“That’s really nice.”
“How about you? Any traditions?”
“No,” she said quietly.
He hated hearing the sorrow in her voice. “Well then, I officially pass to you the tradition of kissing the last page of books. You can share it with Ava, and it will grow from there.”
She squeezed him. Pressed her soft lips to the side of his neck. “Thank you. I will.”
A minute of comfortable quiet later, they arrived at the barn to find Hunter grinning from ear to ear at their appearance. “Good morning, lovebirds,” his pesky brother said. “How was the campout?”
“It was great,” Kennedy said, thankfully ignoring the “lovebirds” comment. She hopped off Magnolia without Maverick’s help.
Maverick dismounted and shot his brother a warning look.
“Really? My brother didn’t bore you to death with his motormouth?” Hunt slapped his hand on his thigh and barely stopped himself from cracking up.
Kennedy waltzed past him, a skip in her step. “Your brother has much better things to do with his mouth than talk,” she tossed over her shoulder. “See you later, Mav.”
Hunter flashed a proud, albeit slightly surprised grin. “I knew you had it in you, big brother.” He lifted his palm for a high five.
“I am not high-fiving you,” he said. “Let’s get to work.”
“Wait. I need details.”
“When have I ever given you details?” He rubbed Magnolia’s neck, then closed the gate on her stall.
“Exactly. Today’s a good time to start. I’ll tell you all about my night, too. You go first.”
“Hunt, I’m not saying anything, but I’m happy to hear about you.”
“Damn it, Mav. You need to get it off your chest.”
He stopped walking in the doorway of the barn. “What are you talking about?”
“I know what tomorrow is—we all remember the day. And with Kennedy here, that’s got to change things for you.”
“It doesn’t change anything.”
“But—”
“But nothing. I’m going to the city like I always do. Alone,” he added at the altruistic look on Hunt’s face. “And whatever you think is happening between Kennedy and me, stop. She’ll be gone in two days, and she won’t be back.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because she doesn’t live here.”
Hunter crossed his arms over his chest. “You could invite her.”
“We both know I won’t.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. If you get all the crap you’ve been accumulating the past few years off your chest, then you can move forward.” He put a hand on Maverick’s shoulder. “I want you to be happy again, and from what I can tell, Kennedy makes you happy.”
Maverick knew his brother had only good intentions, but he was in no mood for brotherly love at the moment. “Let it be,” he said firmly.
Hunt dropped his arm, shook his head. “Just tell me one thing. Do you feel something more for her?”
“Yes,” he answered instantaneously. He couldn’t help himself.
“Good. Then there’s hope for you yet.”
His brother made life seem so easy. Hunter’s worst problem was a case of unrequited infatuation—he’d never watched the woman he loved take her last breath after suffering through an incurable disease. Those last few months with Nicole were awful and gut-wrenching and Maverick never wanted to go through that again.
And now he’d reconnected with a woman who had beaten death twice, once as a newborn and then as a teenager. What if that wasn’t the end of it? What if Kennedy got sick again?
Even if they were on the same path, he couldn’t afford the risk.
…
Kennedy sat on the bench where she’d told Maverick about Hugo and her own life-saving surgery at fourteen. Big, beautiful trees provided shade from the late morning sun, and a warm breeze carried the scent of jasmine. She watched in the distance as Leah and others added more flowers to the gazebo and set up a white-carpet aisle for Elle to walk down. Other employees were setting up folding chairs. Still others were assembling round dining tables and a dance floor under a large white tent.
She lightly ran her finger over her bottom lip, remembering every sensation Maverick’s touch had elicited. Last night had been unforgettable, and she couldn’t wait to see him again. Her body heated at the mere thought of the quiet intensity in his blue eyes and the skill with which he used his body. With each passing day, the awareness between them sizzled brighter and the tight leash he held on his emotions diminished.
The animosity between them had finally fizzled out.
“Hey.”
Kennedy looked up at Reed, quickly placing thoughts of Maverick in the back of her mind to bring out later. “Hi. Thanks for meeting me.”
He sat down next to her. “I’m pretty sure our texts crossed at the same time.”
“Great minds…”
“Yeah.” He tapped his elbow to hers. “I owe you an apology and my gratitude.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“Calling you like I did. I was having doubts about getting married and your nature is to immediately jump in and save people. Subconsciously, I knew you’d rescue me if I needed it, when what I should have done is talked to Elle.”
“You’ve talked now, I take it.”
“We cleared the air last night, and we’re more solid than we’ve ever been.”
“I’m so happy to hear that.”
“It’s in large part thanks to you. I’m glad the two of you had a chance to talk.”
“I am, too. She loves you a lot, and from the glimpses I’ve gotten of the two of you together, you feel the same way, even with your temporary doubts.”
“I do. She makes my life better, and I’d be lost without her.”
“Looks like my work here is done.” Kennedy smiled at him.
“It was pretty awesome of you to come all this way ready to do whatever I needed.”
“You’d do the same for me.”
“I don’t know,” he teased. “I think you better promise you won’t call me drunk from your bachelorette party.”
She laughed. She’d never given much thought to her own wedding. But now…she could see herself having something small and intimate. “I promise.”