Forever Wild (Wild 2.50)

“If you’re sure.”

“That we can’t have Simon’s world-famous, English-style eggs-and-bacon breakfast without eggs?” I head for the coat hooks and slip on my winter jacket. “Besides, I have to drop off Roy’s Christmas gifts to him.”

“You want me to come with you?” Jonah offers.

I can’t tell if he’s offering because he wants to get away from all the wedding pressure or because he knows I’m nervous about Roy. Either way, it’s best if I approach the curmudgeon on my own. “I’m good.”

I’m tugging on my winter hat when the side door creaks open and Muriel plows through, stomping her heavy boots on the doormat. She must have driven her truck in because I didn’t hear an engine approach.

“Morning, all!” She saunters in, bringing a draft of cold air with her.

I make quick introductions.

“Oh, I’ve heard plenty about all of you. Your kids have been counting down the days to have you here.” Muriel’s shrewd gaze halts on the gingerbread house displayed in the middle of the dining table. “Would you look at that.” She marches over to get a closer view, leaving snowy footprints across the floor. We’ve had words about her bad habit of tracking mud and snow across our hardwood floors. She’s gotten better about it. Most of the time. “Calla said you were busy baking the other day, Astrid?”

Astrid smiles. “Yes. It is a passion of mine.”

“Too bad we didn’t have that for the auction, right?” I step into my boots.

“I don’t know. I think people’d feel guilty eatin’ this thing.” After another appraising look, Muriel shifts her attention back to me. “Where you off to?”

“Roy’s. We ran out of eggs and Simon’s cooking breakfast.”

“And you are more than welcome to join us,” Simon offers cordially.

Muriel waves him off. “That’s kind of you, but I ate hours ago. I can’t stay. I just wanted to bring this moose roast over.” She holds up the bulky, butcher-paper-wrapped package from under her arm. “Figured you folks probably don’t get moose too often and you might enjoy it one night for dinner.”

Jonah’s all smiles as he retrieves it from her. “You know I will. Thanks.”

Muriel dips her head. “That’s what neighbors do, isn’t it? We take care of each other.”

Astrid smiles warmly, watching the exchange. “Did you get that during this year’s hunt, Muriel?”

“Me? No. I don’t go moose hunting much anymore. Not since …” Her voice trails with her stern frown, and I know she’s thinking about her missing son. “No, this is from my cousin Eddie. He must have put his name in that lottery ten … fifteen years ago. I told him he’d never get the call but a couple weeks ago, he got the call and made a liar out of me. A fourteen-hundred-pound bull!” She shakes her head. “How that driver walked away from that wreck, I’ll never know.”

My mother frowns at the package in Jonah’s hand. “What do you mean? Is that—”

“Roadkill. We don’t waste good meat in Alaska. It all tastes the same. Don’t matter if it’s a bullet or a grill that took it down, does it?” If Muriel notices the disgust flitter across my mother’s face, she ignores it, turning her attention to me. “I heard you want Teddy to perform your wedding ceremony. Now, he’s more than happy to do it, no problem there, but if you want it done a hundred percent legal, you need to get down to the courthouse to apply for the marriage license today, because they make you wait three business days before they’ll issue it.”

I’m momentarily stunned. I didn’t expect to be blindsided like this. “I didn’t—”

“And with Christmas, everything’s going to be all messed up. ’Course, you can go through the motions while everyone’s here and then he’ll sign the license after the fact, if you can’t get it before they all have to fly home.”

I’m going to kill Toby.

“Calla? What on earth is she talking about?”

I face my wide-eyed mother who looks like she blinked and suddenly found herself in a stranger’s house. On another planet. “There was a suggestion made that we get married while you’re all here, to make it easier on everyone.”

“But you’re not considering it, are you?” Her jaw drops. “Oh my God, you’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

“Hell, I wish.” Jonah barks with laughter.

“Jonah!” Astrid admonishes softly, but her lips curl with a smile as if she’s struggling to hide her amusement.

“But you can’t get married before we leave. That’s … that’s … absurd. I mean, where will I find flowers for your bouquet? And a dress! In a week? Good luck! And what about the venue?”

“Already checked and the community center is available,” Muriel chirps, thinking she’s being helpful. “You could reuse all the decorations from Saturday night, too. I’ll tell Jamie to leave it up.”