the ceremony. She didnât belong here. The connections in her life didnât run deep. Even the ones that scratched the surfaceâÂher friends from medical school, her colleagues in New York, her mentorâÂnone of those relationships had roots in this town.
Sheâd grown up with these Âpeople but didnât recognize them. Sheâd planned to march into town, her look-Âyou-Âwere-Âwrong-Âabout-Âme attitude in place. But so far no one remembered her.
The anonymity left her unsettled. And wondering if sheâd given her past and this place too much weight.
The bride appeared, her smile wide and her brown eyes brimming with excitement. Georgia moved with slow, measured steps as if it took all of her self-Ârestraint not to race to the arbor and greet her groom. The simple ivory strapless dress flowed effortlessly around her. It was a classic, elegant choice, apart from the black lace sash wrapped around her waist. The sash, a modern twist that set the gown apart, formed a big bow at the back.
Watching this woman, a virtual stranger whoâd fought in a war, survived, and struggled with the aftereffects, head for her groom, the number of Âpeople present faded into the background and emotion took over. And so what if they didnât remember her? This was Georgiaâs moment.
âEric, it feels like Iâve loved you forever,â the bride said, beaming up at her groom. âAnd then I fell head first in love with you. I trust you to always see me and believe in me. And I promise to do the same for you. I can fight the scary bears alone, Eric. But together, as a familyâÂâ The bride stole a quick glance at the ring bearer.
âNate is Ericâs nephew,â Brody explained in a low voice. âHe took the kid in after his parents died.â
Katâs gaze snapped to the little boy as an imaginary band squeezed her heart. Joy chased the rush of pain she felt for his loss. He wasnât alone. The child had lost so much, yet gained these Âpeople, who were openly declaring their love for one another.
âTogether as a family,â Georgia continued. âWeâll fight the scary bears.â
Eric reached out and took her hand. âAlways, Georgia. Always.â
The ring bearer gave a solemn nod.
âMy turn?â Eric said. And then without waiting for confirmation, he began: âIâll keep this short because Iâm dying to kiss my beautiful bride.â
The audience laughed and Nate scrunched up his nose.
âI always try to do the right thing, make the right choices. And loving you, Georgia? Standing by your side, taking care of you no matter what life throws our way, nothing has ever felt so right. I promise to love you for the rest of my life, trusting in you, believing in you. Iâm going to do whatever it takes to make you happy. Always.â
HappinessâÂlooking at the bride and groom, Kat believed it was possible. But it had often felt out of place amid these mountains. Still, she had changed, and so had Independence Falls. She didnât have to spend her time here revisiting the unwanted feelings that had descended on her swift and fierce outside the Falls Hotel. She could find new ones, bury the long-Âheld hurts.
And she could choose to spend her brief time here with the football star whoâd offered a helping hand once upon a time. Brody Summers was one of the best things this town had to offer, then and certainly now that heâd matured into a man who knew how to use his sinfully perfect body to deliver the worldâs best orgasms.
Judging from the way heâd pulled over and handed back her panties, he wanted her too.
âBrody,â she whispered as the groom kissed his beautiful bride. âDo you dance?â
âItâs been a while,â he admitted, his gaze fixed on the happy Âcouple.
âI think you proved last night that lack of practice doesnât