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  “Almost two years,” Nick said, unsure of what to say or do. He couldn’t gauge how she felt. She just looked blank. True the guy had sent her into hiding, but she’d also cared enough about him at one point to be engaged to him. Nick was a little out of his emotional depth here.

  Gus began to shake. “He’s dead. I never have to be afraid of him again.”

  Nick wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close, offering whatever comfort and strength he could. “No. He’s permanently gone.”

  “I never looked. I tried not to even think about his name so I never looked,” she said against his chest. He smoothed his hand over her hair.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m so relieved I could cry and that’s just wrong to feel good about someone being dead.”

  “No. No, it’s not wrong at all to feel that way when you consider what he took from you and put you through. You had to give up a life you loved and start all over. Don’t waste even a second feeling guilty.”

  “I know it’s late but I need to tell Merrilee and Bull. They’ve been through this with me and I want them to know. You don’t have to, but I’d like for you to be there when I tell them. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know. I might have never known.”

  “I’d be honored to go with you.”

  Gus glanced at his laptop. “Would you mind bringing that, too? I want her to actually see it and read it.”

  “I understand.” And he did. There was an inherent confirmation in the written word. He scooped up his computer. “Let’s go.”

  GUS DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO FEEL. Troy was no longer a threat. She’d lived in his shadow for so long, she hadn’t even realized how heavy the weight had been.

  “You okay?” Nick asked yet again.

  How had a man as thoughtful and great as him stumbled into her life?

  “I’m better than okay. I’m just still trying to absorb it all,” she said. Gus opened the door and they crossed into the airstrip office. Upstairs Merrilee and Bull were obviously moving around. She’d called Merrilee. Luckily Bull was over spending the night and Gus had asked them to meet her and Nick downstairs.

  “Why don’t you set your laptop up on Merrilee’s desk?” Gus said.

  Nick had just finished when the older couple came downstairs—Merrilee with a lace-trimmed flannel robe knotted at her waist and Bull in jeans and a flannel shirt but barefooted.

  “Come look at this,” Gus said without any preface.

  Merrilee took one look at the headline, cut her gaze to Gus, then back at the computer screen and promptly burst into tears. She enveloped Gus in her arms, squeezing her tight.

  “That’s the best damn news I’ve heard in a long time,” Bull said.

  Merrilee released Gus and wiped at her eyes with the edge of her robe. “I second that.” She moved over to the computer screen and bent down. “I need to read this. I know you shouldn’t be happy to hear that someone has passed but I’m beyond happy.”

  “I told Gus she shouldn’t feel guilty about feeling that way.” It was the first thing Nick had said since Merrilee and Bull had entered the room.

  “You were obviously behind this. Let me just say I’m damn glad you showed up in Good Riddance,” Bull said.

  Merrilee straightened. “I second that, too. I owe you an apology.”

  Nick shook his dark head. “No, you don’t. You didn’t know me and you wanted to protect Gus. No apology necessary.”

  “You set her free,” Merrilee said softly. “If you hadn’t shown up…” She trailed off, shaking her head.

  “That’s the same thing I said,” Gus said. “If Nick hadn’t shown up then I might have never known. I was never going to go out looking for him.”

  “Me, either,” said Merrilee, “’cause just thinking about him made my skin crawl.”

  “Well, I have to admit the internet might actually be good for something after all,” Bull said.

  “Lost at sea,” Merrilee said and then harrumphed. “I bet someone pushed his sorry ass overboard.”

  “Actually, they think his new bride did but they could never prove it. When Gus told me his name I thought it was the same guy but I wanted to confirm it. There was a big stink.”

  Gus’s stomach clenched to think what the other woman must have gone through to drive her to push Troy overboard. “I hope she’s happy now.”

  “Ya know what? She’s free, the same as you are, so I’m sure she’s happy…or at least happier than she was with him,” Merrilee said.

