.”

“No, not today,” I sigh. “Why don’t we just ride on home? I think the kids are just about tuckered out.”

“No, Mom!” Eli objects. “Just once more? Please?”

“Gotta do what Mom says,” Liam shrugs sympathetically. “She’s the boss.”

“Fine,” Eli acquiesces. Like a proper gentleman, he takes his sister’s ski poles over to the ATV and clips them to the side.

“Are you feeling okay?” Jake asks, concerned. He’s always looking out for me.

“Well… to be honest, I thought that we might want to spend some time in Sacramento. What you think about that?”

Jake takes my skis and secures them in the rack, frowning thoughtfully.

“Well, sure, Lola. Any particular reason?”

“I think we have a movie premiere to go to,” I smile, winking. “Do you think your tuxedo still fits?”

“What are we talking about?” Carty asks as he comes over.

“Your big-screen debut, little brother!” Jake laughs, clapping him on the shoulder.

Carty rolls his eyes. “Oh my God… no. Is that happening already?”

“Yes. You know you couldn’t avoid it forever,” I scold him. “So is that okay? We can go to Sacramento for a while? We have to go for Nance’s wedding anyway.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s bound to be entertaining,” Liam observes wryly.

“Hey, are we going to get on the road or what?” Timothy asks, getting out of the ATV and coming around the side.

“Yeah, think you can get us all back to Sacramento by next week?” Jake calls out.

Timothy gives him a thumbs up. “You bet!” he grins.

“Sounds like a plan,” Jake confirms.

I smile at all of them, pleased at how this came together. While it’s true that the movie premiere is coming up, and Nance finally did find somebody to crack open the hard shell on her heart, I have a couple of other reasons too. I don’t want to be stuck on the mountain, not for too long.