Page 2 of Dare To Marry You
I think — at least, I hope — he’s going to be okay when the day comes. We’ve talked about it a bit, and I know he’s working with his therapist Audrey on coping strategies. But as the date draws near, his tension becomes more apparent.
The elopement idea that came up earlier this week and again this morning is just one more manifestation of his nerves.
“I can’t wait,” I answer Abby honestly. “There’s nothing I want more than to be married to this man.” Resting my head on Hunter’s shoulder, I feel some of the tension leave his body. He turns, kissing my head again.
Clearing his throat, he chimes in. “Yeah. Can’t wait.”
The words are genuine, I know that. But I can’t help the small pang of disappointment that he’s so reserved in his response.
After chatting about some details with Abby for a few more minutes, we head outside to the barn so we can see it set up for a wedding they have this weekend.
“I don’t envy this couple their weather,” I say with a shiver as we duck inside the thankfully heated barn.
“Yeah, the bride is not thrilled about the forecast, that’s for sure. You’ll be good, though. Hopefully it’ll be nice and snowy!” Abby says cheerfully.
Hunter remains silent as we wander around the open space, taking in the layout of chairs with a simple aisle down the middle. Even as I discuss decor options with Abby, my awareness is still partially on my man. Which is why, when he answers a phone call, I see the moment his eyebrows raise in surprise. I stop midsentence in my description to Abby of the farmhouse chic wedding style I’m hoping to achieve.
“Hunter?” I ask when he pockets his phone again. “Is everything okay?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Abby take a few steps back, and hear her quietly murmur that she’s going to check on the baby. After she closes the barn door behind her, I look at Hunter. His eyes are downcast, and the corner of his lower lip is trapped between his teeth.
“Talk to me, please,” I ask quietly.
Letting out a long exhale, he closes the distance between us in two strides and gathers me into his arms, crushing me to his chest. “Sorry, Kitty Kat. Everything’s fine, that was just Leo letting me know the course on major crimes investigation I signed up for just changed the dates because of enrollment.”
I lean back slightly so I can look up at him. “To when?”
This course is something Hunter and my cousin Leo decided would be a good thing for his career. It means he has to spend two weeks on the mainland, which was no big deal when we thought he’d be doing it in the spring.
He winces. “Instead of it running in February, I have to leave on December fourth.”
Now it’s my turn to let out a long breath. “Okay, well…” I trail off. Because this sucks. Hunter’s job is important, don’t get me wrong. But for him to be gone the weeks leading up to our wedding is less than ideal, to say the least.
“I’m sorry, Kitty Kat, I’ll tell Leo I have to back out. There will be another session offered in the summer.”
Indecision wars with disappointment in his voice. A big part of me wants to accept his offer and tell him not to go. I want to be selfish and have my fiancé here with me in the final stretch before we get married. But that wouldn’t be right. He’s always supported me in my career. Heck, just this past fall, I did an internship in a remote community at the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island for almost a month, and Hunter is the one who encouraged me to go.
For me to ask him to give up this opportunity would be completely unfair.
“No, you should go. You’ll be back in time for any last-minute things, and this course is important. The timing is pretty crappy, but we’re going to have a lifetime together. I can give up a couple of weeks.”
Hunter drops his forehead to meet mine. “You’re way too good to me, Kat Donnelly.”
Tilting my chin up, I meet his lips with mine. “No, we’re perfect for each other, Hunter Callaghan.”
“Fucking right,” he growls, deepening the kiss. His hands find their way to my ass and he squeezes firmly.
The sound of a knock echoing through the barn breaks us apart, and I take in the glassy look to Hunter’s eyes. It clears quickly, and the man I love, the man secure in that love, looks back at me with a lopsided grin.
“Love you,” he murmurs, kissing me briefly again. Then he takes my hand and turns to Abby, who’s sliding back into the barn. “Hey, Abby, sorry about that. So what other decisions do we need to make today? I want to get as much figured as I can, since I just found out I have to leave on a work trip on Sunday, and I’ll be gone until the fifteenth.” He squeezes my hand, infusing me with comfort and love.
Abby’s gaze darts between us, her brows raised in surprise. “That’s unlucky timing, but honestly, you two are good. Kat’s got a clear vision for decor, and as long as you agree with it, we can have everything ready. Besides, we can totally handle any last-minute stuff when you’re back.”
Hunter nods once. “Whatever she wants, I know I’ll love it.” He turns slightly to look down at me. “Hey, this way, maybe it’ll be a cool surprise for me on the day, to see how it all turns out.”
He’s searching for silver linings, and I love him for trying to see the good in any situation. That’s the biggest sign of the work he’s putting in to his mental health. Smiling up at him, I rest a hand against his cheek to reassure him I’m okay.
“I promise it’ll be perfect.”