  Yes, she was free. It was a heady, heady feeling. And suddenly it seemed as if she was so light she could sprout wings and fly. She felt as if she could smile all night. And speaking of all night…

  “I’m sorry I got you out of bed but I didn’t think it could wait until the morning.”

  “Are you kidding? I would’ve been upset with you if you hadn’t gotten us up to tell us this. In fact, do you have any champagne next door?”

  “It’s seldom called for but I always keep a bottle cold.” Perhaps it was macabre to toast another person’s demise but that was precisely what they were going to do. “C’mon, let’s go.”

  She was free.

  13

  MERRILEE LAY IN THE BED and watched the digital clock, wide-awake. Beside her, Bull snored quietly, his sleep clearly uninterrupted by rumination. The Chrismoose festival had ended the day before and all the visitors had cleared out of town. In a few minutes it would be Christmas day. Things were back to normal, yet they weren’t.

  She had never seen Gus so happy. Merrilee hadn’t truly understood what a dark cloud the girl had lived under until news of Troy’s death had lifted it. And she suspected Nick’s presence in Gus’s life might have a little something to do with her constant smile these days. She hoped Gus would find the kind of happiness with Nick that Merrilee had found with Bull now that Gus was free of Troy’s control, just as Merrilee was free of Tad’s control.

  She issued a quick, silent prayer of thanks for her blessings and for Bull in particular. He had been the greatest blessing in her life. She’d bought him a new whittling knife that was now wrapped and sitting under the tree. She thought he’d like it. It wasn’t that he particularly needed a new knife but this year she’d really struggled with what to give him for Christmas.

  She knew what he really wanted. His words, “I get to call you my wife” had replayed in her head a thousand times since he’d uttered them. She truly, deeply loved the man beside her but Tad had so soured her on marriage….

  It wasn’t as if a lightning bolt struck her. Rather, her realization actually came to her quietly. She was all kinds of a fool. Tad was still controlling her. He continued to run her life, influencing her decisions, primarily her decision not to marry Bull.

  She sat up in bed and gathered her courage. It was 12:02 a.m. Christmas Day. She reached over and shook Bull’s shoulder. Nothing. The man slept like the dead. She shook harder. “Bull. Wake up.”

  He sat up, shaking his head. “Huh? What it is? What’s going on?”

  She pointed to the clock on the dresser. “It’s Christmas Day.”

  “It’s also just after midnight.”

  “I wanted to give you your present.”

  “Merrilee, the knife can wait until the morning. Yes, I know it’s a knife—I found the receipt when I was looking in your drawer for a stamp.” He lay back down and started to roll over but she stopped him with her hand to his shoulder.

  “You’re a pretty smart man, Bull Swenson, but you don’t know everything. I didn’t wake you up to give you that knife. You can just sit right back up and quit being grumpy.”

  He issued a long-suffering sigh but sat up regardless. “Okay.”

  She climbed out of bed. Dang but the floor was cold.

  “Now what are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to do this right,” she said as she rounded the end of the bed to his side.

  He was running low on patience and she was afraid she might run low on nerve so she
acted quickly. Without further ado, she dropped to one knee and took his hand in hers.

  “Bull Swenson, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?”

  His hand trembled in her grasp and his eyes bored into hers. “If this is a joke, it’s not funny, Merrilee.”

  “I would never joke about this, Bull. You told me the asking would be up to me, so I’m asking.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Never surer.”

  Merrilee was fairly certain everyone in Good Riddance heard him whoop, but instead of sealing her proposal with a tender kiss, the crazy man jumped out of bed past her, leaving her still kneeling. He hurried over to his dresser, yanking open one of the drawers.

  “What in the name of heaven are you doing?”

  “Getting this,” he said, turning around with a jewelry box and envelope in his hand.

  Turning on the bedside lamp, he knelt down on the floor beside her and she figured they must’ve truly looked like two old fools. He thrust the box into her hand. “Open it. Go ahead. Open it.”

  She lifted the hinged lid and gasped. Nestled in velvet, one of the prettiest rings she’d ever seen winked in brilliance. “It’s beautiful…and huge. When did you get this?”

