“Callie, are you sure-”
She shook her head, smiling. It was a beautiful smile, one that finally reached her eyes. “I’m not sure, but what the hell. I might as well give it a try. It can’t be any worse than what I’m doing already. The life I was living already.”
“I would hope not.” He rolled his eyes.
Her hands came up and rested on his shoulders. She blinked hard before her eyes rested on his lips. “Then kiss me already, and let’s see if we can make this thing work.”
Matt grinned. “I never thought I’d hear you say that. Really. But now that you have…”
Callie stood on her tiptoes and didn’t let him finish before she dragged his face down and covered her mouth with his. He might not have been sure, from just words alone, but he could tell in her kiss, a kiss that thawed the parts of him that he didn’t even know were iced over, a kiss that held healing and promise, that she wanted him. He wanted her and that feeling he had from their first kiss, that it was right or that it was meant to be, or whatever that feeling was, it sure as hell felt like it was going to stick around.
EPILOGUE
Matt
“Well, my love, did you ever think we’d get there?” Matt indicated the rustic log cabin right in front of them. The trees gave way and it seemed to come out of nowhere. It was homey and inviting, with smoke rising from the stone chimney on the side. The lights were on, shining like beacons in the darkness.
“I had my doubts at some points,” Callie admitted. She giggled. “This is just about the nicest honeymoon I could ever have imagined. The pictures don’t do it justice.”
“No, they don’t. It’s all ready for us, by the looks of it.”
“Then we should go in.” Callie slipped her hand through his and squeezed gently.
He almost turned back to the truck to say they should get their bags, but he figured they could wait. He didn’t need luggage or anything else, for what he had planned. He certainly didn’t need extra damn clothes, and Callie had packed a lot of those.
“Shouldn’t we get the bags?” Callie read his mind.
“Never.” He breathed in a huge breath of fresh air. Despite the fact that they were only an hour out of Denver, they might as well have been in the middle of nowhere. The cabin had a remote feeling. It was peaceful and quiet, as if they were the only people left on earth.
“You mean after.” Callie’s smile grew as she looked up at him. She read his mind again. There was no way she couldn’t. He’d pawed at her, on and off, the entire drive.
“I mean after. Although, that could take all night. And hopefully all of the next day. And the next.”
“Oh really? You think so?” Callie giggled. “I think that I want to be able to walk. Part of the reason we picked this place was so that we could do some exploring and hiking. I wanted to see some real nature.”
“I had no idea.” Matt grinned when Callie took a swing at him. She hit him lightly in the bicep.
“You are the most impossible husband in the world.”
“I like the sound of that. Say it again.”
“Impossible?”
“No. Husband.”
“Husband.” Callie’s eyes sparkled. Her cheeks were flushed, and it was more than just the effects of the fresh air.
“Wife. I like that. It might have been a long, exhausting day, but I guess it was worth it.”
Callie moved her hands to her hips. She skewered him with a sharp glare. “You guess? You guess? It better have been worth it!”
“Of course it was.” Matt grabbed Callie by the waist and swung her in against him. “You were the most beautiful bride in the entire world.”
“Honestly, I’m glad it’s over. It was a lot of planning and this and that and I’m exhausted. I was more than ready to make our escape.”
“Good thing I had the bags packed and the truck waiting. I’ll be your getaway car any day.”
“Next time, I’m just going to do a simple backyard ceremony…”
“Next time!” Matt scoffed.
It was Callie’s turn to grin. “I’m just kidding. There isn’t going to be a next time unless we do a vow renewal. You’re it for me, Matthew Hilbert. I love you. I am always going to love you. You are patient and kind and amazing. The best man in the entire world.”
“I thought we were done with the vows and speeches.”
“Dick.”
“What about it? Are you finally ready to go in that cabin and let me make you my wife? Truly? For the entire night?”
The darkness couldn’t hide the blush that rose on Callie’s cheeks. She looked so pretty, her hair and makeup still immaculate from their wedding. She wore her getaway outfit, a loose-fitting black dress. She’d thrown his suit jacket overtop to keep her warm.