Page 58 of His to Defend

Across the room, Nina caught Ryker’s eye. He raised his shoulders in a shrug and she knew he’d just told the guys about the wedding, too. No doubt he’d take quite a ribbing about getting married, but she knew he wouldn’t care. If it made her happy, it made him happy. And although the only thing Nina needed to be happy was Ryker, she couldn’t wait to celebrate that love.

“This makes you kind of like my cousin,” Kira said. “But I already think of you more like a sister, just like these ladies.” Tears filled her eyes, but she swiped at them. “These babies are making me so emotional. When are you guys going to get married?”

That was a tricky question, because Nina knew the others had been together longer than Ryker and her. As much as she wanted to do it as soon as possible, she also didn’t want to steal anyone’s spotlight by getting married before them. She looked between the women gathered, unsure of how to bring it up. She needn’t have worried, though because it was Chloe who laughed.

“Don’t worry about us.”

“What?” Nina stared at the woman, who was shaking her head.

“I mean,” Chloe said. “If you’re worried about us wanting to get married before you, don’t be.”

The others all shook their heads.

“It’s true, mi amiga. I’m not in a hurry.”

“But you have a baby coming.” Nina looked to Kira, whose stomach seemed to be growing by the minute. “And you have—”

“No interest in putting one more thing on the to-do list,” she finished. “I think I’ll be busy enough with two babies. I don’t need to worry about planning a wedding. Seriously, Nina. If you guys are ready, do it.”

“Oh, what about a Christmas wedding?” Harper clapped her hands. “Think of the trees and the wreaths and…oh, it will be perfect. And maybe Natalia can come back by then.”

“That would be nice,” Nina said and meant it. Before they’d left, Nina had given Natalia a hug and they’d each apologized to the other for anything that may have been said. They might not ever be best friends, but she was Ryker’s sister, and because of that, she’d always be important to Nina. His brother was a different story altogether but he hadn’t been seen or heard from since he’d left the ridge as suddenly as he’d arrived the day of the wedding. But she couldn’t worry about Liam.

“What’s going to be nice?” Ryker and the men had joined the women. He put his arm around her and pulled her close before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Besides living my life with you?”

Nina shook her head and rolled her eyes, but secretly loved it when he said things like that.

“A Christmas wedding.” She watched him closely, but she needn’t have worried. He’d never one time reacted negatively to the idea of marrying her.

He turned and kissed her thoroughly in front of everyone. “If it makes you happy and it means spending the rest of my life with you by my side, I’d marry you tomorrow.”

Her heart flipped with the idea, but Harper interrupted before she could agree to something as crazy as that. “Christmas it is. I can’t wait.”

“I think that calls for cake.” Kade disappeared into the kitchen as Luke and Nash set about refilling everyone’s glasses.

When everything was in place, Axel raised his glass first. “I’d like to be the first to officially welcome you home. You are always welcome here, and I hope you know that Grizzly Ridge will always be your home.”

Nina and Ryker looked at each other for a moment before turning to Axel, but before they could respond a voice from behind them said, “Wow. Thank you.” Everyone turned to see a blonde-haired woman, her curves wrapped tightly in skinny jeans, with tall black leather boots showing off her legs, and a fitted leather jacket unzipped just enough to show off her ample cleavage. She held a helmet under one arm and a bag in the other. “I didn’t expect a party,” she said. “But damn, I think I’m going to like it here.”

The stranger dropped the duffel and put her helmet on the table before grabbing an open bottle of wine and, tipping it to her lips, she drank deeply.

“Whoa.” Luke stepped forward and moved to take the bottle from her hand. “Excuse me, but who exactly are you?”

“Zoe.” It was Chloe who answered. She stepped forward and stood with Luke, but didn’t take her eyes off the stranger. “My sister.”