  “About twenty-five years ago. Just before the first time I asked you to marry me.”

  “You’ve had this for twenty-five years? And you never said anything?”

  “You never said yes, but I figured sooner or later you’d come around. It’s certainly been a damn sight later.” He plucked it from the box. “Well, try it on.”

  She held out her hand. “You put it on me.”

  “Don’t mind if I do,” he said, sliding the ring onto her finger. He brought her hand to his mouth, pressing a tender kiss to the back.

  Tears threatened Merrilee and she blinked them away. “It fits perfectly.” She turned her hand one way and then the other, admiring the way it looked.

  “I had it resized last year, you know when you gained a little weight and you had to have your other rings sized up.”

  “Well, the ring is perfect,” she said, getting to her feet. Her knees couldn’t handle kneeling on that cold floor. Nor could Bull’s. “We can talk about setting a date in the morning.”

  He rose, shaking his head, a sly grin on his face. “We’ve already got a date.”

  “How can we have a date when we haven’t even discussed it and I’m the bride?”

  “Because we’re getting married today.”

  “Today?” She started laughing. “We can’t get married today. We have to plan and send out invitations and get a license.”

  “The hell you say. We’re getting married today after the Christmas service.” He tapped the envelope he’d pulled out of his drawer. “Here’s the marriage license.”

  “When did you get that?” She held out her hand for the envelope. Sure enough, it was a marriage license.

  “I got it the day Tad signed those divorce papers.”

  “But—”

  “There’s no but to it, Merrilee. I’m hitching my wagon to yours today before you can change your mind.”

  Any other words of protest died on her tongue. He’d waited for her for twenty-five years. She wouldn’t ask him to wait any longer. “Okay. We’re getting married today.”

  Bull climbed to his feet and crossed to the bedroom window. Raising the window, he leaned out into the early Christmas dark and bellowed, “Merrilee Weatherspoon is going to marry Bull Swenson today after the Christmas service. Everyone’s invited.” He ducked back inside and slammed the window closed. “Someone surely heard that so by morning it’ll be all over town.”

  Merrilee laughed with delight. “You’re crazy.”

  “Yes, I am—crazy about you.”

  “ARE YOU NERVOUS?” Gus asked Merrilee as they waited in the church’s vestibule. Spruce boughs hung with big, fat red velvet ribbons adorned the doors and scented the air.

  “No, honey, I’m just happy. Once I made up my mind and popped the question, well it just felt too right to be wrong.”

  “You look beautiful,” Gus said. “Absolutely beautiful.”

  “You really think so?”

  “No. I know so.” Merrilee was radiant in a soft rose flannel dress trimmed at the collar and cuffs in ecru lace. Jenna had come over earlier in the day and given Merrilee a manicure/pedicure as a wedding gift. “I’m so happy for you, Merrilee.”

  “Thank you, honey. I want you to be happy, too.”

  “I am. I certainly am.”

  “Life is funny the way it seems to come full circle. Your mama stood up for me in my first wedding.”

  Gus had known that but she’d forgotten. The reminder brought tears to her eyes.

  “Well, I’m honored to be here now.”

  “Your mama would be so proud of you. She was always proud of you.”

  “Thank you.” Gus’s throat thickened and she swallowed hard. She would not cry.

  Tessa cracked open the door. “It’s time,” she said. She’d volunteered to photograph the wedding.

  Merrilee nodded and Tessa opened the double doors. The church was packed. Every seat was taken and people stood between the end of the pews and the windows. Even the choir area behind the pulpit was crammed with people.

  “Okay, kid, lead the way,” Merrilee said.

  Gus had been incredibly touched when Merrilee had asked her to stand up as her maid of honor. But she’d been beyond surprised when Bull had asked Nick to stand with him as best man. Bull’s reasoning was Merrilee could ask Gus because she was family but if Bull asked any of the local men, someone was sure to get their nose out of joint and feel slighted over not being picked. So, he’d chosen the out-of-towner, Nick.

