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My brother Wyatt held his wife’s hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I do. I do,” he repeated for good measure.
My throat was tight. I was happy, in a bone-deep way, for my twin brother. He’d crushed on Rosie for years before he’d been crazy enough to dare her to get a marriage license when they were in Las Vegas.
Roughly a year later, they were still happily married, but they were doing a recommitment ceremony. I glanced around the room to see plenty of teary eyes and lots of smiles. My mother had her palm pressed to her chest.
Rosie said her vows before Wyatt laid a deep kiss on her. The assembled group let up a small cheer. A few moments later, I clapped him on the shoulder as he turned to hand me his jacket. He’d worn a suit and everything. He’d said he wanted to get this seriously right. Wyatt could be a tad superstitious.
“I’m happy for you,” I said, leaning close to his ear.
He glanced over. “Yeah?”
“Well, I was already happy for you because you’re already married,” I teased. “But this is good. You wanted it, Rosie wanted it, and Mom is beside herself. Now, make sure you keep treating Rosie right.”
He flashed a quick grin before he turned his focus back to his beaming wife. The party swung into full gear. The ceremony was at the park down by the harbor. With it being summer, the weather was gorgeous. Of course, that wasn’t always the case, but today, the weather obliged the ceremony with a bright blue sky, sun glittering on the water, and a soft, salty breeze coming off the harbor. The winery restaurant was catering for the reception. Once the ceremony was over, food and drinks flowed.
Tourists milled about nearby as well. Fireweed Harbor was one of Southeast Alaska’s popular travel spots. Boats rolled in and out of the harbor, both fishing and recreational. A raft of otters frolicked near the shoreline and a pair of curious seals watched us as they swam nearby.
“You’re the only one left,” my sister commented from my shoulder.
I glanced over at McKenna. “What do you mean?”
“You have to get married next.”
I stared at her. “I’m in no hurry,” I finally said.
McKenna took a bite of a crab puff. While she was chewing, I stole two of them and popped them in my mouth. “Wow, these are so good.”
“Can’t go wrong with Alaskan king crab and cream cheese,” she said dryly. After finishing another crab puff, she added, “You should be.”
“I should be what?” I countered.
“In more of a hurry to find someone. You’re getting old, Griffin.”
I eyed her. “I’m not old.”
My sister rolled her eyes, just as our oldest brother Rhys stopped beside me.
“McKenna thinks I’m getting old,” I said.
Rhys chuckled. “You’re not.”
Someone from the catering crew stopped by with a question for McKenna, and the party rolled along.
My eyes caught on a bright blue dress. When I turned, I realized the woman wearing it was a woman I’d encountered on the side of the highway once before. Tish. I hadn’t forgotten her name. Awareness sizzled down my spine.
Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun. It was as if she was striving to give off an uptight librarian vibe. Her looks were understated. I couldn’t forget her wide hazel eyes and full sensual mouth, though. My curiosity grew when I saw her say something to one of my brothers. When I headed in her direction, I was caught up in another conversation on the way over. By the time I looked up, she was out of sight.
The party rolled along, and I was just about to depart when there was a surprised scream. My reflexes kicked in, and I quickly followed the sound to realize it was coming from the dock at the harbor. There was a small commotion as I ran in the direction. I got to the edge of the dock and looked down to see Tish in the water, her blue dress billowing up on one side. Her head was bobbing at the surface. I was kicking off my shoes and stripping down to my briefs in a hot minute.
“My dress is caught on something,” she called up. There was a thread of panic in her voice.
I was about to dive in when Wyatt reached my side. “You wait here. There must be a life buoy nearby if we need it. Find it,” I barked in the general direction of my brother and the assembled group.
Alaskan waters were cold, even at the hottest time of year. We needed to get her out as fast as we could. You didn’t swim or surf without a wetsuit here. Hypothermia could set in quickly based on the water temperature.
I braced myself for the jolt of cold as I broke through the surface. My system was electrified, instantly alive. I was close to Tish when I surfaced. “I’m stuck,” she said, her teeth chattering.