  Gus started down the aisle ahead of Merrilee. Bull and Nick waited at the other end. She’d never seen Bull in a suit before. But it was Nick she couldn’t seem to stop looking at and he seemed to be in the same fix.

  It was almost as if everything and everyone else faded away and it was simply her making the trek down the aisle to him. It seemed that every day, every hour her infatuation with him grew and deepened. It was a good thing he was leaving day after tomorrow or she would be in serious trouble.

  She deliberately looked away. Reaching the front of the church she took her spot opposite Bull and Nick and watched as Merrilee made the same trip. You could almost feel the love and devotion passing between Merrilee and Bull.

  The ceremony was short but sweet. Merrilee had wanted to write their own vows and Bull had stubbornly clung to the traditional. They’d compromised with a hybrid. The traditional ceremony was interspersed with a couple of lines Merrilee threw in.

  More than once Gus’s gaze seemed to tangle with Nick’s during the vows and the exchange of rings—Bull had possessed the foresight to buy his own ring all those years ago, as well.

  Mack Darcy, who’d gotten his nondenominational ministerial license through an internet course, wore a big, ear-splitting grin when he said, “You may kiss your bride.”

  Bull, quiet but strong Bull, who was always the rock in the background, wrapped his arm around Merrilee and laid one heck of a kiss on her in the front of that church before God and everyone. When he let Merrilee go, she was flushed. She fanned herself and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “My goodness. I should’ve married you years ago.”

  Mack said, “Ladies and gentlemen of Good Riddance, I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bull Swenson.”

  The church erupted. Everyone stood. There was clapping, shouting and whistling as a beaming Bull and Merrilee made their way back down the aisle.

  Gus leaned over to Mack. “Hey, folks, hey,” he practically yelled to be heard over the noise. The crowd quieted a bit, enough for him to announce, “There’s a reception for Bull and Merrilee over at Gus’s for everyone who wants to come. They understand if you have other plans on Christmas day.”

  Nick appeared at her side, offering his arm. “I believe it’s traditional for the best ma
n to escort the maid of honor.”

  She slipped her arm through his. “I believe you’re right.”

  They started down the aisle and gooseflesh prickled her skin. This felt so natural—walking down the aisle of a church, linked with Nick. She reminded herself she was just being sentimental and emotional. Nonetheless, it still felt achingly right and she couldn’t seem to stem the smile on her face. From the end of one pew, Jenna gave her a big thumbs-up. Next to her, Dalton, with Skye by his side, shot the two of them a knowing smirk.

  Nick chuckled. He’d seen them, as well. “They’re a good group of people.”

  “Yes, they are.”

  Clint was waiting outside in his Suburban, the motor running, to take Nick, Gus and Tessa over to the restaurant ahead of the crowd. Nick and Gus piled in the back, while Tessa took the front.

  “That was wonderful,” Tessa said.

  “Yes, it was,” Clint said. A look passed between him and Tessa, tender and private. Gus deliberately looked out the window so as not to intrude on their moment. Nick took her hand in his, intertwining his fingers with hers. She looked at him and what she saw in his eyes literally took her breath.

  “Everybody ready?” Clint said.

  Gus dropped her gaze, breaking eye contact with Nick, but he didn’t relinquish her hand. “Ready.”

  “I understand you’ve got the spread laid out,” Clint said as he pulled onto Main Street.

  “Gus is amazing,” Nick said. “You won’t believe what she pulled together this morning.”

  Merrilee had called her early with the news, wanting Gus to hear it from her first. Once she got off the phone, she’d hit the ground running, and Nick had run right along with her, pitching in and helping organize.

  “It wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s help.”

  A pale, but recovering Teddy had shown up along with Mavis. Luellen, Tessa, Jenna and Donna had all come knocking, offering to help decorate and do whatever had to be done. Nelson had dropped in long enough to set up the karaoke equipment and then promptly disappeared. He, Skye and Dalton were up to their own mysterious plans.